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SOONERTHON PREP UNDERWAY • 3
BUDGET CRISIS
How OU’s handling a $20 million budget hole, and what it means for students
$10 MILLION: Retirement incentive program If 20 percent of eligible faculty and staff retire in exchange for a lump sum of 75 percent of their salary, the university will save roughly $8.6 million through reductions in salary, accrued paid leave and payroll taxes. OU expects to save an extra $1.2 million by no longer needing to contribute to retirees’ retirement plans, bringing annual savings to just under $10 million.
$10 MILLION: Department cuts The other half of the budget cut will come from restricting hiring and cutting budgets. While OU is currently in a hiring freeze, OU President David Boren said these budget cuts will mark the start of a harsher hiring freeze, requiring a two-step process before a new person is hired or a vacant position is filled.
Retirement plan could affect students Retirement incentives may impact courses JESSE POUND @jesserpound
OU needs dozens of faculty and staff members to retire to make up a budget deficit, raising questions about the quality and availability of classes offered to students in coming years. The Board of Regents approved a plan on Jan. 28 that OU hopes will alleviate $20 million from the university’s budget through a combination of incentivized retirements, hiring restrictions and other departmental cuts. There are 397 employees available for the early retirement program, including 206 faculty members, according to information from OU Administration and Finance. The university expects about 20 percent of eligible employees to retire, which could have a serious impact on classes, said Craig Russell, a human resources professor. “What’s that mean for student graduation rates?” Russell asked. “Are we not going to be able to offer all the sections we need to get everyone graduated in the (time frame) they’re anticipating?”
OU’S NOT ALONE OU is not the first school to implement a retirement incentive plan to alleviate budget pressure. Here are some of the schools OU looked at as it designed the plan: • Indiana University • University of Arizona • Northern Michigan University • University of Utah • Vanderbilt University Source: OU Administration and Finance
WHO’S ELIGIBLE? Full time employees 62 and older who also met OU’s retirement requirements by the end of 2015 are eligible for the program. Source: Board of Regents meeting agenda
“This is just an accountant’s view of cost cutting,” Russell said. According to the Board of Regents meeting agenda, faculty members could conceivably retire and still come back to teach next academic year, but they would have to be part-time employees and make 25 percent or less of their current salaries. Academic units would have to look at hiring adjunct faculty and increasing teaching loads of existing faculty, said Nick Hathaway, the university’s vice president for administration and finance. However, Hathaway said existing faculty won’t be able to take on large amounts of extra work. “I’m not suggesting there’s a lot of ability to do that,” Hathaway said. The university has been hiring adjunct faculty for years, and there may not be enough candidates out there to fill the voids left by retirees, Russell said. “What if they aren’t available?” Russell asked. Following the Board of Regents meeting, OU President David Boren said the university will move some professors around to different departments to fill the gaps. “We might have someone teaching Native American studies that came from history,” Boren
said. The retirements are expected to save about $10 million a year, with the other half of the savings coming from restricting hiring and cutting budgets. “We are taking another $10 million just out of the hide of the departments,” Boren said.
“What’s that mean for student graduation rates? Are we not going to be able to offer all the sections we need to get everyone graduated in the (time frame) they’re anticipating?” CRAIG RUSSELL, HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSOR
Boren said hiring will be much more difficult. He also said the previously existing hiring freeze may not even have deserved to be called a freeze. The university’s administration now gets control over the money freed up when someone leaves a job, making it harder to hire a replacement. In order to hire new people, departments will have to demonstrate that the job is a critical one, Boren said. “They will need a much higher
justification this time,” Boren said. “We’ll only give it if they can afford it and if they absolutely need it, like the building is going to burn down if you don’t get it. It’ll be a hard freeze.” Even if a replacement hire is approved, a new professor may not be able to step in right away. “The hiring of faculty is not something that happens immediately,” Hathaway said. Funding for higher education has been diminishing in Oklahoma and across the country in recent years. Additionally, the state is facing a budget crisis amid plummeting oil prices, which dipped under $30 a barrel last month after hitting $110 a barrel in 2014. “What happens if we’re exactly at this point next year?” Russell asked. Other colleges faced with budget crises, including Oklahoma State University in the 1980s, resorted to vertical cuts, eliminating entire departments or colleges to make the numbers work, Russell said. “At some point, we can’t do this anymore,” Russell said. Anna Mayer contributed to this story. Jesse Pound
RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PLAN by the numbers
397
employees are eligible for the plan: 206 faculty members and 191 staff members
20
percent: the number of eligible employees expected to take the incentivized retirement
75
percent: employees who accept the plan will receive a lump sum payment equal to 75 percent of their salary or the equivalent pay for 1,560 hours of work if they are paid by the hour. The lump sum payment cannot exceed $100,000. Sources: Board of Regents agenda and information from OU Administration and Finance.
jesserpound@gmail.com
Incentives may not attract most faculty Staff members are more likely to retire JESSE POUND @jesserpound
An OU official said he expects more staff members than faculty to take advantage of the university’s new incentivized retirement plan because of other job opportunities in the local economy. Nick Hathaway, the university’s vice president for administration and finance, said it would be harder for some professors to find other jobs than it would be for other staff members, because it would be easier to get another job in the private sector than in academia. “I suspect we might see elevated staff participation, above that of faculty,” Hathaway said.
Hathaway said employees who have previously announced their intentions to retire but have not yet done so will be eligible for the incentivized retirement program. Craig Russell, a human resources professor, said the plan is much less aggressive than similar plans in the private sector. OU’s plan is similar to plans implemented at other universities, Hathaway said. “I don’t think there’s anything that we saw in higher ed that was way more aggressive,” Hathaway said. The plan, which includes a lump sum payment equal to 75 percent of base salary or 1,560 hours of compensation, is not expected to attract most of the eligible employees. Hathaway said the expectation is that around 20 percent of those eligible will accept. “It’s only three-quarters of your
salary. It’s not like they’re offering you lots of money, so I don’t think it’s going to convince anybody to retire except those that have already been thinking about it,” said Robert Griswold, a history professor. Russell said he would not accept the offer even if he was a year older and therefore eligible for the program. “This is not enough of an incentive to make me want to (retire),” Russell said. OU also plans to severely restrict hiring, meaning that those who retire may not necessarily be replaced. Existing searches for faculty members will not be canceled, Hathaway said. OU President David Boren said the university will replace leaving faculty and staff members only in critical roles. “It’s a much kinder way not to
fill vacant lines than have to hire people and then have to fire them because we have no money to pay them,” Boren said. “It’s a much more humane way of dealing with it.” Anna Mayer and Noor Jaffery contributed to this story. Jesse Pound
jesserpound@gmail.com
TIMEFRAME
Feb. 15: Eligible employees will receive retirement information. March 30: Employees must decide whether to participate. June 30-Dec. 23: Retirements are expected to go into effect Source: Board of Regents meeting agenda
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• February 1-3, 2016
NEWS
Page Jones, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
Annual trip in jeopardy Students seek funding approval for El Salvador visit
seeking approval to go over spring break. Event coordinator Mason Moran, a biology junior, said it is important for the group to go to El Salvador because of the established connections it has there with non-governmental organizations like EcoViva and El Mangle. “It’s pivotal to find those already developed humanitarian organizations within a country,” Moran said. It could take around four years to build new connections, he said. Most of the work the student organization does is facilitated through EcoViva and El Mangle, as EcoViva is responsible for the logistics of the trip, such as communication, transportation and lodging. El Mangle is the local organization Sooners Without Borders works with. Huffine said El Mangle is an organization that operates in the Usulutan region to aid veterans of and those displaced by the El Salvadoran Civil War by teaching them about sustainable agriculture. One demonstration the student organization helped El Mangle with was a solar-powered irrigation pump, which they taught students, usually 13 or 14 years old, how to build and operate. “What’s crazy is you’ll meet someone who’s 15 years old and they’ll be the manager of the water treatment facility in this
JESSICA JAMES @jessjames43
Members of an OU student organization are determined to take a spring break trip to a Central American country, but local violence has complicated their plan. Sooners Without Borders is currently seeking approval to go on its annual trip to El Salvador despite the country’s place on the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory list. The mission of Sooners Without Borders, formerly Engineers Without Borders, is “to solve water problems and come up w ith sustainable solutions for water-related health issues in the world,” said Dean Huffine, a civil engineering junior and president of the organization. The organization has done a lot of this work in El Salvador and Haiti in previous years, but it is not focused on one specific area, Huffine said. “We seek places that are hardly reached because of the level of danger that they’re facing, and we aid those that are trying to do positive works in that area,” Huffine said. The organization’s annual November El Salvador trip was canceled due to safety concerns, but it is currently
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MASON MORAN
Sooners Without Borders pose for a photo in El Salvador Nov. 2014. The organization has previously done work in El Salvador and Haiti but is not focused in one specific area.
community, and they’re running it like an adult,” Huffine said. Other projects undertaken by the organization on past trips include topography work, consulting, data collection and releasing sea turtles into the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, a recent increase in gang violence in the capital of San Salvador has landed El Salvador on the travel advisory list, which means the university will probably not officially sponsor the trip, Moran said. “We’re still able to go, we just don’t get university funding, and that’s a big part of helping ... people go on this trip,“ he said. Moran estimates the total cost to be around $1,500 per person, he said. Vice President Taylor Wall, an environmental engineering junior, stressed the safety measures SWB already takes
Jessica James j.james@ou.edu
data from OUPD and Norman PD compiled by Mary Smith, @marysmitty21
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on their trips. “We’re not just roaming around, going to random places,” she said. The staff of EcoViva, which is based in El Salvador, knows which areas are safe and has translators and private drivers. If the organization is unable to get approval, the students are looking into trips over summer break, possibly to Jamaica or Bolivia, Wall said. However, she said El Salvador is still the top priority. “There is a specific energy there ... these people are so willing and so ready to make the change in their community and do something good for the lives of others and their futures and their kids,” Huffine said. “You see it once, you can’t really unsee it.”
Norman, Oklahoma OU Campus and surrounding areas
Boyd Street
Reynolds Center
Catlett Music Center
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Bizzell Memorial Library
Parrington Oval
Campus building Visitor Center
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Oklahoma Memorial Union
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Evans Hall
McCasland Field House
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Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Duck Pond Lindsey Street
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Burglary/intrusion alarm Where: Architecture modeling shop (1425 George Ave.) When: Jan. 26
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Lindsey Street
Theft Where: Housing
area When: Jan. 26 Details: Report made
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Drug violation Where: Couch 7W When: Jan. 26 Details: Marijuana violation; cited and released
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Public intoxication Where: Bizzell Memorial Library When: Jan. 27 Details: Time of citation: 2 p.m.
Economics professor appointed to tax commission by state senator An OU economics professor has been appointed by an Oklahoma state senator to be a member of an Oklahoma tax incentive review commission. Cynthia Rogers, an associate professor in the Department of Economics, was recently nominated as the economist for the Incentive Evaluation Commission. Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, appointed Rogers for this commission on Jan. 27. According to an article from Oklahoma Watch, business tax incentives have reduced state revenue over $335 million per year. The Incentive Evaluation Commission was created with the purpose to set up procedures to review the economic incentives given by the state. The commission will also outline procedures on how these incentives will be reviewed on a regular basis in the future. Rogers said the creation of this commission is a very positive step for Oklahoma. She said this commission will help create a better understanding for the impact that the incentives have on the state. One of the membership composition criteria for the Incentive Evaluation Commission is to have a member that is an economist from a state university. Rogers said she is to serve on the commission as an economist and give her insights based on her academic work and expertise. Rogers has not personally met Bingman but said she is honored to have been appointed to a member of the commission. Shaylin Daji, @ShaylinDaji
Architecture professor awarded for contributions to Oklahoma City An OU architecture professor earned a national award this week for his contribution to the surrounding community, according to a press release. Hans Butzer, the academic director of the OU division of architecture and a founder of Butzer Architects and Urbanism, was given the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture, according to the release. The award was given by the the American Institute of Architects, according to the release. He received this recognition for making prominent contributions to the Oklahoma City area, such as designing the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the SkyDance Bridge and helping revitalize parts of Oklahoma City, according to the release. “We never do it thinking we’ll get recognition…rather we’re doing it to improve the lives of our community,” Butzer said. “It’s important to remember with these awards…that these are all truly collaborative efforts instead of individual efforts.” Butzer began teaching at OU in 2000 and gives his students the opportunity to design plans that could potentially become a reality in Oklahoma City, according to the release. “This award really goes to the city of Oklahoma City, it goes to the University of Oklahoma’s Division of Architecture and to the leaders in the city and to the students … in the Division of Architecture,” Butzer said. “So much of this award really belongs to them.” Mary Smith, @marysmitty21
Governor allocates $1.4 million to support earthquake research
Gov. Mary Fallin announced Thursday she has approved the allocation of about $1.4 million from the state emergency budget to support the efforts of earthquake research in Oklahoma, according to a press release. The funds will be directed to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the Oklahoma Geological Survey, according to the release. “I’m committed to funding research, bringing on line advanced technology and more staff to fully support our regulators as they take meaningful action on earthquakes,” Fallin said in the press release. The Oklahoma Geological Survey is set to receive $1 million, according to the release. Jeremy Boak, director of the survey, said his organization will be enhancing their seismic technology and will begin many geological projects. “We were excited to hear this news,” Boak said. “It’s such exciting news, yet a bit of a scramble to decide how we’re going to make a difference.” Boak said one of their ideas is to add small accelerometers, an instrument that will measure the vibration of a structure, to classrooms around the state. He said they will have students and teachers run and test the data before sending it to the survey. Brianna Sims, @briannana18
OUDaily.com Incidents of crime are selected for the map based on proximity to campus.
To see our full running crime map (featuring crime from both OU and around Norman), visit oudaily.com/ multimedia/data
100%
ou law graduates 90% exceed the statewide 1st-time 74% pass rate by 50%
Results from July 2015 Bar Exam
ou law statewide 0%
February 1-3, 2016 •
NEWS Joe Mussatto Editor in Chief Page Jones News Managing Editor Dana Branham Engagement Managing Editor Brady Vardeman Sports Editor Jessica Barber A&E Editor Supriya Sridhar Special Projects Editor Siandhara Bonnet Visual Editor Mia Chism Copy Manager
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CAC anticipates Soonerthon Annual dance marathon raises money to benefit hospital foundation BRIANNA SIMS @briannana18
OU Campus Activities Council is preparing for Soonerthon, its bigg e s t e v e n t o f t h e y e a r, by fundraising and letting students know how they can help the cause. The dance marathon is a charity event that raised more than $500,000 last year alone. For the past 12 years, CAC has raised money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation Soonerthon Executive Chair Emily DeSantis said there are seven different teams for this event to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible. The most important team is the family relations team, she said. This year the family relations team has the opportunity to work with the 35 Miracle Families who have children that have been or are being treated at the hospital, she said. “This whole event is about making them feel as special as possible,” DeSantis said. “They get a
day where they don’t have to be in the hospital. They don’t have to see doctors. They don’t have to worry about getting better. They just have to enjoy the day with over 2,500 students.” Linzy Hall, the senior development officer for Children’s Hospital Foundation, said the children always look forward to this event. She said the Miracle Children love the spirit tunnel, the hospital bracelet cutting ceremony, the carnival, the talent show, the final reveal and, most of all, dancing all day with OU students. “We hope to again have t h e C E O o f C h i l d r e n ’s Ho s p i t a l a n d O U a l u m Jon Hayes attend as well as (Children’s Hospital Foundation) doctors, board members and community supporters,” Hall said. “The Children’s Hospital Foundation is looking forward to watching the whole OU family come together on one day for one purpose: for the kids.” DeSantis said the operations staff is also special because they work with high schools around the state to help them host their own dance marathons. These high-schoolers are invited to the event in March to see how Soonerthon works.
Panhellenic president talks about position
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PROVIDED BY CHRISTA CHERIAN
Panhellenic Association President Christa Cherian took over from Breanna Bober.
MATT WESLING/THE DAILY
Students celebrate the fundraising reveal for Soonerthon for the Children’s Miracle Network at the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center March 7, 2015. Last year, Soonerthon raised over half a million dollars.
S o o n e r t h o n Programming Chair Jordan Smicklas said there are 18 positions working on different components of the event. The committee members are currently working on preparing all of the parts for the main event so it does not become stagnant, she said. “We have a highly packed schedule to keep people busy so they’re not thinking about being tired or sitting down,” DeSantis said. More people are already registered for Soonerthon than last year, so planners
are making sure they have all of the logistics planned to accommodate more people in the Huston Huffman Fitness Center, Smicklas said. “I think the most exciting thing is that we’re the committee that makes you fall in love with Soonerthon,” Smicklas said. DeSantis said Soonerthon is all about supporting each other as a community as well as supporting fundraising efforts. “Soonerthon is crazy,” she said. “It ’s color ful. It’s fun. It’s high-energy.
It’s about having fun with the Miracle Children who come to these events. We stand for 12 hours because we’re standing for 12 hours for those who can’t. There are so many people who work with these kids on a daily basis, whether those are nurses or family. Sometimes families have to drive 12 hours to get the treatment their child needs.”
New Leader eager to collaborate with organizations within Greek life
resource to help her not only prepare for the upcoming year but collaborate and brainstorm with leaders of other Greek organizations as well. The two-day retreat was held the week before the spring semester started and included the executive council members from Multicultural Greek Council, Interfraternity Council, Independent Greek Council, National Panhellenic Council and Panhellenic Association. T h e p re s i d e n t o f t h e Independent Greek Council, Jaclyn Knierim, said the retreat was a great opportunity for the leaders of the different organizations to get to know each other and talk about their goals for the year. “It was really cool to be able to bounce ideas off each other … everyone was so inclusive,” Knierim said. “There wasn’t a single moment at the retreat that you couldn’t sit down at any table with any group of people and not feel like you belonged.” Cherian said everyone shares the same vision and a lot of the same goals for the year. One of these goals is to collaborate more with all of the organizations within Sorority and Fraternity Student Life, especially when it comes to serving together in a philanthropic setting. “We’re looking to change it up. Instead of just supporting an organization monetarily, we want to try and support them with our labor, too,”
Cherian said. Even though she has only been president for a few weeks, Cherian said she has learned a lot. “I’ve realized it is so important for me to know the answer to why we are doing what we are doing … when I give information to the chapter presidents about a new policy that needs to be implemented, it just makes it easier for them to get behind it and support it when they know why we have these policies or why we are making these changes,” she said. The former Panhellenic president, Breanna Bober, said she thinks Cherian is doing a wonderful job. “I think being on Panhellenic exec last year gave her good exposure to what it would be like to take on this role, and I think that prepared her well,” Bober said. Cherian said some advice she would give to anyone looking to participate in a leadership position within their sorority is to get on a committee. “I would encourage them to talk to the person who currently holds a leadership position they are interested in and ask questions. See if that is a position you would feel comfortable leading in and if you think it is something that would challenge you,” Cherian said.
LAUREN MASSING @LaurenMassing
A new year means new leadership with new ideas and fresh perspectives within Sorority and Fraternity Student Life at OU, and the new Panhellenic president is no exception. International business senior Chr ista Cher ian was elected president of the Panhellenic Executive Committee in November, but officially took over the responsibilities of president at the beginning of January. In order to apply for the position of Panhellenic President, students must have served on Panhellenic exec or been president of an individual chapter. Cherian’s role as vice president of finance last year made her eligible for the position, and her experience in the position led her to run for president. “Having the position of vice president of finance opened my eyes to all the things Panhellenic exec actually does on behalf of all the different chapters and members. It made me realize their impact goes far beyond what we see,” Cherian said. She said the Fraternity and Sorority Student Life leadership retreat was a great
Brianna Sims
Brianna.M.Sims-1@ou.edu
Lauren Massing lmassing@ou.edu
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Incentive pay for early retirement plan will come from reserve fund OU expects to use millions of dollars from a reserve fund to motivate certain faculty and staff members to retire early. Under a plan approved by the Board of Regents Jan. 28, 397 employees are eligible for an early retirement program that is expected to save the university money. If 20 percent of the eligible employees take the deal, the university will pay them about $5.64 million in incentive pay, according to information provided by OU Administration and Finance. The incentive pay will come from reserve funds, said Nick Hathaway, the university’s vice president for administration and finance. This would mean the net savings in year one of the plan would be roughly $3 million in salary, paid leave and payroll taxes in the first year of the program. By 2018, the program is expected to save about $8.6 million through the same measures, according to the provided information. The university expects the plan to save about $1.2 million through other measures, according to the provided information. Jesse Pound, @jesserpound
WILLIAM CLARK GREEN • SAM RIGGS CODY JOHNSON & THE ROCKIN' CJB JASON BOLAND & THE STRAGGLERS MICKY & THE MOTORCARS AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!
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NEWS
• February 1-3, 2016
TED talk gives tips for best life Professor offers advice on how to achieve dreams
LAUREN MASSING @LaurenMassing
An OU-Tulsa professor, humorous blog writer and mom of two shared her tips for getting what you want and achieving your wildest dreams in her TEDxOU talk: “Negotiating Your Life.� Meg Myers Morgan, an Oklahoma native and publishe d author, said her 4-year-old daughter has taught her some invaluable lessons about negotiation. Morgan said she talks to many young women who think they have to give up everything in order to achieve their goals, but that’s not necessarily true. She said something her daughter taught her is one choice does not eliminate another.
“Making one career choice doesn’t mean you can’t pursue another passion or talent,� Morgan said. She elaborated by pointing out that sometimes pursuing two of your goals simultaneously is not only successful, but beneficial. Morgan also said an essential part of getting what you want is to have it all by never giving it your all. “ You physically can’t and emotionally shouldn’t give everything you have to something. Instead, give some of your all to a few things,� Morgan said. More often than not, devoting all of your time and energy to one thing does not end well; other important areas of your life start slipping through the cracks and you will slowly start to lose your mind, she said. The last piece of advice she offered was not to confuse your wants with someone else’s wants.
“Comparison is dangerous,“ she said, “It creates arbitrary metrics for your life and your success.� Focus on your own goals and don’t get side tracked with what everyone else is doing, it will only derail you from your path, she said. In addition to being a college professor, Morgan is the author of “Harebrained: It seemed like a good idea at the time.� Lauren Massing lmassing@ou.edu
Key points from the talk: • Making one choice does not eliminate another. • Pursuing goals simultaneously is not only successful, but beneficial.
“You physically can’t and emotionally shouldn’t give everything you have to something. Instead, give some of your all to a few things.�
• Don’t confuse your “wantsâ€? with someone else’s “wantsâ€?
MEG MYERS MORGAN, OU-TULSA PROFESSOR
TONI KLEMM/TEDXOU OU-Tulsa professor Meg Myers Morgan speaks at TEDxOU on Jan. 29. Morgan said it’s more beneficial to pursue two goals at once rather than putting all of one’s energy into one.
Student shares Audience urged CLASSIFIEDS ways to defeat to be ‘color brave’ J Islamophobia Speaker discusses need to talk about racism’s existence
TED Talk contends understanding key to ending prejudice AMANDA DENG @deng_ali
An OU student presenting at TEDxOU spoke out about how both Muslims and non-Muslims can work to solve Islamophobia in the wake of terrorism. Zainab Shakir, a microbiology senior, discussed the issues that lie behind people’s reactions to terrorist acts and what can be done to diminish harmful prejudice. Shakir recounted her experience as a Muslim and what she and others have gone through since the attack on New York City’s World Trade Center in 2001. “My friends have told me horror stories,� Shakir said. She emphasized how airport security has often held her back for screening, one of several kinds of discrimination she has witnessed. She said because of how they are perceived and
treated, Muslims often hope that whenever news of a possible terrorist attack surfaces the perpetrator is not another Muslim. Shakir said although non-Muslims need to try to understand the roots of terrorism, Muslims also have their own faults reacting to attacks. “I want to tell these deluded keyboard Muslim warriors get your head out of the sand,� Shakir said, referring the claim that ISIS terrorists aren’t really Muslim she said has become common on social media. Shakir said the Islamic declaration of faith is evidence even “bad Muslims� are still Muslim, despite their actions. She concluded her talk by saying that the key to solving the problem of Islamophobia is through attempting to understand what causes individuals to commit acts of terrorism, instead of blaming an entire religion. “Judge people by their actions and not on their faith,� Shakir said. Amanda Deng
amanda.l.deng-1@ou.edu
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Previous Solution
Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard
Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.
DEREK PETERSON @DrPetey15
The annual TEDxOU conference concluded with an impactful talk from Merleyn Bell, art director of OU’s “World Literature Today� and creator of the radio show “Race Matters,� on the topic of race. The theme behind her talk was that people need to strive to be “color brave� rather than color blind. “I know what I will do to be color brave. But what will you do?� she said. She talked about growing up in a white town, going to a white school and reading books about white history from white
authors. “I know for a fact that there was a lot of our shared history that was omitted in my education ‌ But I can’t use that as an excuse,â€? she said. “I hate to burst your bubble, but racism is still alive and well in the United States,â€? she said. “It’s important we acknowledge things we don’t know and move past them. I am still woefully ignorant about the complexities of race.â€? Bell acknowledged that talking about race is not fun, and she compared it to exercising. “You’re not going to know what you’re doing. You’re going to be uncomfortable,. That’s how it will feel. But that’s what we have to do,â€? she said. Derek Peterson
Derek.R.Peterson-1@ou.edu
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker February 1, 2016
ACROSS 1 “___ like old times� 6 “Fear of Fifty� author Jong 11 Endorsing 14 Like draft beer 15 Union group 16 “Anytown, ___� 17 Hold grudges 19 Blazing 20 French wine classification 21 Australian with three toes 22 Doctor’s due 23 Pathetically inept person 27 Cardinal 29 Japanese tie 30 Focal device 32 One-eighth of a piece of eight 33 Faux ___ (blunder) 34 Moved stealthily 36 Latin music type 39 Chancellor von Bismarck 41 Three-tone chord 43 Holierthan-thou 44 Jockey’s controls 46 Like brains and ears 48 Alter ___
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49 The moon in Paris 51 Double negative? 52 One of the Bobbsey Twins 53 Some wrestling holds 56 Prejudice 58 Historic time 59 Alternative to JVC, once 60 Cleo’s killer 61 Butter unit 62 Reason for many surgeries 68 Brunched 69 Disease of cereals 70 Establish as law 71 ___ Altos, Calif. 72 Does a casino job 73 Disney duck DOWN 1 Weep 2 Memphisto-Nashville dir. 3 Heathrow airport listing (Abbr.) 4 Chagall and Antony 5 DNA shapes 6 Architectural annex 7 Propel a boat 8 More frigid and slippery 9 Less agitated 10 Hints at (with “to�)
11 Feeling of satisfaction 12 Basket weaver’s material 13 Appraised 18 Giving off light 23 Deep sleep 24 Diminish in intensity 25 Some purified liquids 26 Small projecting ridge 28 Cotswold cries 31 Descendant or heir 35 Skewered fare 37 Common sweetener 38 Opposite of ecstasy 40 Unwelcome obligation
42 Rejection of a request 45 Emulated a bull 47 Iditarod vehicle 50 Curtain call 53 Country in the Himalayas 54 A Muse 55 ___ different tune (changed one’s mind) 57 State one’s views 63 Costa del ___ 64 “___ a deal!� 65 Shooter’s marble 66 Bar rocks 67 Where bacon is stored?
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For Sale. Ruby Red 2005 Chevy Malibu Classic, good condition, 125,000 miles, call (904) 206-8371 or (405) 310-2237, $5,000 will go fast.
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February 1-3, 2016 •
SPORTS
Brady Vardeman, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/sports • Twitter: @OUDailySports
Summing up the 2015 class A look at the best of last year’s recruits ahead of Wednesday’s National Signing Day
Offense
DILLON HOLLINGSWORTH @DillonJames94
Rodney Anderson – RB Anderson generated plenty of buzz this spring but never got the chance to show what he could do on the field. The Katy, Texas, native had one tackle on special teams before suffering a season-ending leg injury at Tennessee in the second game of the season. Anderson should compete for playing time in the backfield in 2016 and could combine with Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon to create a three-headed attack for the Sooners. Bobby Evans – OT Evans suffered a torn ACL during his senior season of high school and was redshirted by OU in 2015. The highly touted recruit could play a big role in filling the holes on an offensive line that was streaky this season and will lose two of its members to graduation. Dede Westbrook – WR We s t b r o o k m a d e a n
immediate impact as a member of a receiving corps that had been relatively thin behind Sterling Shepard. The junior college transfer hauled in 46 catches and four touchdowns in 2015 and will play a key role as the Sooners try to replace the production Shepard takes with him to the NFL. John Humphrey – WR Humphrey didn’t see any game action for the Sooners in 2015, but he still played a part in their success. He was named the offensive scout team player of the year and could contribute on the field in 2016. Jamal Danley – OT Danley transferred to OU from East Mississippi Community College and played in one game this season. He’ll be in contention for significant playing time on OU’s depleted O-line next season. Cody Ford – OT One young gun who was not called in to shore up this year’s offensive line, Ford was also named offensive scout team player of the year and
should have a shot to play a part on the 2016 squad. Dahu Green – WR Green played in seven games this season but did not catch a pass. He is another wideout who should be asked to help fill the void Shepard leaves behind. Dominique Hearne – OL Hearne is another young offensive linemen who didn’t see any playing time in 2015 but could be asked to play a larger role next season. A.D. Miller – WR Miller played in six games, including one start and caught two passes for 16 yards. His first reception went for 12 of those 16. Dru Samia – OT Samia became the 10th true freshman ever to start at offensive tackle for Oklahoma in the season-opener against Akron and then made eight more starts over the course of the season. He appeared in 12 games for the Sooners and was an integral part of a young offensive line that improved throughout the year.
Neville Gallimore – DT Gallimore was a big get for Oklahoma last off-season and was redshirted in 2015. Gallimore should have a chance to contribute as part of a young group of defensive tackles next season. Ricky DeBerry – LB DeBerry didn’t see action in 2015 but will step into an important role as the Sooners try to replace the depth they are losing at the linebacker position. PJ Mbanasor – CB Mbanasor was called on right away in 2015, getting the first start of his career in the season opener against Akron. The Pflugerville, Texas, native played in 10 games and made two starts, finishing the year with seven tackles and a pass breakup.
WEEKDAY PREVIEW Men’s Basketball 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. TCU Women’s Basketball 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Oklahoma State Source: soonersports.com
BIG 12 BASKETBALL STANDINGS MEN’S 1. Oklahoma (6-2) 2. Baylor (6-2) 3. West Virginia (6-2) 4. Kansas (5-3) 5. Iowa State (5-3) TYLER WOODWARD/THE DAILY Junior wide receiver Dede Westbrook sheds a tackler at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Oct. 24. Westbrook had three catches for 58 yards in the 63-17 victory over Texas Tech.
Defense
CHRISTOPHER MICHIE/THE DAILY The Oklahoma defense swarms a TCU ball carrier in a Nov. 21 game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Johnson transferred from Monroe College and was listed as a four-star recruit by ESPN.
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Will Sunderland – S Sunderland played in eight games this season, picking up three tackles. He made his debut against Akron and saw playing time in big games against TCU and Baylor. Marquise Overton – DT Overton made an impact this season, playing in eight games and collecting five tackles along the way. He picked up his first career sack against Kansas State. Kahlil Haughton – S Haughton played in 12 games and picked up eight tackles, including half a sack. Will Johnson – CB Johnson, another junior college transfer, found a home with the Sooners at nickelback. He made three starts and played in 11 games, collecting 14 tackles — three
6. Texas (5-3) 7. Kanas State (2-6) 8. Texas Tech (2-6) 9. Oklahoma State (2-6)
for loss — and a pass breakup. Prentice McKinney – S Mckinney played in five games this season, including Baylor, and came away with two tackles and a pass breakup. Gabriel Campbell – DE Campbell, a Yazoo City, Mississippi, native, redshirted in 2015. Arthur McGinnis – LB McGinnis is another recruit who redshirted in 2015 but is expected to compete for playing time this coming season with the departures of Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander. Antoine Stephens – DB Stephens, a Dallas, Texas, native, redshirted in 2015. Kenneth Mann – DE Mann, a Burleson, Texas native, redshirted in 2015.
10. TCU (1-7)
WOMEN’S 1. Texas (9-1) 2. Baylor (8-1) 3. Oklahoma State (6-3) 4. Oklahoma (6-3) 5. West Virginia (5-4) 6. Kansas State (4-5) 7. TCU (4-6) 8. Iowa State (3-6) 9. Texas Tech (2-8) 10. Kansas (0-10) Source: Big12sports.com
Special teams Dalton Wood – ATH Wood has an intriguing story for an athlete who didn’t show up for fall camp and isn’t on the roster now. His recruitment process has been a whirlwind since signing day, but he is expected to finally appear on OU’s campus this spring.
Austin Seibert – K, P Seibert arguably had the greatest impact of his entire recruiting class. The freshman won both the placekicking and punting jobs and was stellar in his rookie campaign. He played in 13 games, converting 18 of his 23 field goal attempts and 70 of his 72 extra point tries. He was even better as a punter, averaging
42 yards on his 57 kicks and pinning 23 of them inside the 20 yard line. He was named Second Team All-Big 12 at kicker and punter, and was an honorable mention at punter for Sports Illustrated’s All-American list. Dillon Hollingsworth dillon.j.hollingsworth-1@ou.edu
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TYLER WOODWARD/THE DAILY Freshman kicker Austin Seibert kicks an extra point against Tulsa at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Sept. 19. Seibert was named Second Team All-Big 12 at kicker and punter.
@OUDaily @OUDailyArts @OUDailySports
Sooners hope to land five-star linebacker on signing day OU isn’t among the top-25 recruiting classes, according to Rivals and 247 Sports, but the Sooners have a chance to make a splash on Wednesday’s National Signing Day. CALE PADGETT @Diesel1055
The recruit on almost ever y O U fan’s mind is Caleb Kelly, the No. 3 outside linebacker in the country, who could immediately set foot on campus as a starter. The Fresno, California, product is a five-star recruit and ranked as one of the nation’s top 25 players. Kelly, a U.S. Army All-American, is set to decide between OU and Notre Dame. Kelly w o u l d b e O U ’s b i g g e s t defensive recr uit since Jamarkus McFarland in 2009 and the Sooners’ first
What to watch for five-star commitment since Joe Mixon two years ago. Parrish Cobb is a fourstar cornerback who has b e e n c o m m i tte d to O U since August but now plans to decide on signing day between OU and Baylor. Cobb is a dynamic playmaker who could be used on either side of the ball and as a kick returner. Many trends, however, have the Waco, Texas, native flipping to his hometown school. The Sooners hope to keep Cobb after Zack Sanchez left early for the NFL draft. OU recently offered Kyzir
White, a four-star safety and West Virginia commit. While all indications are that White is firm to West Virginia, he could possibly flip to the Sooners on signing day. The Sooners have laid out a late offer for recent Mississippi State commit and three-star receiver Zach Farrar. Many think the Southlake Carroll star might flip to the Sooners. Farrar averaged almost 20 yards per catch this past season for 1,114 yards and 19 TDs. The 6-foot-4, 205pound receiver is a quick riser up many recruiting
boards and could offer immediate help to a receiving group that has lost two starters. One-time Oregon commit and Sachse, Texas, native Jared Mayden recently announced he will be deciding between OU and Alabama on signing day. The four-star cornerback would be OU’s top-ranked commitment if he decides to come to Norman. Mayden is a consensus top-150 recruit nationally and might have a chance to make an immediate impact in the secondary.
Fun facts MATT WESLING/THE DAILY Coach Bob Stoops runs onto the field before kickoff at the Akron game Sept. 5. Big names to watch for signing day include Parrish Cobb, Kyzir White, Zach Farrar, Jared Mayden and Caleb Kelly.
OU has nearly as many commits from North Carolina as it does from Texas. The Sooners already have three commits from
Lackawanna Community College in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a 21-hour drive from Norman and the setting of “The Office.” OU hasn’t had a top 10
recruiting class since 2010, Ke n ny St i l l s a n d Ty r u s which is also the last time Thompson. Alabama did not have the No. 1 class. Members of that 2010 class included Cale Padgett Tony Jefferson, Blake Bell, cpadgett@ou.edu
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• February 1-3, 2016
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Jessica Barber, a&e editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/a_and_e • Twitter: @OUDailyArts
Professor’s work ‘cutting-edge’ Ballet instructor shares background with choreography CHLOE MOORES @chloemoores13
Ballet professor Ilya Kozadayev uses his international dance experience and choreographic pursuits outside of OU to give students a taste of the professional world. Kozadayev was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, to parents who were dancers and studied at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, made famous for its method of classical ballet training, he said. “I was 11 years old when I moved to the U.S. I went on to the New York School of Ballet, and my parents ended up training me after a year of (The School o f A m e r i c a n B a l l e t ) ,” Kozadaye v said. “ Then I finished my training in Germany with a professor that came from Russia.” Kozadayev spent 17 years dancing professionally before retiring three years ago. Some of those years were spent performing in theatres like The Wilshire in Moscow, the David H. Koch Theatre in Lincoln
Center and some big stages in Japan, he said. Clara Cravey Stanley, associate director of dance, first met Kozadayev when she was running Houston Ballet Academy. Kozadayev was a dancer there, she said. He was finishing up his masters degree in choreography when he applied for a position at OU three years ago. “He is what I would call a cutting edge choreographer. He’s worked with some of the finest choreographers in the business,” Stanley said. “You don’t get any finer, someone that’s been a professional and has all that richness to build on and go take to the next generation of dance.” As part of Kozadayev’s research, he choreographs commission work outside OU. Over winter break, he choreographed a piece that opened Jan. 30 for Festival Ballet Providence in Rhode Island. “In the business, and for the most part, we like to say it takes about an hour to create a minute, and that’s just conceptually,” he said. “The rewarding aspect is you see your ideas realized, and the rewarding aspect for me is the movie actually stops playing inside my
“He pushes us to be better every single day. To have someone who cares enough to make you work — his passion is evident. I’ve really enjoyed just talking with him, because he is such a wealth of knowledge, information and professional experience. ” CAMERON MORGAN, BALLET PERFORMANCE SENIOR
head and starts playing out live.” Ko z a d a y e v ’s c h o re o graphic work outside the university allows him to gauge the talent students at OU possess, Stanley said. “I think he’s in pretty high demand right now as a choreographer. He’s trying really hard to do his job here and do outside things as well,” she said. “You can find a lot of good dancers and a lot of good teachers, but you don’t always find really good choreographers.” Cameron Morgan, a ballet performance senior, ha s t a k e n m e n ’s b a l l e t and technique class with Kozadayev, worked on his final thesis project entitled, “Harmonic Inspirations,” served as a TA for his understanding dance class a n d i s c u r re n t l y w o r king on a piece Kozadayev ha s c h o re o g rap h e d f o r Contemporary Dance Oklahoma, he said. “It’s really neat to see a teacher who’s at the top of their game and can demonstrate what he wants you to do,” Morgan said. “He’s very strict — no nonsense. He said, if he wants you to do it, then he gets it out of you, and that’s what’s really fun about working with him.” Kozadayev gives Morgan honest advice about what the professional world is like and encourages him to keep his options open after graduation, he said. “He pushes us to be better ever y single day. To have someone who cares enough to make you work — his passion is evident,” Morgan said. “I’ve really
SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE OU ballet professor Ilya Kozadayev (right) choreographing a piece for Up Close on Hope in October 2014. Kozadayev danced professionally for 17 years and performed with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Colorado Ballet, Boston Ballet and Houston Ballet.ere.
enjoyed just talking with him, because he is such a wealth of knowledge, information and professional experience.” Watching his students pursue a successful career after college is rewarding from a selfish point of view, Kozadayev said. “It tells you that you’ve done somewhat of a good job with the students, and it’s always great and
rewarding to see you can pass on your passion, your love, your inspiration and see all your hard work turn into something realized, a career,” he said. Chloe Moores margaret.c.moores-1@ou.edu
Video games to aid students
• Born in St. Petersburg, Russia • Spent 17 years dancing professionally before retiring • Choreographed a for the Festival Ballet in Providence, Rhode Island
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS Monday
OU’s K20 Center introduces gamebased learning
What: UPB Daily: Putt Putt for Parking Enjoy playing in a free putt putt skills competition to try and win a parking pass for the Union parking garage. Where: Oklahoma Memorial Union, First Floor When: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
MAX ROOT
@MaxwellDallas
The K20 Center at OU strives to increase technological learning techniques for college students through video games. Established in 1996, the K20 Center is dedicated to the research and development of innovated learning. In 2005, the center entered into the world of gamebased learning. While many ignore video games as an educational tool due to a negative stigma associated with gaming, they can be extremely useful systems to teach students of all ages. “So imagine there is a best path through a game,” said Scott Wilson, associate director of innovative technology. “This best path poses to each player a challenge, scenario, question or problem, and there is a best answer to that question. If the student goes down a wrong path, now it is up the game designer to first have the system recognize the player’s decision and diagnose what type of error the player committed. If they committed error type A, then we address this misconception by providing additional information on topic one. Thus, the student can get back to the main path.”
Ilya Kozadayev:
What: CASH (Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub) This is the last day to submit your applications for all OU scholarships for this academic year. Where: Apply online at http://www.ou.edu/scholarships. html When: 11:59 p.m.
Tuesday What: UPB Mid-Day Music Come listen to live music while you are grabbing a bite to eat at the Union, presented by the Union Programming Board. Where: Oklahoma Memorial Union, Will Rogers Food Court When: Noon to 1 p.m.
SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY International business sophomore Tyler Amburgey and art sophomore Jordan Satepauhoodle play Rock Band in Couch Center Nov. 9. The K20 Center aims to teach students of all ages, even through video games.
Through these games, students can learn calculus, budget management, geography, bioscience and more. These aren’t just badly disguised math lessons — they are fully interactive, thoughtful games that implement learning in subtle ways. “Perfect Strain,” for example, is a game that teaches students about evolution and natural selection, and instead of reading chapters of a book, its players attempt to stop a deadly, apocalyptic virus. O t h e r ga m e s i n c l u d e “McLarin’s Adventures,” “Pathways,” “Macbeth,” “Me and Energy” and more. To help combat difficult classes within a degree, OU implemented a Virtual Learning Experiences
project in 2014. “(The project) worked to identify (rigorous courses within a degree path that some students find especially challenging) and work with leading instructors to develop a GBL experience around either a foundational concept or especially challenging topic,” Wilson said. The K20 center is transforming the educational system. It is attempting to change the way people learn by implementing technology to aid teachers and professors. Through a five-phase system, K20 teaches superintendents, teachers and parents the importance and uses of their education, and then teaches the students how to use the games at
hand. Although it is not traditional learning, K20’s education is a system that could be incorporated into schools everywhere. Spanning all age ranges, K20 has a game for each need. “The student doesn’t feel like he or she is slower or less knowledgeable than their classmates, but they get the extra support they need,” Wilson said. More information regarding the K20 Center can be found on its website: k20center.ou.edu.
What: Tuesday Tea Come get some tea and treats and socialize with your peers. Where: Collings Hall lobby When: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. What: Lecture by Mateo Mohammad Farzaneh Presented by the Iranian Studies Program, Farzaneh, a professor at Northeastern Illinois University, will lecture over “Shiite Clerics and Political Modernization in Iran.” Where: Hester Hall, Room 145 When: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday What: UPB Mid-Day Music Come listen to live music while you are grabbing a bite to eat at the Union, presented by the Union Programming Board. Where: Oklahoma Memorial Union, Will Rogers Food Court When: Noon to 1 p.m.
Max Root maxdallasroot@gmail.com
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5% Discount for OU Students and Staff Quiet Neighborhood Pets Welcome Internet, Cable, Trash, and Water All Included Conveniently Located Just 2.5 Miles Off Campus