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HOME? OU’s estimated attendance is lowest in Lon Kruger era
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JOHN WALKER • @JTW2213
ith one game remaining, Oklahoma is nearing the end of a nightmare season in the Lloyd Noble Center — both on the court and in the stands. The Sooners boast just 10 wins, and the OU faithful have been largely absent in comparison to recent seasons. OU’s attendance, at an average estimation of 5,312 fans per home game, is likely to be the worst of the Lon Kruger era. There’s one obvious cause — the Sooners are heading into their season finale at 10-19, tied for the most losses in program history and the worst win percentage in 26 years — but other issues like market share and player anonymity have loomed for years. There’s a solution to this problem, and it could be coming in the form of OU’s top-25 recruiting class led by Norman North’s Trae Young. But first, it’s important to understand the root of the issue. THE SITUATION Fans made their way inside the LNC on a brisk Saturday afternoon in January. Inside, the Sooners were hoping to prevent a three-game skid against the Florida Gators. Fans filled the seats in bunches, with the student section in full force. The arena hosted an estimated 7,970 for the Big 12/SEC Challenge, the most-attended men’s basketball game of the season — but they didn’t stay long. Oklahoma had its worst performance of the season. The Sooners shot 28 percent and recorded 12 turnovers to just four assists en route to a 84-52 loss against the Gators, the worst defeat at home in 95 years. Fans started to leave in droves when Florida opened with a 7-0 run to begin the second half. First the student section left, then the rest of the crowd followed. By the time “Live on, University” echoed through the LNC after the final buzzer, the building was abandoned save for a faithful few with their index fingers held high. Oklahoma amassed an estimated 7,210 in its subsequent home game against Oklahoma State, the lowest gathering for Bedlam in five years. The team hosted No. 13 West Virginia in early February to an estimated 4,663 in the stands, the lowest attendance number featuring a ranked opponent in the past eight seasons. As the turnout becomes sparser, people start to notice. This is the current state of Oklahoma basketball. PLAYER ANONYMITY Former Sooner Buddy Hield came a long way in his four years at OU, improving from eight points per game as a freshman to 25 as a senior, picking up a pair of Big 12 Player of the Year trophies on the way. As Hield matured, OU fans took notice and streamed into the LNC. Estimated attendance numbers improved each year Hield was at OU. Perhaps his ticket to local stardom occurred in the final home game of his junior season, where he played
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hero with a buzzer-beating tip to defeat No. 9 Kansas, giving the Sooners a rare win against the Big 12 powerhouse. Hield then sprinted to the other side of the court to celebrate with the student section — etching himself as a fan favorite in Norman. Hield’s heroics played out in front of a sold-out arena on national television. The following season, the estimated attendance rose 1,578 fans on average. Hield traveled back as an NBA player in early December. “I have so much respect for the people of Oklahoma,” Hield told reporters in the locker room following his 16-point outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “You know, this is home for me.” The LNC drew an estimated audience of 7,928 per game in Hield’s senior season. It was the highest estimated home attendance average in six years, when eventual No. 1 NBA Draft pick Blake Griffin wore crimson and cream. The Griffin-led Sooners ran through the competition en route to the Sooners’ first 30-win season since 2001-02. Oklahoma went 16-1 at home, winning by an average of 17 points per game, averaging more than 8,600 estimated fans at the LNC. “My time at OU will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am so grateful to the fans and the university for all of their support throughout my career,” Griffin said in a statement following the announcement of his jersey retirement. But OU had its largest attendance lulls when future NBA prospects were not around. When the team became anonymous, attendance dropped. “Nobody is going to sign to a 10year contract here in terms of student athletes. We’re accustomed to rapid turnover,” said senior associate athletic director Kenneth Mossman, who supervises marketing and communications for the OU Athletics Department. “Our focus is to build allegiance to our programs and I feel that’s often been our focal point.” Kruger came in and shaped the team into a 20-win team in his second season, posting a 12-2 home record in 2012-13, and the team appeared in its first NCAA Tournament appearance since Griffin was on campus. But its biggest draw was Romero Osby and Steven Pledger. That accumulated approximately half-capacity inside the LNC despite its most successful season in four years. When the Sooners has collegiate stars, attendance follows. But without the presence of a marketable figure, the LNC struggles to hit half-mass. Even if they’re winning. MARKETABILITY On gameday, the men’s basketball program welcomes coaches, high school recruits and parents of basketball players up the southeast entry of the LNC. Attendees are ushered into Legacy Court, which greets fans with a host of Sooner basketball memorabilia,
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Freshman forward Matt Freeman attempts to block Northwestern States’s sophomore forward Ishmael Lane’s pass Nov. 13, 2016. Attendance for the men’s games has been the lowest since coach Lon Kruger’s arrival at OU.
including banners, trophy cases and a 100-year timeline of the program’s highest achievements. But there’s one conspicuously absent from Legacy Court — the 201617 Oklahoma Sooners.
“If people become attached, they’re more likely to come to the game. And they haven’t been able to get attached to anything.” MARCUS WOODARD, FATHER OF JORDAN WOODARD “I don’t think they embraced the team this year,” said Marcus Woodard, father of senior Jordan Woodard, as he waved his hand around the interior of the southeast entrance, emphasizing the absence of current Sooner players around the area. “You see this?” said Jordan Woodard’s mother, Petra, as she held up her OU-West Virginia ticket, only imaged by the arena’s seating chart. “Last year, it was players’ pictures on the ticket.” This time last year, and for the past few seasons, former players Isaiah
OU men’s basketball attendance
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Cousins, Ryan Spangler and Hield were plastered everywhere. The senior trio and the program’s #takeNOTICE slogan could be found on posters, wall spreads, media guides and other purchasable memorabilia. This season, it’s Rashard Odomes. Except not really. It’s his jersey number, stitched with the No. 1 across the midsection. Purposeful enough to say the team works #AsOne. But his face is not in the picture. Neither are his teammates. “You got a person that’s headless on a big ol’ board out there,” Marcus said. “And on the posters, it’s a headless person,” Petra adds. “They don’t really get to know and connect with players like they forced the issue last year.” Even Woodard has not received the level of promotion as his former teammates this time last season. “You have seniors, you got players that have been here four years and they’re on the back of a media guide,” Marcus said. “I’ve never seen that before.” Kruger has tried to make his program fan-friendly regardless of the star power he has. “I think coach Kruger and his staff have helped us a lot in terms of making our program accessible. I mean every practice is open everyday,” Mossman said. “You can talk to any player you want to, most any time you want to. The ability to get familiar that particular team is probably as good as it gets in the country.” But this season, the fans have been fed headless posters and have failed to flock to the LNC. “You seem like they would push that more this year because they’ve got so many freshmen and that would be a way for (fans) to familiarize themselves with the faces,” Marcus said. “But it hadn’t been like that this year.” Without that connection, the incentive to attend is diminished. “If people become attached, they’re more likely to come to the game,” Marcus said. “And they haven’t been able to get attached to anything.” SHARING THE MARKET OU alumna Melanie Hall is an avid basketball fan. The 1979 graduate has purchased season tickets for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams for many years. Hall feels like there’s no replacement for witnessing live basketball action. “Most could watch the game on TV, but I enjoy watching the players
play in person,” Hall said. But she can’t help but to feel dissatisfied when looking around the arena where the LNC has measured below half-capacity in eight men’s basketball home games this season. Hall has a theory on why she sees more crimson-colored seats than spectators on game days. “I think the Thunder games have affected that since people have season tickets there, as well,” Hall said. The Oklahoma City Thunder, established in 2008, has been the premier attraction in downtown Oklahoma City. The Thunder has posted a perfect home attendance average for the past six seasons. This season, the 10-19 Sooners are clashing for viewership with the electric Russell Westbrook, a threat to post a triple-double every night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The LNC has lost an average of 798 fans when the Sooners and Thunder have played on the same day this season. It’s been even more of a problem in the past. Over the last six years, the Sooners have lost 1,501 fans when competing with Thunder home games. But while the Thunder is the newest threat to attendance at the LNC, it’s far from the only one. A stroll down Jenkins Avenue gives the best representation of the hierarchy of sports in Norman, Oklahoma. Near the Lindsey-Jenkins intersection is the Gaylord FamilyOklahoma Memorial Stadium, where five bronze Heisman statues watch construction crews put the finishing touches on an estimated $160 million in stadium renovations. Farther south on Jenkins, the LNC is much less glamorous. No statues. No exterior signs of accomplishments — just a bowlshaped multipurpose center built in 1975. The arena seats 11,562, placing eighth in the Big 12 Conference. Football is the athletic department’s main moneymaker. It’s why OU football coach Bob Stoops is the state’s highest-paid public employee and why the university’s Board of Regents granted a contract extension to Stoops to crystallize this fact through 2021. This was done for good reason: Last year, the Associated Press named OU the No. 2 football program of all time. And the fans have been there to support it. The football program boosts excellence in prestige, focus among the Athletics Department and fan interest that not only flexes superior to
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• March 2-5, 2017
NEWS
Andrew Clark, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
The Big Event registration to close Friday, aims for 6,000 total sign ups The opportunity to register to participate in the OU annual day of volunteering will end this week. Volunteer registration for The Big Event closes Friday and can be completed through the event’s OrgSync form. On the form, participants must provide information such as contact information and which organization they will be a part of, if any, and sign a talent release form and waiver. This year is the 18th anniversary of the event, which is scheduled for April 1. To encourage students to volunteer, The Big Event office is hosting The Big Event Awareness week, which began Tuesday, and has included free food, a mural for those volunteering to put handprints upon and therapy dogs, according to a Big Event tweet. Christine Robb, chemical engineering and finance junior and The Big Event chair, said the goal is to have more than 6,000 people sign up, and the event is on track to reach that goal. Robb said there are about 180 job sites this year. Macy Muirhead, creative media productions senior and vice chair of public relations for The Big Event, said job sites range from peoples’ homes to churches, schools and parks, among other places. The OU Graduation Office, Earth Rebirth and Lake Thunderbird are a few of this year’s sites, Muirhead said. “Our mission, really just besides helping the community and giving back, is to allow students to have the opportunity to really find what service means for them and what they can do on a personal level. And so one of our ultimate goals is for students to find service opportunities and job sites that they can participate with year-round,” Robb said. Daisy Creager,@daisycreager
New SGA legislation alters election details, takes effect immediately
The OU Undergraduate Student Congress passed legislation changing how filed grievances are handled during Student Government Association elections, among other things, at its meeting Tuesday. The SGA Election Board chair will now label filed grievances as made in “good faith” or “bad faith” and will decide how to deal with each grievance accordingly. Other changes include making elections a week earlier, increasing the pay for those directly involved in running elections and allowing names of those who file grievances to be seen throughout the election process. Abbey Taylor, one of the authors of the bill and the SGA Election Board chair, said the changes are necessary and are coming after several SGA elections that have been plagued with extremely high numbers of grievances filed with no merit, intended only to get other campaigns in trouble. “I think it’s essential because we have had people targeting campaigns and being nasty,” Taylor said. “If there is a real concern, then we want to know, but we also want to recognize when people are attacking others.” Taylor said there were 50 grievances filed last semester, and fewer than 10 were upheld. Students will still be able to turn in information regarding different campaigns and potential issues to the Election Board informally through a different online form on OrgSync, but it will not be classified as a grievance, Taylor said. The bill passed with 32 votes in favor and one vote against. The changes will be implemented in all upcoming elections. Also at the meeting, student funds were allocated to the Russian Club and Green Week, among other student organizations. A resolution thanking Molly Shi Boren for her work at OU was passed as well. For full coverage of Tuesday’s meeting, visit oudaily. com. Kayla Branch, @kayla_branch
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Undergraduate Student Congress chair Kaylee Rains speaks about the “It’s On Us” campaign Thursday. The campaign focuses on sexual assault awareness.
Awareness campaign to launch at OU in April ‘It’s On Us’ targets sexual assault on college campuses KAYLA BRANCH @kayla_branch
The OU Student Government Association will introduce a new sexual assault awareness campaign in the coming months. Undergraduate Student Congress chair Kaylee Rains said she decided to bring the nationwide “It’s On Us” campaign to OU after hearing about an initiative to bring it to all Big 12 Conference schools at a conference for Big 12 student government associations in November 2016. Former Vice President Joe Biden started the “It’s On Us” campaign to specifically target sexual assault on college campuses. “Normally, each college will start its own group or committee, and they will host events and have drives and get people to take the ‘It’s On Us’ pledge, which is basically saying: ‘It’s on me, and I will stand up for victims’ rights, and I will stand up if I see something that could lead to sexual assault,’” Rains said. Rains said the legislation to get a committee set up through SGA will hopefully be finished before spring break, allowing the committee time to plan an event for sometime in April, which is sexual assault awareness month.
“I want to form a committee because that will be through SGA so it can be codified and always have someone in a leadership position,” Rains said. “There was an effort to bring this to campus in 2013, but it fizzled out, so having it under SGA as a committee that works together but is open to all students will make it more sustainable throughout the years. ... I don’t want to start this while I’m here and then have it fizzle out.”
“I feel like this generates a lot of conversation, and that is part of the intent to get people talking about these issues that are sometimes uncomfortable for people to talk about.” KATHY FAHL, GENDER + EQUALITY CENTER DIRECTOR
There will be opportunities for the “It’s On Us” campaign, the OU Gender + Equality Center and the Title IX office to work together while still maintaining their own campaigns, said Kathy Fahl, director of the GEC. “I feel like this generates a lot of conversation, and that is part of the intent to get people talking about these issues that are sometimes uncomfortable for people to talk about,” Fahl said. “But, nothing will change if we don’t have a
conversation.” Bobby Mason, the university’s equal opportunity officer and Title IX coordinator, said the “Not On OUr Campus” campaign will continue its own methods to raise awareness and train faculty, staff and students on how to be active bystanders. “I think having more awareness in any form is good, so having a student campaign and then an official university campaign is a good thing,” Mason said. “So we will support them in their mission, but we will continue to do our thing, as well.” Mason said the “Not On OUr Campus” campaign was originally targeted at fighting sexual assault, but after the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity scandal in March 2015, the phrase opened up to being used to combat all types of issues, including racism and sexism. Rains said she supports the mission of the “Not On OUr Campus” campaign, but is glad to soon have a campaign focused solely on students taking on the responsibility of preventing sexual assault and to make those who have been affected by sexual assault feel safe. “I think that their campaign is great, and I value what they do, but I think sometimes with saying, ‘Not on our campus,’ if a victim heard that, it could be off-putting to think that, ‘Well, this happened to me, so it is on our campus,’” Rains said. “So I think having a group and their saying ‘It’s On Us’ specifically
will be really beneficial.” Fahl said the impact of awareness campaigns on campus is part of a larger goal. “I think this is all part of the big picture,” Fahl said. “We invest a lot of time in social norms — around the idea that people should be active bystanders and understand what consent and incapacity is. So if we can continue to remind and have visual reminders or intentional pledges, it continues to push us all in the direction of changing those norms to a positive.” Kayla Branch
kaylabranch@ou.edu
IT’S ON US PLEDGE I PLEDGE: To RECOGNIZE that non-consensual sex is sexual assault. To IDENTIFY situations in which sexual assault may occur. To INTERVENE in situations where consent has not or cannot be given. To CREATE an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.
Source: itsonus.org
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March 2-5, 2017 •
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Andrew Clark, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
Hacking the way to success OU students build apps, compete in tech conventions JESSE POUND @jesserpound
Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are their own and not necessarily the views or opinions of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board.
When Shreya Patel tells her friends that she is spending her weekend at a hackathon, she often finds herself scrambling to describe the event and calm their fears. “People always assume that it’s, like, an event to hack into things,” said Patel, economics senior. “The term ‘hacking’ is used more in the computer science community, I guess, ‘hacking’ as, like, make a hack to solve a problem ... I have to explain what it is.” Hackathons are intensive tech entrepreneurial sessions, with teams racing to design programs or apps while competing for thousands of dollars in prizes. Patel has helped design two apps and program a personality for a Jibo robot, with the most recent app earning her a third place finish and business overtures from interested companies. She will attend her fourth hackathon this weekend at the University of Texas at Dallas campus, and — for the first time — she will not be the only OU student there. She found several other OU students interested in hackathons, which are open to everyone regardless of coding experience. Now a mixture of green and veteran, OU hackers will have 24 hours to form teams with students from other schools, build products and win prizes in Dallas. “You learn a lot while you’re there, but you also learn how to pitch your product, which I think is really important ... There’s the stereotype that programmers don’t have social skills and stuff like that, so I think this really helps, forces people to be social and learn how to pitch their product well,” Patel said. The competition has a career fair-feel to it as well, with representatives from companies like Facebook, Dell and Pfizer there to meet students. The companies often have
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SGA seeks to grant honorary degree
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OU student leader creates petition to recognize Anita Hill ANNA BAUMAN @annabauman2
An OU student leader is working to grant an honorary degree to former OU law professor Anita Hill in recognition of her work for women’s equality and rights. St u d e nt G ov e r n m e nt Association President J.D. Baker said he created a petition for students to endorse Hill’s nomination because he thinks she deserves acknowledgment from her home state for her work. “I think she is a very worthy person, if you look at her legacy and love for the state (of Oklahoma) and the influence she has had on our nation,” Baker said. “I think it ’s honorable, and I think she should be recognized.” Hill, a native Oklahoman, became a c h a m p i o n o f w o m e n ’s rights and equality in 1991 when she testified against Su p re m e C o u r t Ju s t i c e Clarence Thomas for sexual harassment in the workplace during Senate judiciary committee hearings. Hill worked for Thomas in the United States Department of E d u c a t i o n ’s O f f i c e o f Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and she later became the first tenured
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Economics senior Shreya Patel displays stickers she has collected at hackathons on her laptop Monday. Patel has been to three hackathons.
contests specific to their products, and the representatives can offer advice to the students and watch them work together.
“They would rather work on their project than sleep because there’s such a big adrenaline rush and they keep giving you coffee and energy drinks. You can’t sleep even if you wanted to.” SHREYA PATEL, ECONOMICS SENIOR
“It’s a really good growing opportunity, not just for computer science majors,” said John Tran, computer science sophomore who has been to hackathons at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Michigan State University. “It’s also good for any major, basically, because it teaches you how to
A f r i ca n -A m e r i ca n p ro fessor at the OU College of Law in 1989. She now teaches at Brandeis University as a professor of law, public policy and women’s studies. Baker said he felt compelled to recognize her for her stance against sexual harassment because of his own feminist beliefs that women are equal and should not have to face discrimination. Baker said though the petition is not a required par t of the nomination process, he created it to allow students to voice their support for the action. His goal is to receive 1,992 signatures, in reference to the year that was labeled “Year of the Woman,” due in part to the attention Hill brought to the issue of women’s representations and rights, Baker said. Baker said he has yet to file the formal nomination, which must include a complete biographical sketch of the nominee and at least three letters of endorsement, according to a memorandum regarding honorary degrees from the senior vice president and provost. According to the memorandum, honorary degrees are awarded “in recognition of outstanding contributions to the welfare and/or enrichment of the University, state, nation, or world,” and provide an opportunity to bring additional prestige to the university. All nominations for
do teamwork, communication, work under stress — a lot of stress.” The events typically last between 24 and 48 hours with students grabbing sleep whenever and wherever they can. Patel, who went to a 48hour hackathon in St. Louis, said she prefers to power through. “They have air mattresses and stuff like that for people, but people usually choose not to sleep,” Patel said. “They would rather work on their project than sleep because there’s such a big adrenaline rush and they keep giving you coffee and energy drinks. You can’t sleep even if you wanted to.” All of the events Patel has attended have been under the banner of Major League Hacking, which partners with campus groups to put on events for students, though the exact definition of “students” — high school, college, recent graduates — is up to the organizers of each event, said Jon Gottfried, the organization’s cofounder.
One of the missions of Major League Hacking, which is nationally sponsored by Dell and Windows, is to bring underrepresented groups, including women, into the tech world. “If someone goes to a hackathon and has a really positive experience, they’re more likely to continue building technology and to continue going to more events as part of this hacker community,” Gottfried said. Patel, who has a “Hacking the Glass Ceiling” sticker on her laptop, went to “Pearl Hacks” at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, an all-female event. She flew to the event alone, but once there she teamed up with students from Vancouver, Toronto and Florida. “I think that’s the coolest part of it. You meet some pretty cool people,” Patel said. “One of the girls on my team had just accepted a Facebook job offer. Two of them were interns for Microsoft.” OU had a hackathon in 2014, which was put on by
Union Programming Board and One University Store, but it was not affiliated with Major League Hacking. Patel and Tran are trying to work with the computer science department to bring a Major League Hacking event to Norman. Tran said one of the reasons he wants to bring a hackathon to OU is to help grow the tech sector in Oklahoma, which lags behind other states in the region. According to the Computer Technology Industry Association, Oklahoma lost nearly 11 percent of its tech jobs between 2009 and 2016, while Nebraska’s grew by more than 8 percent. The effort has run into some bureaucratic hurdles, but for Tran it is just another problem to hack. ”I’m here for another three years,” Tran said. “It’s probably going to happen within the time I’m here, no matter what obstacle we hit.” Jesse Pound
jesserpound@gmail.com
honorary degrees must be completed by March 10 to be considered for the honor in May 2018. A committee chaired by Provost Kyle Harper will review each nomination confidentially before selecting winners. The university has awarded approximately 100 honorary degrees since 1991, when the program first began, according to the memorandum. PROVIDED VIA WIKIPEDIA
Anna Bauman
anna.m.bauman-1@ou.edu
Anita Hill (right) and Charles Ogletree at Brandeis University, September 2014. Student Government Association President J.D. Baker created a petition to endorse Hill’s nomination for an honorary degree.
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Way to go! Keep up the good work!
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• March 2-5, 2017
Office tackles student integrity Cases of academic misconduct rise since policy change
MISCONDUCT REPORTS The number of academic misconduct reports, including both full violations and admonitions.
ANNA BAUMAN @annabauman2
Sam Emswiler sat shellshocked, his ears ringing. “Mr. Emswiler, are you t h e re ? � h e re m e m b e r s hearing. The computer science junior, then a freshman, can still recall the terror he felt sitting in the Office of Academic Integrity after his Introduction to Programming professor reported him for improper collaboration on an individual project. After listening to his options and rights, he signed the report to confirm his responsibility, and then he faced the consequences: mandatory enrollment in an integrity training class and a censure on his file that would remain until graduation. “Really there was no way for me to get out of it, so I thought, ‘OK, I’ll just accept the sanction and move on,’� Emswiler said. Similar to Emswiler’s case, there were 525 reports of academic misconduct last school year, according to an email from Breea Clark, associate director of OU Academic Integrity Programs. This number dropped from 602 the previous academic year, following a steady rise each year since the 380 reported cases in 2011-2012. Clark said this trend can be attributed to the new academic misconduct code implemented in 2011 that centralized the system into one office and made it less confrontational and easier for students and professors to report. “We don’t think people were cheating more, we think they were reporting more,�
2011-2012: 380 2012-2013: 476 2013-2014: 520 2014-2015: 602 2015-2016: 525 For more information on academic integrity policies, visit this link: integrity.ou.edu Source: Proveded in an email by Breea Clark, associate director of OU Academic Integrity Programs
Clark said. Clark said the OU Office of Academic Integrity Programs has the toughest out of all similar programs at other Big 12 schools because of the possibility of a permanent record and suspension for upperclassmen, first-time offenders. In spite of stern penalties, the system is designed to prevent instances of misconduct before they happen. “We’re trying to be proactive and educational versus reactive and punitive,� Clark said. In addition to an online student guide to academic integrity, OU Academic Integrity will give presentations to any class or student group on request, Clark said. She said she hopes the many educational programs and resources offered will help clarify the process for students and teach them something valuable. “Do we change all hearts and minds? No. Do we change some? Yeah, I know we do. I know we do,� Clark said. Two years after his cheating incident, Emswiler now serves as the vice-chair of adjudication on the OU Integrity
PAXSON HAWS/THE DAILY
The Integrity Council is run by students and handles cases that involve academic misconduct. Its office is located in the Carnegie Building, room 305.
Council, the student group responsible for upholding the rules of academic integrity by conducting investigations, holding hearings and helping teach classes. Emswiler said he decided to join the system that punished him after the Do You Understand Integrity? class changed his perspective. “It was kind of like a life-changing event, or like a shift, really,� Emswiler said. “After the fact, I got a lot more appreciative of all of my classes in general, but more so as a person, it really just shifted, because it gave me a mature worldview.� Initially, he was angry about his situation because he thought sharing work on a project was not a big deal. The majority of other students in the class shared a similar attitude, Emswiler said. “You can see it when you’re in there, everyone’s just kind of like, ‘This is so freaking dumb, why am I in here?’ and you can see it on all the other kids’ faces,� Emswiler said. As someone who has been personally involved in the system from both sides, Emswiler
said he has a unique perspective that makes him a good resource for students who come through the system. “Because I went through the process and I’m not afraid to admit my mistake, I feel like that helps students that have actually cheated in the class go, ‘Hey, this guy has been there,’� Emswiler said. “And it helps them feel like they’re supported.� While Emswiler admitted to the report of his own misconduct, students also have the option to contest the report and undergo an investigation conducted by members of the Integrity Council. The council members will then interview witnesses and other students and faculty involved in the incident before preparing a report of their findings, said Will Spain, assistant director of OU Academic Integrity Programs. If a student decides to contest the findings of the report, it will go to a hearing conducted by Emswiler and other council members, who hear all sides of the story. “Sometimes students disagree with testimony given,
Previous Solution
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.
Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard
so they like to basically be like, ‘I know they said this, but this is my side of the story,’ and they like to give their reasoning behind certain actions,� Emswiler said. The process ends when the hearing committee decides on a sanction for the student based on the collected evidence and testimonies. These sanctions range from expulsion to a mandatory class, depending on the severity of the action, the student’s year and history of academic misconduct. Beyond the university sanction, the student can face grade penalties that are determined by his or her professor. Clark said the professors play an even larger role because Anna Bauman they are considered the first anna.m.bauman-1@ou.edu
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Soonerthon aims for $1 million goal by Saturday with 3,000 participants
Soonerthon, OU’s annual campus-wide philanthropy event, will draw its largest group of participants ever this weekend. Three thousand registrants will participate in the 12-hour dance marathon from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Sarkeys Fitness Center, Soonerthon chair Jordan Smicklas said. This number is up from 2016, when 2,997 participants registered, Smicklas said. “This year, we’ve really tried to make Soonerthon relate back to the cause and relate back to the Children’s Hospital Foundation and why they deserve the support of OU students,� Smicklas said. “I think that by doing that, we’ve been able to just really encourage people to not only register and fundraise, but to really find their ‘why’ as well. And I think that when you do that, that brings people in and people are drawn to that and attracted to that.� Soonerthon registration will be open until 9:45 p.m. Saturday and can be done online or at the door for $40, Smicklas said. The 2017 event organizers have set a $1 million fundraising goal. Last year, Soonerthon raised $721,941. Smicklas said organizers have issued various fundraising challenges for registrants which, if successful, will enable Soonerthon to meet that goal by 10 p.m. Saturday. Aside from dancing, the 12-hour philanthropy event will feature a rave, bounce houses and games throughout the day, Smicklas said. Soonerthon, now in its 21st year, benefits the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation and the families receiving care there. “I think sometimes in college, it’s easy to live your own life, and it’s so busy that we get in this bubble, just kind of trying to make it,� Smicklas said. “I think that something that’s so cool about Soonerthon is being able to be a part of something bigger than that. ... The work we do helps (kids) stay here with their families and support systems and not have to leave the state and not be turned away from the hospital.� Staff Reports
line of defense in the system. “If the professor takes time and ... talks about why integrity matters to them, why it matters to the field, and actually talks about it more than just once, maybe right before exams, you as a student can think, ‘Wow, this is really a big deal,’� Clark said. “It creates that connection where they’re less likely to cheat. If they don’t mention it, if it’s not a priority, then why should it be a priority to you?� Clark said she thinks the council is vital in helping the university uphold a high standard of integrity, something which affects everyone in the community. “We’ve seen schools that have had cheating scandals, and it’s negatively impacted every aspect of the university, from their current students being able to find employment, the value of the degree of graduates, donations from alumni, enrollment from prospective students,� Clark said. Spain said he thinks integrity is a vital aspect of a student’s education. “When a student begins to cheat, they destroy their own opportunities at becoming more educated through this process,� Spain said. “It’s a crutch that we depend on. If we’re out in the real world and we lack critical thinking skills that we should have learned in college, we put ourselves behind.�
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Copyright 2017, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 Take time to figure out what you want to do next. Take a trip, educate yourself or choose a hobby or cause that you feel drawn to. Expanding your interests and friendships will encourage you to explore unfamiliar territory, philosophies and pastimes. Aim to get ahead.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- A couple of physical changes will boost your spirits. Refuse to let a jealous individual who feels threatened by you discourage your plan to succeed. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- A short trip will be informative. You are best off seeing something firsthand if you want to get involved. Gains will be made if you get the inside scoop.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- ItĘźs a good day to talk with people who share your experience, skills or concerns. Think carefully about what might need to be changed in order for you to meet your goals.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Pressure will lead to stress if you let it. Deal with emotional mayhem before it explodes in order to reverse any troubles that are brewing.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Size up your situation and then make a move. DonĘźt give anyone a chance to dictate how you should live your life or do your job. If you try hard, you will gain respect.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Share your feelings with someone you care about. Doing so will be a relief and will help you recognize how your ideas are being perceived and what degree of help will be offered.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- An emotional conversation will impart greater meaning to the way you want to do things in the future. Honesty will promote decisions based on trust and loyalty.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Socialize and mix business with pleasure. An honest and open approach will ensure that you are not misinterpreted. Someone will be jealous of your popularity. Leave no room for error.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Consider the consequences if you speak up about something you know little about. Gather all the facts before you misrepresent someone who needs your help and support. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You will find emotional comfort and peace through engaging in meditation and education and trying something altogether different. Broadening your scope will enhance your respect for others. Build strong alliances.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Settle down and be satisfied with what you have. Too much of anything will lead to added stress and an inability to follow your dreams. Moderation will help you build greater security. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- An emotional incident in the past must not be allowed to interfere with a chance to move forward now. Make whatever changes are necessary to bypass trouble. Look inward for answers.
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Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy Parker March 2, 2017
ACROSS 1 Sit down 5 Did one’s part? 10 Surgery reminder 14 Former Italian coin 15 Knee stiffener 16 In great shape 17 Like many lockets 18 Scales of “astronomical� proportions? 19 Great Lake name 20 Hard to see in the brush 23 Bishop topper 24 Does a laundry chore 25 Reduce in value 28 Wrinkly faced pooches 30 Milky gemstone 31 Infectious bacteria, briefly 33 First prime number 36 Like luxury car interiors 40 Bart’s neighbor 41 Sulks 42 Season of gift-giving 43 Material for a pool table surface 44 Powerful equines 3/2
46 Place where hair may accumulate 49 Turns, as on an axis 51 Properly sticking to one’s training 57 Like good foes? 58 Like many roller coaster drops 59 Start of a depressing Monopoly phrase 60 Jiffy ___ of autocare 61 Fencing attack 62 Vaguely suggest 63 Aromatic neckwear 64 Walk inside 65 Carry-all in a cafeteria DOWN 1 Furrow fields 2 Not taped 3 Type of exam or hygiene 4 Notable rhyming London street 5 Wear away through erosion 6 It’s even worse when it’s organized 7 Fife’s drum 8 Beige relative 9 Like some signers
10 Hedge trimmer’s tool 11 Freighter’s load 12 Sci-fi figure 13 Cattails and such 21 PostU.S.S.R. bloc 22 Easy to lift 25 Your current clue direction 26 Type of sword 27 Like tires needing replacement 28 Besties 29 “Brown� deliverers 31 Completely closed 32 One using a crib sheet? 33 ‘T,’ on a test 34 Join metals 35 “The ___ of Solomon� 37 Cause to topple over
38 Capitol Hill VIP 39 What having contacts can improve 43 Young French ladies 44 Evening repast 45 ___ Aviv, Israel 46 Reside 47 Cabaret show 48 Jail-avoiding cover 49 Telltale sign for a hound 50 Feudal vassal or lord 52 Little bit of land in the sea 53 Shock and amaze 54 Pinot ___ (red wine) 55 Volcano in Sicily 56 Partially rotted, as wood
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
3/1
Š 2017 Andrews McMeel Syndication 2/27 Š 2017 www.upuzzles.com Andrews McMeel Syndication
MY MY-MY-MY RELATIVE By Timothy E. Parker
March 2-5, 2017 •
SPORTS EMPTY:
Continued from Page One
the other athletic programs on campus but to most successful athletic programs in the nation. And the basketball counterpart cannot compete. THE PRODUCT It’s easy to conclude that when the Sooners’ basketball team is competitive, fan turnout increases and vice versa. In the past eight seasons, the Sooners’ highest estimated home attendance transpired in 2008-09, when Blake Griffin led the team to the Elite Eight, and in 2015-16, when the team made its first Final Four appearance in 14 years. The lowest during that span happened during the 2010-11 season, when the team suffered 18 losses and failed to qualify for postseason play. But Oklahoma is usually solid at home. Entering this season, the LNC was home to the all-time 15th-best winning percentage in Div. I basketball, with just seven home losses in the four years prior to 2016-17. Between 2009-10 and 2011-12, when the Sooners had three consecutive losing seasons, the team maintained to stay above par with a 72 percent winning percentage at LNC. The Sooners will play TCU in its final home game of the season with a 7-7 home record. If the Sooners drop its season finale, the team would have finished with a losing record at home — something that hasn’t happened since the Billy Tubbs era began in 1978. This year, fans receive a product that is one of promise but not of results. The Sooners have squandered a halftime lead en route to a loss eight times this season. Oklahoma has a core of youthful talent that can make nearly every game competitive. But late-game leads seem
to the slip away from the stillgreen Sooners in the final minutes, resulting in hard-fought yet ultimately losing efforts. And that’s not good enough for the Sooner faithful. “They’re not winning,” said David Smelser, OU Alumni Association member and season-ticket holder for men’s basketball for six years. “When they win, they come.” THE FUTURE OU season-ticket holder David Sanders can cite numerous reasons for the empty crimson seats inside the LNC at tip-time: a young, inexperienced team; lack of star power; and it’s more convenient to watch on television. But, as he began to make his way to watch the Sooners play West Virginia on Feb. 8, he shared a glimmer of hope for the Sooners. “If they had that kid come in from Norman ... if he came here, you’d be watching him walk on and be the star of the team,” Sanders said. “He’s just that quality of player from what I understand. I’ve never seen him, but I’ve known several people who have.” His teenage daughter and former Sooner Jr. Kids Club member interjected. “He’s that good, Dad,” she said, nodding to her father. “My daughter says yes,” Sanders laughed. “But you’ve got to find a star on the team and there’s no star right now.” Enter “that kid:” Norman North’s Trae Young, who committed to the Sooners just more than a week after Sanders was blindly singing his praises. Young, soon to be a local hero and potentially a counter to the state’s other star point guard, is the most obvious quick fix to OU’s attendance woes. When the team is good, fans show up. It’s a greater incentive when the program lands a potential collegiate star to build the roster and program around.
5
Spenser Davis, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/sports • Twitter: @OUDailySports
Norman born-and-raised? Cherry on top. But Young is a stop-gap. The Norman North star and his family have not been shy in the intentions to make college an underclassman experience — and that’s fine with the Sooners. Young will likely be propped up as the homegrown prodigy with the skillset and notoriety to elevate the program back to prominence. But it could be one or two seasons before the program finds itself back into its current predicament. There might not be an endgame in finding a consistent flow of attendance for OU men’s basketball. “What I like to see us get to is a fanbase that will going to be there to support them in any circumstance. That’s our goal: people who are fans of the sport and the team, regardless of any of the other circumstances,” Mossman said. “I’d like for us to build a fanbase that is loyal.” The University of Oklahoma will always be a football school. The Thunder will likely remain a prevalent leech to the Sooners’ attendance numbers. Fans and students will likely remain insistent on team success and that the program can develop a marketable, collegiate star. But what can be controlled is the atmosphere, accessibility and fan interaction. Woodard, who suffered an ACL tear mid-season and lost more home games this season than in his first three seasons combined, called this season is favorite. Beyond the turbulence of the season, he expressed his admiration to those who showed up to the LNC on gameday, regardless of the state of the program. “It really showed who was true to the Sooner Nation,” Woodard said. John Walker
john.t.walker-1@ou.edu
Mayfield apologizes online OU quarterback expresses regret over recent arrest STAFF REPORTS
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield released an apology on Twitter Tuesday afternoon after he was arrested for public intoxication, resisting arrest, fleeing and disorderly conduct in Fayetteville, Arkansas, early Saturday morning. Here’s Mayfield’s apology in its entirety: With a heavy heart and many more emotions than just one... I sincerely apologize for my actions early Saturday morning on February 25th. I apologize to President Boren, Joe Castiglione, Coach Stoops, and Coach Riley for conducting myself in a manner that does not correctly represent the way the University of Oklahoma should be represented. I made the biggest mistake of my life by putting myself in this situation. I know that I represent the University of Oklahoma on a very large scale, therefore I know better than to bring bad attention and scrutiny to the school and people that I love. The shame, guilt, and embarrassment I have felt over the past few days and continue to feel is something I would never wish upon anybody. Due to the feeling of shame and guilt for misrepresenting our athletics department and specifically my football team. I have found it extremely difficult to be
around my teammates the past few days. I feel as though I have failed them and let them down on many BAKER MAYFIELD l e v e l s , s o to all of my coaches and brothers, I am sorry for not being the leader you know I am. Next I apologize to my family and close friends. To my parents and brother, I am extremely sorry for bringing this embarrassment to the Mayfield name. I know you will forever tell me it is okay and that you are not mad or upset with me, but I know I was raised better. I was raised to do the right thing in every situation no matter who was watching. I am sorry. Also, to my close friends here in Norman and those back home in Lake Travis, I have misrepresented you and brought negative attention to the places that we are so proud to call home. For that, I am extremely sorry. I promise nothing like this mistake will ever happen again, I will make you all proud, and I will forever represent you in the way that you all deserve. Lastly but definitely not least, to all of the Sooner fans around the world... I know I have brought shame to the university that we love. I have an enormous feeling of embarrassment because of my actions. I am sincerely sorry for causing you to have to answer questions and defend our beloved school on my behalf. To all of the parents of kids that look up to me and consider me as a role model, I am sorry I was not the example I should be for your
children. This will forever be a lesson for me and let it be for young kids everywhere. We are all human and mistakes happen, they are a part of growing up and learning. Even though my mistake is one that I will forever regret, it does not and will not define who I am. I am owning up to my mistake, yes, but I will not let it be what I am known for. I have faced lots of adversity in my life and overcome difficult obstacles. I know that this adversity is directly caused by my own actions and I have nobody to blame but myself, but I will own up to it, look it in the face, and I will be a better person in the long run. I will one day be somebody you can all be proud to say you watched grow up right before your own eyes. I wish I could individually apologize to every single person that I have affected. Just know that I am extremely sorry. I will earn your respect back and prove that I can handle myself in every situation, on and off the field. With much love and regret, Baker Mayfield Mayfield was booked at a little after 8 a.m. Saturday morning and was released at 11:23 a.m. His initial hearing was held on Monday. Mayfield, a senior from Austin, Texas, has started 26 games for the Sooners the past two seasons and thrown for 76 touchdowns. He was named a Heisman Trophy finalist last season as he led Oklahoma to its second consecutve Big 12 title. Oklahoma’s spring practice is scheduled to begin March 21. Staff Reports
dailynews@ou.edu
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• March 2-5, 2017
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Chloe Moores, a&e editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/a_and_e • Twitter: @OUDailyArts
Group makes Scandals history First non-greek organization earns spot in spring show ARCHIEBALD BROWNE @archiebaldmoses
This year Class Council became the first non-greek organization to make it past the preliminary round of auditions for Sooner Scandals’ mainstage show “Sooner Scandals: Life’s a Game.” Class Council competed Sunday and became one of the final eight teams in the big show. The 2017 Class Council Scandals team, which is comprised of 29 cast members, will perform “Chess Side Story.” The musical act was chosen to suit the theme of this year’s show, “Life’s a Game.” In November 2016, Class Council was invited to join and expand the show outside of the greek world, said Elizabeth “EB” McCready, advertising and management senior and head director of Class Council. Unlike greek organizations, Class Council did not hold cast auditions. The Class Council cast is “one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of because you have students from all over campus,” McCready said. The cast is comprised mostly of members of Class Councils 2017-2020, McCready said. “We have people who are super, hyper-involved, who know everyone and do everything, and then we have students who are transfer students. So they started their Sooner career off participating in Scandals,” McCready said.
SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY
Members of Class Council rehearse their piece “Chess Side Story” for Sooner Scandals Thursday. The theme for this year’s Sooner Scandals is “Life’s a Game.”
Class Council’s involvement in Scandals has brought people from different organizations on campus together. Other than different class orientations, it includes people who are not in greek life and have always wanted to participate as well as people involved in greek life who did not want to participate with their sororities or fraternities. “It’s an incredibly diverse group of people, and to see them all come together and work towards a common goal is the best part of it,” McCready said. Class Council’s cast also includes members who have done Sooner Scandals and University Sing in the past with their sororities or
fraternities. Cameron Burleson, political science junior, SGA vice president and lead cast member, said, “I’m in a fraternity that does Scandals every year, so I’ve done Scandals for the past three years. So I’m used to the time commitment that comes with it.” Burleson feels being a part of the Class Council Scandals group gives him the potential to make a difference because the cast involves individuals who aren’t a part of greek organizations and initially thought Scandals wasn’t for them, he said. “Scandals and U-Sing is for everyone, and we have the opportunity to show
other people that not only is it for everyone, but you can thrive if you do decide to do it,” Burleson said.
“It’s an incredibly diverse group of people, and to see them all come together and work towards a common goal is the best part of it.” ELIZABETH “EB“ MCCREADY, ADVERTISING AND MANAGEMENT SENIOR
Ev e n t h o u g h t h e t w o dance directors and vocal director haven’t been
involved in Sooner Scandals or University Sing, they are committed and working hard to make the production the best possible with practices eight hours a week, McCready said. “I didn’t know anything about Scandals until (McCready) talked to me a b o u t i t ,” s a i d D w a i n e Kenney, computer science and mathematics sophomore and vocal director. “I’ve arranged music and things like that for a long time, but I haven’t ever had the opportunity to actually direct, any sort of show or concert or anything like that. So it has been kinda cool to not just be the person that’s singing, but to be the person to tell people
what to sing,” Kenney said. Kenney will also be a part of the performing cast, he said. Most of the songs Class Council is performing are upbeat to keep the energy of the show exciting, but a slower song is intermingled in the performance to give the cast a little break. “The mellow song is actually my current favorite in our show. I get emotional almost every time I hear it,” McCready said. McCready wants to keep the five songs Class Council will perform in Scandals “under wraps” so audience members will be surprised when they come see the main stage show in April, she said. The full cast of “Sooner Scandals: Life’s a Game” will also include: Pi Kappa Phi with Alpha Chi Omega, Sigma Phi Epsilon with Delta Delta Delta, Phi Delta Theta with Kappa Alpha Theta, Beta Theta Pi with Pi Beta Phi, Alpha Tau Omega with Alpha Phi, Beta Upsilon Chi with Kappa Kappa Gamma and Lambda Chi Alpha with Gamma Phi Beta, according to Campus Activities Council’s Twitter page. A l l p e r f o r ma n c e s f o r Sooner Scandals will take place April 5-8 in the Reynolds Performing Arts Center on the OU Norman campus. Ticket prices and performance times have yet to be announced, but tickets usually sell out within the first five minutes they go on sale, according to OU CAC. Archiebald Browne archiebald.browne@ ou.edu
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The Dizzease performs at Red Brick Bar during the ninth annual Norman Music Festival April 22, 2016. Red Brick Bar has offered live music to patrons with no cover charge since 2013.
Bar offers late-night tunes Main street venue provides live music, popcorn, karaoke CHANDLER KIDD @chanannkidd
Main Street in Norman offers locals a variety of restaurants, boutiques and tattoo parlors, but if you are looking for live music with no cover charge, then head over to Red Brick Bar. Red Brick Bar is located at 311 E. Main St. and hasn’t charged for a cover since 2013. The venue’s red door invites customers to enter, and, of course, red bricks frame the door. The venue is easy to miss, but if you pay attention, you will discover another hidden secret in Norman. If you are looking for a chill, late night with friends, then this could be your spot — you won’t be kicked out until 2 a.m. The bar’s homey atmosphere can be attributed to the attentive and friendly staff. Bands and regulars are known on a first-name basis by the bartenders. The staff continuously works hard to welcome
everyone who walks in, no matter the crowd size. There is always a chair open to sit at and enjoy a cold one on tap, and if you are feeling adventurous, you can slurp down a Jell-O shot and chase it with the bar’s free popcorn. Musicians from across the country stop by Red Brick Bar to play lively shows for the Norman community, and occasionally a national band will stop by to play. In November, Justin “Bobby” Brescia from the hit MTV show “The Hills” stopped by to play with his band, BobbyrocK. The dive bar serves up local music seven nights a week, and after live music performances on Fridays, the karaoke machine starts up. Red Brick Bar has a gigantic library of music to choose from. You can sing anything from Britney Spears to UGK to Queen. Red Brick Bar is never overcrowded, leaving room to dance to the music and mingle with other customers. Upcoming musical acts at the venue include Justin Fox, who will play at 8 p.m. Thursday; Thieves
of Sunrise, who will play at 7 p.m. Friday; The Vox Squadron, who will play at 10 p.m. Saturday; and Aaron Hale, who will play at 8 p.m. Sunday. The bar has five TVs, pool tables and even an outdoor back patio for a breath of fresh air. Smoking is allowed inside, which could be bothersome to those who don’t like cigarettes.
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ABOUT THE SERIES • This story is a part of a series reviewing music venues around Norman.
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• Read about last week’s Best of Norman Music Venues, The Deli, at oudaily.com
Red Brick Bar For more information about upcoming events, visit Red Brick Bar’s Facebook page or call (405) 579-6227.
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