The Oklahoma Daily

WEDNESDAY MAY 5, 2010

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Poll shows Americans bleak about future Economic recession, homeland security, national deficit among the concerns, according to poll CHINH DOAN Contributing Writer

The majority of Americans fear for the nation’s wellbeing, according to a poll conducted in 2009.

The Bloomberg National Poll of 1,000 U.S. adults taken Dec. 3-7, 2009, suggests most Americans are worried about the country’s future due to economic hard times, threatened by unemployment and deficits.

Of those polled, 59 percent said the nation was on the wrong track. When asked about the most important issue facing the country, 48 percent cited the economy.

Health care and federal budget deficit followed with 20 percent and 16 percent, respectively.

Austin Slaymaker, political science and international studies junior, said he agrees with the book OU President David Boren wrote in 2008.

“Like President Boren’s book, ‘A Letter to America,’

I believe America is in grave danger of declining as a nation,” Slaymaker said.

Cindy Rosenthal, Norman mayor and political science professor, said although the country is facing hardships, the issue is not whether the nation is on the right track or wrong track.

“There’s no question that we are in the worst recession since the Great Depression,” Rosenthal said.

“These are challenging times, and public officials at all levels of government are struggling to respond to that.”

Slaymaker said the country is in a complex situation with many pressing problems, one of which is the national budget deficit. He also said homeland security and foreign policy issues are at the top of the list.

“Our generation has complicated tasks: to figure out how to pay down the deficit and continue to protect ourselves from attacks on our homeland,” he said.

The economic worries do not appear to be likely to decrease anytime soon. Forty-nine percent of those polled expect the economy to stay the same six months

Source: Bloomberg National Poll December 2009

ECONOMY CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

Orchestra assembles for final performance of the spring

MARCIN RUTKOWSKI/THE DAILY

Gene H. Moon, guest conductor, leads the OU Civic Orchestra’s string ensemble as it performs Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” on Tuesday evening in the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall of Catlett Music Center. The orchestra is composed of volunteers from the university and the community. Tuesday’s concert was the group’s final performance of the semester.

OU gymnastics center upgrades completed Renovations add new areas; improve gym, locker rooms and more CASEY WILSON Daily Staff Writer

The renovation on OU’s gymnastics facility was finished this spring, adding 7,000 square feet of space and overhauling the existing facilities, according to the OU athletics website.

Improvements to the Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center include the complete renovation of the current gym, locker rooms, sports medicine training rooms and the awards recognition room. The facility, first built in 1983, is across from Lloyd Noble Center, where the teams often compete.

A new storage area, a reconfiguration of foam and resi-pits and an outdoor patio also were included in the renovation, the website states.

During the renovation, both teams trained in a converted warehouse without the air conditioning or heating.

The women’s team had a historic 2010 season. At the NCAA championships last month, the women finished a best-ever second place. Senior Hollie Vise won two individual silver medals, the best result for a Sooner female gymnast since 1988.

The remarkable improvement didn’t go unnoticed, as OU head coach K.J. Kindler was named 2010 National Coach of the Year, and assistants Lou Ball and Tom Haley shared the honor of Assistant Coach of the Year.

The men’s team finished third at the NCAA championships and won individual titles from junior Steven Legendre (floor exercise) and freshman Alex Naddour (pommel horse).

Along with the recent renovation, the website states that a new conference

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room was constructed during the 2008 competition season and dedicated for team meetings. The conference room includes a plasma TV, wood floors, custom cabinets, custom gymnastics artwork and computer workstations, according to the website.

The Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center’s website states the facility’s improvements were funded entirely by private donations and is one of only a handful of freestanding, co-ed college gyms in the country.

The building originally was constructed with only one large foam pit, and to perform floor exercises, gymnasts would have to step up to use the equipment, men’s head coach Mark Williams said.

During the renovation, the foundation was renovated and the floor plan was redesigned, Williams said.

“Expansion allowed us to put in four vaulting stations and more pits,” he said.

Now the men’s and women’s gymnastics teams can train without having to share pits, Williams said.

The renovated floor plan also lowered floor exercise equipment to be level with the ground, he said.

“Back in 1983, this was a state-of-theart of the building,” he said. “We’re accomplishing that again.”

Williams said the Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center is the best co-ed facility in the nation.

The facility has an appeal that aides in recruiting gymnasts, he said.

Additionally, Williams said former OU gymnasts who have come back say they are jealous of the current gymnasts using the renovated facility.

“I’m thrilled and really pleased how things have come out,” he said.

—Amanda Turner contributed to this report

Law College loses friendly face Cafe employee like a parent to law students, assistant dean says

that operation, Barker said.

“Her love for her law students and the great faculty/ staff there made her a unique AUDREY HARRIS and popular person,” Barker Daily Staff Writer said.

Law student Jay Scears remembers his first personal A familiar face to students, experience with Lynn at the faculty and staff at the OU Amicus cafe. Scears didn’t College of Law will retire at have any cash, and wasn’t the end of the semester after sure if the cafe accepted credit cards. He said when a decade at the university. he asked Lynn if the Barbara Lynn has cafe accepted them, only worked in the she said, “I take Amicus Cafe since cards, and I even May 2008, but many take IOUs.” say she’s left a lastStanley Evans, ing impact on those OU College of Law she’s met there. assistant dean of Christa Evans, students, said this president of the OU is something Lynn College of Law class BARBARA regularly does. of 2011, said Lynn is LYNN “She sets up an part of the OU law account for students experience. who forget their “She’s made as much if not more of an im- money,” he said. “She covers pact on our lives as our pro- their meal, and they always fessors and faculty do,” Evans come back and pay because she knows who they are.” said.

Stanley Evans said this Lynn started working for OU Housing and Food in system creates a level of trust September 1999, where she with the students and in rewas a Cate Taco Mayo su- turn, they don’t have to miss pervisor, Retail Operations a meal.

“She sets up a spirit of Director for OU Housing and Food Kevin Barker said friendliness that becomes contagious with the stuby e-mail.

She has also worked at dents,” he said. “She makes the former Taco Mayo (now students feel welcome and Laughing Tomato) in the at home.”

Ly n n h a s b e e n h o n Oklahoma Memorial Union, Freshens in the Huston ored at least twice for the Huffman Center and the law school’s Staff Support Redbud Cafe in the Sam Person of the Year, and was Noble Oklahoma Museum the special guest at Gridiron, the law school prom this of Natural History, he said.

In May 2008, Lynn started year, Stanley Evans said. He working in the Amicus Cafe said she was invited and and took total ownership of given a free seat at the prom,

© 2010 OU PUBLICATIONS BOARD

although he had to pay his own way.

“Students care about her because she cares about them,” he said.

He said Lynn makes an effort to get to know all the students, and is always there with a smile and a hug.

“If you’re having a bad day, she’s attuned to that and will encourage you,” he said. “If you’ve had a success, she’ll be the first to congratulate you.”

Lynn is like a proud parent, he said. She keeps clippings from The Daily about their students on the cafeteria fridge.

“We’re really going to miss her around here,” he said.

Mitch McCuistian, Student Bar Association class of 2012 president, said Lynn was an asset and friend to everyone at the College of Law. McCuistian said one time when he was overloaded with books, he spilled his soda on the counter in the café.

“Ms. Barbara simply smiled like she always did, gave me a hard time in a playful manner, and proceeded to help me clean up the mess I had created even though she didn’t have to,” McCuistian said. “That’s just the type of woman she is.”

McCuistian said he wishes the incoming freshmen had a chance to get to know Lynn like the students before them.

Lynn has had her retirement scheduled for a while, but a surgery forced her to leave a little earlier, Barker said.

VOL. 95, NO. 149

2 Wednesday, May 5, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

Economy Continues from page 1 from now.

Slaymaker, however, said he is optimistic the nation is getting back on track.

“We aren’t there yet, but the Obama administration is making strides in the right direction,” Slaymaker said.

When asked about economic stimulus passed by Congress in 2009, 32 percent said the stimulus has had no effect on the economy, while 28 percent said it is hurting the economy.

Slaymaker said he believes the money could have been used more effectively.

“It is not disputed that some projects the stimulus money funded had no potential for helping the goal of stimulating the economy, and some money was a supplement to various agencies’ budgets,” Slaymaker said.

However, Rosenthal said she believes the stimulus bill prevented worse damage to the economy, evidenced by the fact that many states used stimulus money to patch deep fiscal holes.

“The City of Norman benefitted enormously from the stimulus bill in terms of being able to repair streets and roads and to borrow money at low interest rates for improvements on water systems,” Rosenthal said.

Skepticism over the economy’s well-being might be partly contributed to Americans’ personal situations. When asked if their personal situations are better off, worse off or remain the

same, 30 percent said their household income is worse off compared with 15 percent that said their household income is better off.

“The economic downturn has affected me like it has other students: my budget was tightened, and I had to delay some activities and purchases,” Slaymaker said.

Also in the poll, 62 percent said they are pessimistic about their personal benefit from the health care bill.

Rosenthal said although health care is a valuable entitlement, leaders must figure out how to pay for it because the cost of prescription is a burden on many people.

“There’s no question that we have to get health care costs under control for the good of small business, public and private employers,” Rosenthal said. “It’s too early to make predictions. I have a wait-and-see attitude.”

In order to decrease unemployment rates, the poll showed 70 percent of Americans are in favor of spending more money on education for unemployed workers to improve their skills to qualify for better jobs.

“Our people are our greatest asset and how we leverage our human capital to compete in this global economy, we’ve got to make those kinds of investments,” Rosenthal said.

She said it’s vital to weigh the importance of solving the current crisis against the longterm effects of our actions.

“We need to weather this crisis and come out of it without further damaging some of the mechanisms or public policies that are important for planning for our future,” Rosenthal said.

OUDAILY.COM » CHECK OUT THE NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL’S EDITION OF THE BANANA REPORT, FEATURING JUSTIN BIEBER AND GREEN DAY.

Sooner Sampler

The Daily asked students on the South Oval if they feel prepared for finals week.

POLICE REPORTS Names are compiled from the Norman Police Department and OUPD. The reports serve as a record of arrests, not convictions. Those listed are innocent until proven guilty.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION Ray Dean Sutton, 53, South Webster Avenue, Sunday MUNICIPAL WARRANT Justin Wade Campbell, 19, East Lindsey Street, Monday Gregory Dean Gifford, 44, 203 S. Jones Ave., Monday

“No, the majority of the time I’ve been sick, so I’ve been catching up.”

—Yen-Oanh Vo, music performance and music education sophomore

“No, for multiple reasons.

I’ve procrastinated, and it’s been a really rough semester.”

—Ally Harris, sociology sophomore

“I don’t have finals, but I have papers. Yes [I feel prepared]. But as a Chinese, we usually don’t express such confidence.”

—Guanhai Song, political science graduate student

COUNTY WARRANT Gregory Adam Streater, 26, 800 SW 36th Ave., Monday MOLESTING PROPERTY Bryisha Kaydon Payne, 19, 1111 Oak Tree Ave., Sunday

CAMPUS EVENTS TODAY CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Christians on Campus will have its weekly Bible study at 12:30 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

“I don’t have any finals. I have a defense coming up, kind of like undergraduate finals ... I’m still working on it, but you can never feel totally prepared.”

—Kostya Bobyk, biochemistry graduate student

“Of course I feel prepared.

As long as you go to class and take notes, it’s not necessary to cram.”

“I’m feeling pretty good because I started studying earlier. I’m ready to get it over with.”

—Zebulan Benbrook, European studies sophomore

—Faith Beacham, University College freshman TROY WEATHERFORD/THE DAILY

CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST Campus Crusade for Christ will meet at 9 p.m. in the Santee Lounge of the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

IMPACT MOVEMENT The Impact Movement will have a Bible study and fellowship at 9 p.m. in the Adams-Tarman basement.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

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Mental health advocates rally at Capitol

AP PHOTO

Carla Tanner, of Tulsa, cheers at a mental health advocates rally at the Oklahoma Capitol to warn lawmakers of the possible impact of more state budget cuts to mental health and substance abuse services in Oklahoma City, Tuesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Mental Hospital Association. “There health advocates rallied at the should be nothing more imporstate Capitol on Tuesday, warning tant and critical than the health of lawmakers that more budget cuts our citizens. We simply must put to substance abuse and mental health first.” health services will lead to more Oklahoma County Assistant crime and hospital visits by people District Attorney Catherine Burton, in recovery. who supervises participation in the “Funding cuts to substance county’s drug and mental health abuse treatment centers is not the courts, said county jails and state answer,” Karen Walker, president prisons are full of offenders who of the Oklahoma Substance Abuse suffer from mental health probServices Alliance, said as about 300 lems and substance abuse. providers and consumers of subIt costs about $23,000 a year to stance abuse and mental health house, feed and care for an inmate services cheered and applauded in in state prisons but only $5,000 a the Capitol’s rotunda. year to enroll an inmate in drug “We need to stand up for our court, Burton said. services,” said Donna Woods Advocates also said less than of the Oklahoma 25 percent of drug Citizen Advocates “It is insanity. There court graduates are for Recovery within should be nothing re-arrested and Treatment five years of their disAssociation. Woods more important charge. Those sent to said she is recovering and critical than prison are re-arrested from drug and alco- the health of our more than 50 percent hol addiction, as well time. citizens. We simply of the as depression.

“We want treat“Recovery is a re- must put health m e n t , n o t l o c kality in Oklahoma,” first.” u p ,” s a i d S e n .

Woods said. “We are Constance Johnson, sick people. We have D-Oklahoma City, the right to get well.” who participated in SARA BARRY OF A d v o c a t e s m e t OKLAHOMA PSYCHIATRIC the rally. with lawmakers who HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION The commissioner are trying to craft a of the Department of balanced budget for Mental Health and the fiscal year that begins July 1. Substance Abuse Services, Terri Lawmakers are considering dras- White, told lawmakers last month tic cuts to state agency budgets that as many as 5,300 mental health because of a $1.2 billion revenue patients who lose medication and shortfall caused by low energy treatment will wind up in local jails prices and the poor economy. or state prisons, increasing state Wa l k e r s a i d $ 2 0 m i l l i o n incarceration costs by up to $100 has already been cut from the million.

Department of Mental Health and Budget cuts have already forced Substance Abuse Services’ budget. White’s agency to cut 28 inpatient About $200 million of the agency’s beds at Griffin Memorial Hospital $300 million budget comes from in Norman, reducing the numstate revenue and the rest comes ber of beds at the state-supported from the federal government and mental health hospital to 120, cut other sources. about 35 children’s mental health Advocates said additional beds and reduce private contracts cuts will mean more homeless for mental health, substance abuse Oklahomans, more property and prevention services. crimes and a lack of resources to The agency has also cut its work help people in a mental health or force by more than 10 percent substance abuse crisis. through attrition, reductions in “It is insanity,” said Sara Barry force and voluntary job buyouts. of the Oklahoma Psychiatric —AP

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

COMMENTS OF THE DAY »

Annelise Russell, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

In response to Tuesday’s news story about the Faculty Senate’s decision to block dead week policy changes.

“Students need to stop crying.

If you cannot handle exams without a week of downtime at the University of Joklahoma, you don’t deserve a degree.”

- SOONERBOOMERS

YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

Try having 3 exams, 2 projects worth 10% of the final grade, and 4 homework assignments as an Aerospace Engineer and then maybe you can have a relevant comment.”

- FRYE4073

STAFF COLUMN

OUR VIEW

Oil spill reminder America should stop dreaming and of offshore conflict confront reality

AP

Oil blobs and oil sheen are seen Tuesday in the waters of Chandeleur Sound, La. Clean up and containment of a massive oil slick resumed Tuesday as winds eased in the Gulf of Mexico and people along beaches and bayous waited to find out just how badly it might damage the delicate coast.

Over the past week, updates from the oil spill have blanketed newspaper headlines. A British Petroleum drilling rig malfunctioned and began leaking oil at rapid rates into the Gulf of Mexico. This national crisis has many people questioning the role of offshore drilling in our country.

The state of Virginia is reportedly reconsidering expanding into offshore drilling in direct response to the hazardous oil spill last week. The spill also has some individuals questioning whether this is a long-term decision to our energy needs.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry made the statement that the threatening spill was an “act of God,” but we argue there is more to this issue than divine intervention.

These types of accidents involve equipment, maintenance, safety, decisions and regulation. All of this sounds very complex, but after a weekend of seeing the wildlife and businesses in the Gulf of Mexico threatened, it becomes even more necessary to inform ourselves about offshore drilling.

Too many times the decision of whether

or not to drill offshore, like many other important issues, is boiled down to just political ping-pong without any real consideration of substance.

Accidents like this weekend will continue to happen if we do not take drilling more seriously and try to understand its ramifications, rather than scoring political points. This isn’t to say offshore drilling is not a viable option.

Despite the magnitude of this spill, it could be a necessary option to secure our energy independence.

But we won’t ever know if it is a viable option if we do not inform ourselves. We have a thriving petroleum engineering program on campus, but it is not just the responsibility of those few to understand, at least on some level, the implications of offshore drilling.

We cannot sit idly by while accidents such as this happen and then complain without an understanding of what we are actually complaining. We must be engaged in this discussion of offshore drilling, and it is a tragic truth that it took a spill of this magnitude to realize its importance.

The Pew Research Center recently completed a study on the extent of economic mobility in the United States, and its findings were not very pleasant.

In America, 42 percent of children born into the lowest economic quintile remain there as adults, and 70 percent of children born into the lowest MATT economic quintile BRUENIG never reach middle-income status as adults.

On the other side of the ladder, 39 percent of children born into the highest economic quintile remain there as adults. Even more startling is that 23 percent of the children born into the highest economic quintile who do not receive a college degree also remain there as adults.

These disparities in mobility are exaggerated for Blacks and women in the United States. These populations experience less upward mobility and greater downward mobility than whites and males starting off in the same economic position. For instance, 45 percent of Black children born into middle-income families drop down to the lowest economic quintile, while only 16 percent of white children born into middle-income families do so.

What these numbers suggest is that despite popular folklore to the contrary, the idea that one’s economic position is even primarily dictated by hard work and effort is a myth. Working and doing your best is no doubt a component of economic success, but the Pew study reveals that the family one is born into is the best predictor of future wealth, with education following that. Access to quality education is of course correlated with the economic background and is not even essential for children with wealthier backgrounds to maintain their economic position.

This failure cannot be blamed on government interventionism, as some advocates of laissez-faire economics often do. Countries with relatively larger social democratic governments such as

Canada, Finland, Norway and Denmark have much higher mobility than the U.S. and much more egalitarian income distribution.

Americans need to confront reality. Self-made economic success does certainly exist for limited numbers of people, but the handful of popular anecdotes which portray this story need to be tempered by a recognition of the truth of the matter: the American Dream is just that, a dream. It is a murky idealized notion of how things should work, but not how things actually work.

In reality, if you are born into a family that inhabits the lowest 20 percent on the economic ladder, your odds of ever reaching even middle-income is less than one in three. Even reaching the level of mediocrity then is extremely low, which is not even to consider how unlikely it is you will ever elevate yourself to the highest level of economic success.

Consequently, it is simply dishonest to continue perpetuating a discourse which supposes that one’s position in life is a matter of personal effort and merit. It cannot seriously be maintained that 70 percent of poor people in this country are naturally lazy. It cannot seriously be maintained that the children of the most wealthy remain that way due to their hard work, when 23 percent of the wealthiest children who do not attend college stay at the same economic position of their parents. The cult of personal responsibility is not supported by the data.

I cannot tell you what needs to be done about social immobility and inequality in a mere 700 words. But I think I can tell you what we need to not do.

We need to not idealize cultural tropes such as the American Dream that do not correspond to reality. We need to not pretend that wealthy individuals are that way solely, or even primarily, because of their enterprising nature and hard work. Finally, we need to not dismiss the poor as irresponsible and lazy.

In short, we need to stop the dream and confront the reality.

Matt Bruenig is a philosophy junior.

STAFF COLUMN

Tired of political bickering, partisan hackery in media I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable person when it comes to government.

I read the news daily and try to get a basic understanding of what is going on with the president or Congress. But recently, it has been hard to even open the newspaper.

Each day, the headlines read Democrats and Republicans are at odds over an issue that most Americans do not understand. We hear about the Democrats losing Republican support on bills, but the public hasn’t a clue what the heck they are fighting about.

Financial regulation is currently a heated topic amongst government officials, but all the public seems to read about is how narrow the margins of victory will be if it passes.

Instead of an article about legislation that could change federal banking practices, all the general public knows is that this is a game to be won.

The finances of this nation should not be batted back and forth like a tennis match.

Instead of policy, it is a game to see who can cross the finish line and destroy their political opponent in the process.

This may seem a bit idealistic, and I realize that bipartisanship is largely a fool-hearty

prospect over such divisive issues, but drag- most people haven’t a clue why we are even ging legislation through the mud to score po- talking about UOSA. Most people have no litical points is poor governing. idea what their function even is. All they know The same sort of political baseball is going is this is just a dysfunctional student group. on with the current uproar over This similar type of roundabout the potential bomber in New York. reporting is only furthered by large People claim victory because the innews organizations and cable news cident was avoided, and others wag that focus on partisan perspectives fingers because the threat was dealt rather than dealing in fact. We are with in a manner they saw unfit. conditioned to look for the opinion What’s lost in all this bustle is why instead of the story. was the bombing planned in the first The media plays into and stokes place? What does this mean for our these continual partisan fights, and national security? The real questions somewhere along the way people ANNELISE of substance are largely neglected. forget what they were even fighting Why is it that we know every- RUSSELL about. thing there is to know about partisan Citizens play a role too by standing hackery, but when it comes down to the is- by and accepting this as good journalism. We sues that face our nation, we know nothing of just assume that the likes of Chris Matthews substance? and Glenn Beck represent the journalistic valWho is to blame for this? Media? Citizens? ues of most. How many times have you heard Politicians? the phrase “seeing wrong and doing nothing Maybe it is a shared responsibility. is just as bad as doing the wrong yourself?”

Stories line the pages of The Daily on a Readers have a right to understand what regular basis with administrative issues and is going on in their government and comdiscontent amongst our student congress. munities, but that also means they have to Pertinent information, but the problem is play an active role. Readers are no longer

T=: O@A6=DB6 D6>AN Jamie Hughes Caitlin Harrison Ricky Maranon Lauren Harned Annelise Russell Michelle Gray Marcin Rutkowski

contact us

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Assignment Editor Design Chief Opinion Editor Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor

Reneé Selanders, Amanada Turner News Editors James Lovett Online Editor Mark Potts Multimedia Editor Aaron Colen Sports Editor Joshua Boydston Life & Arts Editor Judy Gibbs Robinson Editorial Adviser Thad Baker Advertising Manager

160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-0270

phone: 405-325-3666

e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

silent consumers with the advent of blogs and Facebook.

We now have the avenue to take part in the news process, and with that power citizens should demand quality information.

Officials are also to blame for using the media to throw the other party and position under the bus. Leaders manipulate the media into a tug of war battle of right versus wrong.

Members of Congress spend seconds casting votes on the floor of the legislature, but spend hours talking to the media about why their vote was better than a political counterpart.

Media should stand up to being used by politicians and instead focus on why they were trying to score the political win in the first place. As a media organization, it’s high time that we and those across the country came together to put an end to this bickering and name-calling that floods the front pages of the news.

It does not serve the news business and it does not serve the citizen.

Annelise Russell is a political science and journalism junior.

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

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be cut to fit. Students must list their major and classification. OU staff and faculty must list their title. All letters must include a daytime phone number. Authors submitting letters in person must present photo identification.

Submit letters Sunday through Thursday, in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters can also be submitted via e-mail to dailyopinion@ ou.edu.

Guest columns are accepted at editor’s discretion. ’Our View’ is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily.

Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff.

The board meets Sunday through Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in 160 Copeland Hall.

Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

5

Aaron Colen, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

« BLOGS The Daily’s Jono Greco analyzes the baseball team’s chances in the Big 12 on OUDAILY.COM

Sooners score double-digits against Trojans TOBI NEIDY Daily Staff Writer

The No. 15 OU baseball team had a high-scoring night against a struggling Arkansas-Little Rock team Tuesday night at L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park.

The Sooners scored 14-straight runs after falling behind 5-0 after the top of the second inning.

OU showed why the team is ranked in the top 15 by battling back to regain the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring six runs on five hits to put the Sooners up by three through three complete innings.

Scoring for the Sooners began in the third inning with a lead-off walk by sophomore outfielder Erik Ross, who stole second during the next at bat for the Sooners.

Sophomore infielder Caleb Bushyhead singled to shallow left to put two runners on base with the tying run coming up to the plate.

Sophomore infielder Garrett Buechele continued his 17-game hitting streak with a long drive to left center for a two RBI double.

With no outs, the Sooners continued to put runners

in scoring position with a ground out by sophomore infielder Camercon Seitzer that moved Buechele to third base.

With a single by freshman infielder Max White, the Sooners tied the game 5-5. The Sooners gained the lead for the first time in the game with a triple to right field by senior infielder Ross Hubbard to score White.

Scoring continued for the Sooners after sophomore outfielder Cody Reine walked to put runners at the corners with only one out.

Junior second baseman Danny Black laid down a successful bunt to score Hubbard and reach first base. After both Reine and Black advanced to third and second base, respectively, senior catcher Bryan Groth grounded out to third to score Reine.

With only two outs, the Sooners batted around for the 19th time this season as Ross returned to the plate in the third inning and scored six runs on five hits.

The Sooners continued to pull away and extended JEREMY DICKIE/THE DAILY the lead to 11-5 through four complete innings. At press Max White, freshman infielder, hits a line drive in the bottom of the second time, OU led 14-5 after eight innings. Visit OUDaily.com inning Tuesday against Arkansas-Little Rock. The game was the last home for full recap and results. game of the regular season.

Several years of opinions have brought plenty of feedback It’s been 3 1/2 years now. Or 39 months.

Or more than 1,200 days. Or countless articles, words or podcasts. Or seven national and state awards. There are a lot of ways to try and count it, but no matter what I reach the same conclusion: I’ve been at The Oklahoma Daily for a long time.

Every week for 2 1/2 of my 3 1/2 years here, I wrote a weekly sports column, opinSTEVEN ing on everything from athlete guarantees JONES to crowd-surfing mascots. Naturally, publishing my opinions for thousands to read for such a prolonged period of time gave readers plenty of opportunities to share their thoughts about me.

So as I write for The Daily for the last time, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the praise I received for my work throughout the years. Here are just a few online comments I received from my admirers over my college career.

FROM A SEPT. 18, 2007, COLUMN ABOUT GARRETT HARTLEY

many columns? maybe he's in Writing for Mass Media right now, but even then, hes just learning to write things correctly” – JMC student

ON AN OCT. 16, 2007, COLUMN ABOUT IOWA STATES POTENTIAL TO UPSET OU “this is a dumb article... please find something better to write about. YOU BORE ME” – dont matter

ON AN OCT. 23, 2007 ARTICLE ABOUT THE COLORADO ROCKIES’ PLAYOFF RUN BEING TAINTED BY MLB’S STEROID ISSUE “Stop crying. Nobody cares that you don't care about the Rockies.” – Chris “Baseball is stupid and pointless, the players are way overpaid” – BOB

“What is the point of this article? No facts, not even really an opinion, just a bunch of rambling about a problem that the writer was apparently too lazy to research” – Anonymous

ON AN APRIL 6, 2009, ARTICLE ABOUT HOW SAM BRADFORD AND BLAKE GRIFFIN MADE OU THE FIRST SCHOOL TO WIN A HEISMAN AND NAISMITH TROPHY IN THE SAME ACADEMIC YEAR

“he's a journalism sophomore... so has he even taken a writing class? or is he still in intro? how does a soph get to write so

“Slightly off-topic, but if the OU Daily could *not* print a full page picture with nearly all black ink, that would be awesome.

!!!

I picked up the paper and my hands looked like I picked up a handful of coal.” – fustigate

ON A NOV. 30, 2009, COLUMN ABOUT HOW THE MASCOTS SHOULD NOT CROWD SURF UP THE STUDENT SECTION DURING FOOTBALL GAMES ““Dude what is wrong with you? Find something better to write about. Our mascots are awesome and everyone loves them. Are you a poke fan or something?” –Flysooner “I would have expected the opinion expressed in this article to come from the uptight boosters whose seats are behind mine. "Down in front!" and "I can't see!" are the phrases they shout in anger. I have the same response for Mr. Jones as I do all of the John Doe semi-Sooners who can't bare to stand in the <ahem> STANDS. If you don't want to experience the crowd, go home and sit on your couch.” – DanimalRC “Yet another article wasted in our glorious paper...You can't find anything else to write about, seriously?” - Ouav8or9 So as I reflect back on the experiences I have had at The Daily I am left with just one parting comment for my adoring fans who got online to let me know how much they enjoyed my work: Thanks for reading.

Steven Jones is a language arts education senior.

President David Boren

Invites All Students

To an open discussion of the University’s budget, including possible scenarios related to tuition and fees for the next school year.

2 to 4 p.m.

TODAY Beaird Lounge Oklahoma Memorial Union For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the Office of Special Events at (405) 325-3784.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

6 Wednesday, May 5, 2010 Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

PLACE AN AD Phone: 405-325-2521 E-mail: classifieds@ou.edu

Fax: 405-325-7517 Campus Address: COH 149A

DEADLINES Line Ad ..................................................................................3 days prior

C Transportation

AUTO FOR SALE

Place your display, classified display or classified card ads no later than 5:00 p.m. 3 days prior to publication.

PAYMENT s r

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Foreign students welcomed JIM HOLMES INSURANCE, 321-4664

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Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Credit cards, cash, money orders or local checks accepted.

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Line Ad

HELP WANTED

Leasing Assistant Student Housing Complex seeking high energy, outgoing individual for F/P time leasing help. Competitive pay/fun environment. Fax resume to (405) 321-0626 / stefanie@soonercrossing.com Now Taking Applications for Fall Semester Community After School Program is now taking applications for part-time staff to work in our school-age childcare programs in Norman Public Schools. Hours: M-F 2:20 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Begin working Aug 19th. Closed for all Norman Public School holidays and professional days.

Competitive wages starting at $7.25/hour.

Higher pay for students with qualifying coursework in education, early childhood, recreation and related fields. Complete application in person at 1023 N. Flood Avenue or online at www.caspinc.org.

Hiring Leasing Agent Immediately Large apt complex seeking responsible student P/T & Sat, flexible schedule, F/T during breaks. $7.50 - $8.50 based on ability. 364-3603

There is a 2 line minimum charge; approximately 42 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation.

(Cost = Days x # lines x $/line) 1 day ..................$4.25/line 2 days ................$2.50/line 3-4 days.............$2.00/line 5-9 days.............$1.50/line

Employment

HELP WANTED

1998 Ford Ranger XLT, 5-spd, pwr steer, A/C, AM/FM, 169K, $2300-obo. 7600557.

Place your line ad no later than 9:00 a.m. 3 days prior to publication.

Display Ad ............................................................................3 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad

Employment

Bartending! Up to $300/day. No exp nec.

Training provided. 1-800-965-6520 x133.

10-14 days.........$1.15/line 15-19 days.........$1.00/line 20-29 days........$ .90/line 30+ days ........ $ .85/line

2 col (3.25 in) x 2.25 inches Crossword ........$515/month

POLICY

All ads are subject to acceptance by The Oklahoma Daily. Ad acceptance may be re-evaluated at any time.

8 7 2 4 6 8

Previous Solution

1 7 1 8

5

2 9 4 8 2 1 9 4 3 9 2 1 1 3

1 3 7 2 4 6 9 8 5

5 6 9 3 1 8 7 4 2

4 2 8 9 5 7 3 1 6

7 5 4 8 9 2 1 6 3

3 9 1 6 7 4 5 2 8

6 8 2 5 3 1 4 7 9

2 4 3 7 6 5 8 9 1

8 7 5 1 2 9 6 3 4

9 1 6 4 8 3 2 5 7

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.

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - If you walk around with a chip on your shoulder today, it won’t take much to get someone to knock it off. Remember, temperament sets the tone that others will respond to.

Previous Answers

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - Do whatever you can to put a stop to any disturbing influence that disrupts the tranquility of the household, even if this means barring the door to a troublemaker.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Giving someone a piece of your mind will give you momentary appeasement. However, it won’t take long before the damage you incur will have to be addressed.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) - Watch your tongue, so that you don’t say anything that could put you on a collision course with another. When up against a strongly opinionated person, simply close your mouth.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - Some days are worse than others, and today you’ll need to be doubly careful about protecting your prized possessions. Don’t leave anything lying around tempting others to be dishonest.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Clear up all old obligations before assuming any new ones.

If you monitor your resources realistically, you should be able to keep your budget intact and very healthy

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Independence can be an admirable quality, but not when it is carried to extremes.

It could cause you to be overly insistent about having your way, resulting in all kinds of hostile responses.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - The company you keep could be responsible for you having either a peaceful or strife-ridden day. Don’t let the behavior of another cause you to speak out in a manner that would tarnish your image.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) - There are two conditions that could negatively affect your work today. The first one is concentrating on the clock instead of your duties, and the second one is not watching what you’re doing at all.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20 - Be time-conscious and try to maintain a sensible schedule, because if you leave important tasks until the last minute, your nervous system could have quite a breakdown.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - If you find yourself at odds with a friend and do not let the issue drop, it is likely to develop into something far greater than either intended. Be the bigger person and let him/her have the last word.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Everything might look good, but nevertheless still guard against inclinations to take risks. The odds can stack up against you before you know it.

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CONDOS UNFURNISHED Nottingham Condo For Lease - 2bd/2ba, W/D, fireplace, all appliances - VERY close to Law School, minimum 1 yr lease + dep. NO PETS. 245-0927

SUMMER LIFEGUARDS & SWIM INSTRUCTORS. Aquatic staff and swimmers.

Apply at the Cleveland County Family YMCA, 1350 Lexington Ave. EOE.

2400 sq ft, 2811 Castlewood Drive 2 or 3 bd, 2.5 ba, completely remodeled.

Part of Castlewood HOA, access to pool and common area, $1000/dep, no pets, $1500/mo, includes HOA dues. 5507069.

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

APTS. FURNISHED

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Elite Properties 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com

Appointment Setters Needed - Very easy work, very flexible hours - IDEAL for college students! Compensation is $100 per closing - phone inquiries only - Ron Ritter Construction 305-0579

J Housing Rentals

The Oklahoma Daily is responsible for one day’s incorrect advertising.

If your ad appears incorrectly, or if you wish to cancel your ad call 3252521, before the deadline for cancellation in the next issue. Errors not the fault of the advertiser will be adjusted. Refunds will not be issued for late cancellations.

Help Wanted ads in The Oklahoma Daily are not to separate as to gender. Advertisers may not discriminate in employment ads based on race, color, religion or gender unless such qualifying factors are essential to a given position.

Hiring Leasing Agent Immediately Large apt complex seeking responsible student P/T & Sat, flexible schedule, F/T during breaks. $7.50 - $8.50 based on ability. 613-5268

Traditions Spirits has immediate job openings for SERVERS, COOKS and HOSTS at Autographs Sports Bar and BEVERAGE SERVERS at Riverwind Casino, both located in Norman, OK. Please apply in person at Traditions Spirits Corporate Office. Directions: Follow Highway 9 West past Riverwind Casino, travel 2 miles, turn right on Pennsylvania, take an immediate left onto the service road 2813 SE 44th Norman, OK 405-392-4550, or online at www.traditionsspirits.com

Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521.

The Oklahoma Daily will not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religious preference, national origin or sexual orientation. Violations of this policy should be reported to The Oklahoma Daily Business Office at 325-2521.

MISAL OF INDIA BISTRO Now accepting applications for waitstaff.

Apply in person at 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, across from Barnes & Noble, 579-5600.

Now accepting applications for bartenders, servers, kitchen staff - F/P time shifts available. Apply in person at either O’Connell’s location, before 6pm daily!

Classified Display, Classified Card Ad or Game Sponsorship 2 col (3.25 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ..............$760/month Boggle ...............$760/month Horoscope ........$760/month

Grounds & Pool Person needed part time.

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J Housing Rentals

Sublease for June & July @ The Reserve.

1bd in a 4bd. $475/mo all bills paid & furnished! Call 727-742-4432

APTS. UNFURNISHED Sooner Crossing - 1115 Biloxi Large 2 bd/1 ba, dishwasher, nice pool and laundry room. Quiet complex on bus route. 5% student discount. $575 per month (405) 321-5947

HOUSES UNFURNISHED VERY NICE THREE BDRM, 2.5 bth, JACUZZI on enclosed balcony, 2 FIREPLACES, Security System, W/D, Microwave, Frig & Small GARDEN area. $1200/mo.

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TOWNHOUSES UNFURNISHED Taylor Ridge Townhomes 2 Bdrm, 2.5 Bath, Fully Renovated Townhomes near OU! Pets Welcome! • Call for current rates and Move-in Specials!!!

Taylor Ridge Townhomes (405) 310-6599

ROOMMATES WANTED Looking for friendly, clean, respectful roommate for summer or fall, 2 bdrm furnished at Kraettli, bills incl’d, $300/mo.

Ref avail. 405-796-7118.

J

Housing Sales

CONDOS 2400 sq ft, 2811 Castlewood Drive 2 or 3 bd, 2.5 ba, completely remodeled.

Part of Castlewood HOA, access to pool & common area, $229,000. Call 550-7069

SUMMER SPECIAL! 1 BLK OU $275 1012 S College. 360-2873 / 306-1970.

It’s the NUMBER ONE cancer killer.

Nice old apt w/hard wood floors, plaster walls, 2 blocks to campus, tenant pays all bills, smoke free, no pets, for one person.

Call 360-3850.

NO MORE EXCUSES. NO MORE LUNG CANCER.

lungcanceralliance.org

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker May 05, 2010

ACROSS 1 Razor need 6 Shot with a high arc 9 Exhorted earnestly 14 Chief Bolshevik 15 Santa ___ (California wind) 16 Everybody’s antonym 17 Nonet minus one 18 Space heater?

19 Battery pole 20 Like Mary’s lamb 23 ___ Perignon 24 Commit a blunder 25 Tribal magicians 27 Idealistic and unrealistic 32 Vein extractions 33 Three-time Frazier foe 34 Knights’ wives 36 British composer Sir Edward 39 Big trucks 41 Makes void 43 Antony’s attire 44 Popular Internet company 46 ___-climber (gym apparatus) 48 Nut on a wheel 49 Turnpike charge

51 Conferencegoer 53 It stretches during exercise 56 Twinkling thing 57 Danseur’s step 58 Extremely stern 64 Tropical forest vine 66 Story line’s path 67 Perplexed 68 Kind of flu 69 “Fargo” affirmative 70 Piece of the past 71 Deducted from the gross weight 72 Place with fortified swine?

73 Vera Wang creation DOWN 1 Throw away, as a lead 2 Labor leader Walesa 3 Prefix for “disestablishmentarianism” 4 Lost on purpose?

5 Typed in 6 Colleen 7 Duty that’s a drag 8 Marriage proclamation 9 Out of the loop 10 Howard of “American

Graffiti” 11 Absolutely dependable 12 ___ a high note 13 Forms an opinion 21 IndoEuropean, once 22 “Now I’ve found you!”

26 Sandwich from the oven 27 Suspicious and alert 28 Trojan princess of a Mozart opera 29 Almost weightless 30 Avian aussies 31 Letter before epsilon 35 Bed-frame crosspiece 37 Flulike

ailment 38 Go wild 40 Not long off 42 Internet locales 45 Veteran 47 Fable fox 50 Thompson of “Back to the Future” 52 More kempt 53 Sound of a paintball upon impact 54 Pakistani coin 55 Looks inside?

59 “Blast!”

60 “___ Breaky Heart” 61 Cuba or Crete, e.g.

62 Wahine wreaths 63 Spider egg holders 65 Edinburgh negative

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

© 2010 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

AS YOU LIKE IT by Carol Ross

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

7

« TOMORROW

Joshua Boydston, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

Read a feature on an OU student who assists The Flaming Lips on tour.

Unconventional classes, commitment set music professor apart ANNIKA LARSON Daily Staff Writer

Carl Rath says that when OU hired him in 1981, it got much more than a bassoon teacher. After almost 30 years, Rath has truly made his mark on the university with his unconventional classes and teaching style.

Although he was initially taken on as a bassoon and music appreciation professor, Rath has actualized two classes in his other area of expertise: rock ‘n’ roll. In 1990, he launched his course on the development of rock ‘n’ roll with the help of the Honors College. He said he’d originally wanted to teach a class on music of the 1960s, which morphed into what the class is today, and includes sociological and technological aspects of the musical landscape.

“There are just so many ways to make that class interesting,” Rath said. “So it’s changed a lot over the CARL years.”

From the development of rock class came the idea RATH for a class on The Beatles. A student suggested it after seeing Rath’s enthusiasm on the Fab Four, and in 1995, that suggestion became a reality. The first semester it was offered, only three students enrolled. Despite other professors advising him not to teach it if enrollment stayed low, Rath displayed an admirable dedication to his students.

“I said if there’s one student interested, I’ll teach it,” Rath said.

Since that first semester, enrollment grew and the class has become increasingly popular. Rath said he’s had almost no attendance problems, students have stayed at OU longer than necessary just so they could take his class and many have

requested an online version. He said he believes it is one of the more enjoyable classes, but it’s no stroll down Penny Lane.

“It’s fun, but hard,” Rath said. “You have to take it seriously.”

Rath certainly takes his work seriously, even if the subject matter is fun. In addition to spending 16 to 30 contact hours every week with his bassoon students, he said he spends hours preparing for each Beatles or rock class. Writing tests is especially time-consuming because of Rath’s commitment to the learning process.

“I want [the students] to be really into it,” Rath said. “Even when they’re taking a test, they should be learning.”

But learning in Rath’s classes is more than just hurriedly copying notes from a PowerPoint. He incorporates audio and video alongside information. He also makes class fun by joking around and telling stories.

He brings this attitude on purpose, because he says it helps students.

“The more students can see a professor be himself, the more they can learn to be themselves,” Rath said. “With that, they’ll develop more creativity and inspiration.”

Rath said his teaching style comes partly from the liberal arts education he received at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. While getting his Master of Arts in bassoon performance at the University of Denver, he taught music theory, and he said that experience showed him his love for teaching. Rath also tries to adjust his teaching style with the times, noting that some professors teach the way they were taught years ago, even if society is quite different now.

“I love Rath’s class,” said Nick Lopez, a student in Rath’s

Beatles class this semester. “He makes it fun without watering it down.”

Outside of class, Rath is involved with projects and hobbies of his own. He started the Sooner Bassooners, a bassoon ensemble that plays his own arrangements of a mix of classical and rock songs. Like his philosophy on teaching, Rath brings a pedagogical aspect to the fun bassoon group.

Besides the Sooner Bassooners, Rath also plays drums in the all-music faculty rock band Midlife Crysis. His other hobbies include conducting and arranging. Local rock fans might know some of his arrangements without even knowing it: he arranged the orchestra parts for several songs for The Non’s recent collaborations with Cloud Collision Orchestra. You may have seen him conducting behind that clear screen at The Non’s Norman Music Festival set.

“I really like The Non,” Rath said. “I like their personality, I like that they don’t take themselves too seriously. But they’re serious musicians, phenomenal musicians.”

With his unorthodox classes and a life full of music, Rath has a lot to be thankful for. He said he loves OU, particularly OU football, the Honors College, and, of course, the music department.

Even though his students give him gratification and pride, and Honors gives him freedom and encouragement, Rath remains humble.

“When you’re a bassoonist,” Rath said, “you’re just happy to have a job.”

8

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

FREDDY RETURNS WITH A DULLER SET OF BLADES a cross between fried chicken and one of Santa’s slightly taller helpers. Oh wait, he also has kitchen shears for fingers to add to the fearful equation. As they begin to find links in their unfortunate experiences, they come across some rather unsettling details about their lives and their town’s history. These details may explain why Freddy refuses to show them even a smidgen of mercy. Now they must rely on Starbucks and speed to escape from his relentless grasp.

The problem with Bayer’s new “Nightmare” mare” is that it is void of any genuine originality, suspense, characterization terization or emotion.

After seven films, there is not much room for invention. All of the action feels rushed, as if the filmmakers did id not like the material and just decided to keep things moving att an exaggerated pace.

The film feels more like an extended Marilyn lyn Manson music-video than a feature film. The 1984 version sion blurred the lines between reality and fantasy, but heree the distinction is blatantly obvious.

While the acting is passable, the characters cters are not so much characters as they are victims of a premisee that reduces them to a formula in which their only relevance to the story is to be sliced and diced in a creative fashion. While Haley ey is an excellent actor, he had some pretty big shoes to fill playing ng Robert Englund’s Freddy. His character is surprisingly underused, derused, coming in and out as often as the film’s amped up music chords. The writers supplied him with an arsenal of corny orny one-liners that he ominously utters in a voice reminiscent nt of Christian Bale’s Batman in “The Dark Knight.”

ULTIMATE COMICS: NEW ULTIMATES #2

The man who single handedly ruined the Ultimate Universe with series like “Ultimates 3” and “Ultimatum” is given a third — or was it fourth — chance with “Ultimate Comics: New Ultimates?” Really Marvel? I know Jeph Loeb is on contract, but come on! The last good thing he did was “Batman: Hush” — Red Hulk doesn’t count — and it wasn’t even that great.

My problems with Loeb aside, it’s really confusing having Captain America in both New Ultimates and Mark Millar’s Ultimate Avengers; does that mean there are two teams now, both lead by Captain America? That’s ridiculous, especially since the Ultimate Universe was created to eliminate past conventions and to make the characters and situations more believable.

The only thing I look forward to in this book is Frank Cho’s sweet detailed and smooth art, other than that Loeb better not drop the ball. In the past, Loeb has proven that he is an adequate writer and I really do hope he returns to form, but until then, I will never forgive him for “Ultimatum” and bring it up whenever I can.

5off

$

sooner

today

through

Champs Women’s:

The air inside McCasland Fieldhouse was hot and sticky as the lights went out. A whistle blew and a single line of 30 fraternity brothers began a trip of staccato rhythm around the perimeter of the floor seating area. With the first echoing thud of the step leader, one thing was certain — Stompdown was back.

Returning to OU for the first time since 2008, Stompdown 2010: The Prestige delighted an estimated audience of 1,800 in McCasland Fieldhouse.

National Panhellenic Council President Alisa Tillman said the two-year absence allowed organizers to rework some aspects of the event that had suffered in past years, changes reflected even in the night’s theme.

“The theme came about as I was watching [The Prestige],” Tillman said. “I really liked the idea of bringing Stompdown back as a more prestigious event.”

Event Coordinator Tasha Mosley said that Stompdown’s time away from campus helped increase awareness of the event, evidenced by the amount of tickets sold in the event’s first pre-sale.

Step teams from OU, Oklahoma State University, the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas A&M University competed for a $2,500 cash prize and the title of 2010 Stompdown Champions.

Mosley said that including other universities was the idea of the committee.

“In the past, Stompdown was more localized,” Mosley said. “I had a great committee who helped expand this event out to other schools.”

In the men’s category, the OU Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha took home top honors, while OU’s Delta

Sigma Theta took home the prize in the women’s category. A panel of seven judges voted on the winning routines.

Alpha Phi Alpha step team member Rashid Foster said that Stompdown’s absence only magnified the excitement of winning.

“Every year everybody waits for Stompdown,” Foster said. “Winning in Stompdown’s first year back makes the late nights worth it.”

For Delta Sigma Theta, winning the return of Stompdown had everything to do with tradition. “[Delta Sigma Theta] won in 2007 and 2008,” said Ryann Davis, a member of the sorority’s step team. “It feels wonderful to be able to carry on the tradition.”

Step teams had 10 minutes to perform, and all teams intertwined drama and dance with the step routines. All performances were based on a theme, ranging from a Beauty and the Geek story, performed

by OU’s Alpha Phi Alpha, to a retelling of Nightmare on Elm Street, performed by Delta Sigma Theta.

Ki’Andra Singletary said choosing a theme was easy and fun for the sisters of Delta Sigma Theta.

“We first decided that we wanted to do scary,” Singletary said. “From that, Nightmare on Elm Street was what we eventually decided on.”

All in all, Mosley said, the return of Stompdown was everything and more the committee wanted in the event. She also said that the audience turn out and reactions give her hope for the future.

“I think we’ll definitely get big enough eventually to sell out the Lloyd Noble Center,” Mosley said. “We’ve had a lot younger people [on the committee] that can carry the tradition.”

friday

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“And where we’ve come, nobody

all the

can take that away from us.”

Sooner

-Amanda Thompson

The women’s basketball team consistently outshined their male counterparts.

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1

the

Miss Oklahoma and OU student Taylor Treat shares what it’s like to live life in

taylor treat

‘Treat’ment She smiles and waves as the pale blue of her dress glitters under the hot lights, and the crown sitting upon her blond hair sparkles as she glides effortlessly down the catwalk. On the stage, she looks more at home than anywhere else. One look at this elegant young woman and it’s clear her life has been changed. This is Miss Oklahoma.

This is Taylor Treat.

Raised in Ada, former OU pom squad captain Treat began her pageant career by competing for the chance to represent her hometown when the Miss Ada pageant was reinstated after 21 years. With that crown, she was hooked.

Treat, human relations senior, says winning Miss Ada was when she knew that pageants were where she belonged.

Treat then began college at OU and was selected as Miss OU in 2007 and 2009.

Both years, she acted as a representative for OU in the Miss Oklahoma pageant.

“My first year at Miss Oklahoma was completely a blur,” Treat says.

She also says that although she didn’t win the pageant in 2007, the experience she got by just competing helped her the second time around. In June 2009, Treat became the first Miss OU to be crowned Miss Oklahoma. As Miss Oklahoma, she has the opportunity to travel and spread news about her platform as well as serving as a motivational speaker at schools.

Treat’s platform is service learning, a program she became involved with her sophomore year of high school. Treat says that her alma mater, Ada High School, was the first high school in Oklahoma to institute the program, which requires students to complete a minimum amount of community service hours in order to graduate. Her involvement with service learning led Treat to becoming an ambassador for Learn and Serve America.

Treat says she has a very close group

the pageant lane.

of friends that help her with her pageants preparations, including OU mascot coach Erik Gransberg. Gransberg helps Treat design her workout routines as well as serving as a motivational coach on days when two workouts and an extremely strict diet don’t seem worth the title.

“It wasn’t so much the gym workouts I was putting together for her,” Gransberg says. “It was the positive reinforcement and being there with her every day.”

Gransberg says the thing that stood out to him the most about Treat was her drive. He said he expected her to come work out with him once or twice, decide it was too intense and then quit. Instead, Gransberg says Treat called him twice a day to work out with him.

Treat also uses a stylist, Norman native Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie, who was a contestant on season three of Heidi Klum’s critically acclaimed Project Runway.

Treat says she was most surprised about people’s opinions of pageant contestants. She adds that a lot of people think they can’t relate to the contestants.

“I love to put on my boots and go outside,” Treat says with a smile. “Most people think that pageant girls are snooty. Hopefully I’ve broken some of that this year.”

Gransberg calls Treat good-natured and compassionate.

“What you see is what you get,” Gransberg says. “And what you get is pretty awesome.”

Academic affairs senior and current pom squad captain Lauren Yeary met Treat through pom and the two became close friends when Yeary joined Treat’s sorority. Yeary agrees with Gransberg and praises Treat’s leadership skills.

“I think what makes Taylor so amazing is that she’s a great friend and she’s just on your level and she’s very relatable, but at the same time, she’s a great role model and an amazing leader,”

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Yeary says.

Although being Miss Oklahoma is a once-ina-lifetime experience that most people only dream about, Treat is quick to point out that it’s not all fun and games. She says after she was crowned at 10:30 p.m., she was immediately put in press conferences and meetings and moved into an apartment in Tulsa. Treat says she didn’t see her family after her crowning until 3:30 the next morning.

“The thing that people don’t understand is that I gave up this whole separate life to go be Miss Oklahoma — and I love it, don’t get me wrong — but it’s hard,” Treat says.

She says that even though she is busy traveling to raise awareness of service learning, she always finds time to stay active on campus. She has been involved in Kappa Alpha Theta, OU Pom Squad and the Miss OU Pageant.

Treat is scheduled to compete for Miss America on Jan. 30. This year, America will get the opportunity to choose four contestants to have an automatic bid into the final 10, Treat says, so it’s very important for Oklahomans to be aware and to vote.

Yeary says that she is not concerned about Treat’s upcoming competition.

“She’s very driven and motivated and when she sets a goal for herself she does absolutely everything in her power to make sure she gets it,” she says.

Gransberg echoes that statement.

“I fully expect Taylor to win Miss America,” he says. “She’s like the Adrian Peterson of pageants — when she doesn’t want to be stopped, she won’t let anyone stop her.”

ladies

Only 1.23 percent of all the teams have the opportunity to say they competed in the Final Four in any given year. And this year, the women’s basketball team found themselves on the biggest stage for a women’s college team.

The Alamodome in San Antonio set the stage for the 2010 Women’s Final Four. It was here that a large number of women’s college basketball fans were surprised to see the Sooners among the company of the University of Connecticut Huskies, Baylor Bears and Stanford Cardinal, their opponent in the National Semifinal.

Following a trip to the 2009 Final Four, the 2010 squad faced the graduation of Courtney and Ashley Paris. A void of inexperience was left at the inside positions, especially by Courtney, who earned All-American status all four of her collegiate years.

Then, sophomore guard and 2009 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Whitney Hand, tore her ACL in the fifth game of the season against San Diego State, ending her season.

This team wasn’t supposed to make the trip to San Antonio, especially as a No. 3 seed, but they did thanks to the effort and development of players.

“We all just fought, man. I’m just proud of everybody,” says Amanda Thompson, senior forward. “And where we’ve come, nobody can take that away from us.”

On April 4, the Sooners suffered a 73-66 defeat at the hands of the Cardinal. Stanford, a No. 1 seed in the tournament and No. 2 overall, whose only loss of the year had been to Connecticut, later claimed their second consecutive national title and undefeated season.

At one point in the first half, the team was down by 17 points. With 8:31 left in the game, the deficit was 16. With 16 seconds left, the Sooners only trailed by 3.

“It was too little too late,” said head coach Sherri Coale.

But it was a year of unexpected success nonetheless.With the loss of key players who lead the team to a program record 32 wins in 2008-2009, new leaders were forced to emerge.

Yet, it is hard to pinpoint and credit just one player.

Thompson led the Big 12 in rebounding with 10.5 per game while serving as team captain for the third straight season. Junior point guard Danielle Robinson averaged a career high 16.8 points

2 3

royal

-Osi Aken’Ova, film and video studies and communications senior

A drunk driver ruined something precious. Amber Apodaca.

Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.

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number

crisis line

[help is just a phone call away]

}

per game in route to earning State Farm Coaches’ All-American and Associated Press All-America Third Team selection honors.

In NCAA tournament play, senior forward Nyeshia Stevenson nabbed the Most Outstanding Player of the Kansas City Regional honor after scoring a game-winning three-pointer against Notre Dame in overtime and tallied 31 points against Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen.

A much-needed presence at the center position, senior Abi Olajuwon went from playing behind the Paris twins to stepping into the stoplight. Olajuwon started all 38 games of the season, averaging 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds while leading the team with 50.6 percent field goal percentage.

And other players on the roster provided consistency as well.

Finishing the season with a 27-11 record may be deceiving for some. Yet, all 11 of the Sooners losses came against squads ranked in the Top 25, with an admirable run through the Big 12 Tournament capping off with a runner-up finish against conference opponent Texas A&M. In the regular season, the team faced three of the eventual No. 1 seeds in the tournament—the Tennessee Volunteers, Connecticut Huskies and Nebraska Cornhuskers. The list rounded out when they faced Stanford.

On Feb. 15, the Sooners welcomed into town the undisputable No. 1 team in the nation, the UConn Huskies, who were riding a 64-game winning streak. The game marked the third annual “Pack the Place Pink” night intended to raise breast cancer awareness.

Although the team dropped a 76-60 loss, the game was much closer than the final score indicates. At halftime, the squad trailed by two points and lead the Huskies with 16 minutes left to play, making them one of two teams this season (the other being Stanford) to lead UConn in the second half.

And the resiliency of this team will be its strongest legacy. The way they found ways to win in face of adversity, all the way to the Final Four, will be what Sooner fans remember.

“I’m unbelievably proud of these kids. I cannot express what a joy it has been to coach them, how refreshing it has been and their willingness to learn, their drive, their belief, their faith, how they are with one another,” Coale said. “It’s been everything that’s good about college basketball, and I feel blessed to have been their coach.”

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showstompers

Men’s:

First: OU’s Delta Sigma Theta, Nightmare on Elm First: OU’s Alpha Phi Alpha, Beauty and the Street Geek Second: OSU’s Alpha Kappa Alpha, Greek Life is a Second: Texas A&M’s Alpha Phi Alpha, Cinderella Critical Condition Third: University of Texas at Arlington’s Third: OU’s Zeta Phi Beta, Designer’s Nightmare Primetime Steppers, The Wizard of Oz

After a two-year absence, Stompdown was back bigger than ever.

visit our art gallery today 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Gaylord Hall

to see our award-winning photos and designs!

Sooner yearbook is a publication of OU Student Media in the division of Student Affairs. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

-Laron Chapman, film and video studies sophomore

I haven’t written much about Jonah Hex because cowboy comics don’t tickle my fancy, but after seeing the Jonah Hex movie trailer, you have to buy today’s reprint, the title depends on it. So maybe it doesn’t, but the Jonah Hex movie looks terrible; it’s filled with supernatural elements, gadgets and campy dialogue that have no place in a western comic book. It’s like a bad version of “Wild Wild West,” and not even a double-platinum soundtrack could redeem that God-awful film.

You can tell comic book writer’s Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Grey are fans of the western genre as they appropriate every element present in the films and transfer them to the book. Their plotting and pacing of the film is so precise, you can almost hear an Ennio Morricone score playing in the middle of a shoot-out sequence. It’s that good. Instead of paying $7 to hear Megan Fox speak in a terrible Southern accent and see Josh Brolin make a fool of himself, you can just mosey on down to a comic book store and get “Jonah Hex #1” for $1.

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Also, his makeup makes him look more like one of George A. Romero’s zombies than a sadistic burn victim. Viewers will likely appreciate the reoccurrence of classic set-pieces from the original, such as the infamous bathtub sequence. Also, the production value is at times a gruesome feast for the eyes. There is no denying that “Nightmare” is stylish. However, these few blessings are not enough to keep other aspects of the film from f e e l i n g stale and generic. It is about time Freddy gave it a rest.

JONAH HEX #1

Photo by Michael Mazzeo

One … two … Freddy’s coming for you … again?

After 26 years, nearly 137 teenage victims and seven sequels (eight if you include his bloody quarrel with horror rival Jason Voorhees), you’d think Mr. Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley) would be exhausted from his tiresome efforts attempting to scare the piss out of the hopeless youths of Elm Street. By now his Christmas sweater should be out of style (considering, it ever was) and frayed from overuse, his razor claws rusted to pieces while his hands ache from arthritis.

However, such technicalities are not applicable in the nightmare world. Apparently, neither is keeping the same actor in the menacing title role.

The recent remakes of “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” reveal that Hollywood is running out of creative ideas for movie premises. However, ironically, they are not running out of cash to generate such films, capitalizing on the once original ideas of other filmmakers. Musicvideo director Samuel Bayer’s installment to the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise is Hollywood’s latest attempt to milk a great artist’s work for all its worth.

Suburban teenagers Quentin (Kyle Gallner) Jesse (Thomas Dekker), Nancy (Rooney Mara), Kris (Katie Cassidy) and Dean (Kellan Lutz) are having difficulty sleeping. No, they have not been staying up late, getting wasted and trashing local bars.

Neither have they been diligently studying for their finals in the approaching weeks. Their perpetual insomnia is the result of being terrorized by a sadistic dream hunter who looks like

325-6963 (NYNE)

OU Number Nyne Crisis Line 8 p.m.-4 a.m. every day except OU holidays and breaks