The blog of a single father Th eVistaatiline-acom -
Jan. 15, 2009
www.thevistaonline.com
11111.1111=111111=111=11=MID Former student Class in ‘inter'session gets prison for Ryan Croft bomb hoax Senior Reporler
Shandy sentenced to 27 months Nelson Solomon and Greg Newby
A federal judge sentenced a former UCO student to 27 months in a federal penitentiary on Dec. 19 for falsely reporting a terrorism threat against the university last spring. U.S. Attorney Photo Provided John Richter emphasized that SHANDY Jason Ray Shandy, 19, made his situation worse by not recanting his story when given the opportunity by investigators. "When he was repeatedly given the opportunity to take his story back, he only exacerbated the situation [by sticking with his story] and did nothing but increase the concern of UCO and law enforcement Officials," he said.
Timely graduation: it is one of the most intense pressures you will face during your college experience. Year after year, parents, teachers and advisement counselors hammer into students' heads the "graduate in four years" philosophy. That pressure can cause students to overload themselves with classes during the spring and fall
semesters to keep from slipping into the "5th Year Plus" senior category. There are often few options to help the overwhelmed student to lighten the load. To avoid lengthening their college careers, some students take intersession courses. "Intersession classes are condensed courses meeting during the weeks between the regular semesters." according to UCO's Frequently Asked Questions page. "Three
intersessions occur during the year (Fall—August; Winter— during Christmas Break; and Summer—May)." Winter intersession cours- TRANSPORTATION es, which count towards credit BUM-A-BIKE OFFERS NEW towards the spring semester, WHEELS FOR EVERYONE usually run for two weeks dur- Kick off the new year by leaving the car ing the break and last around in the garage and spinning a differfour and a-half hours each day. ent set of wheels. UCO's Bum-a-Bike "I was a little skeptical [about program gained six new women's-style intersession] at first, because bikes and one tricycle last Thursday. it's crammed into two weeks." see page 3 junior Helmer Johnson said. SPORTS see CLASS, page 7 Women's basketball send Cats home with 'I,' The UCO women's basketball team hosted a down-to-the-wire game against the Abeline Christian Wildcats last Thursday evening.
Hockey splits with Sun Devils UCO split two games against the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Sun Devils came to Edmond to play against the Bronchos last Friday and Saturday at Arctic Edge Arena.
see page 11
NEWS Wellness Center to offer kung fu classes Starting this week, the Wellness Center is offering a helping hand for students who are interested in increasing their fitness, but not sure where to start. The center has added two classes, Yoga Tai Chi and Five Animal Kung Fu.
see SHANDY, page 5
Oklahoma school safety discussed at conference Stephani Tobin
Roller Derby season kicks off Saturday
SIgli 11 rites
Oklahoma public school administrators, library media specialists and counselors had the opportunity to network and confer about school safety last Thursday, after a request from public school officials to meet and discuss safety planning. The first annual Oklahoma Central Region Safety Conference, which was planned from this request, was held last Thursday afternoon at the College of Education and Professional Studies. About 100 people were invited from Oklahoma public schools. The conference was divided into three segments, focusing on adminstrators, counselors and library media specialists. Each segment allowed the group to discuss their roles in a crisis situation. At the end of the conference, an open forum was provided for guests to discuss ideas, strengths and weaknesses. "It is not just the school shooter," said Lea Ann Garcia, program coordinator for guidance and school counseling at UCO.
see SAFETY, page 5 TOP 3 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND `Metropolis' art exhibit on display at the Paseo Gallery (2810 N. Walker) Friday at 6 p.m. . to 10 p.m. Sundance winning film "Ballest,"2 showing at the Oklahoma City Art Museum Friday and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
3
My Bloody Valentine 3D opens in theaters on Friday.
Photo by Vista photographer Catie Dabney
A welder and two other construction workers labor on the Forensic Science building Wednesday. The new building is located on 2nd Street across the street from the OSBI Crime Lab and is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2009.
The Tornado Alley Rollergirls kick off their third season this Saturday with the "Busting Out Against Breast Cancer" derby.
see page 2
Webb reluctant to tap 'Rainy Day' reservoir Go online! find the best solution," President Webb said. .S'Ialf '11/ rit(•i. Last November, the State Regents called on UCO President Roger the Oklahoma Legislature Webb has not joined OU for $80.4 million in President David Boren's new money to help with recent call to tap the state's increased costs, such as "Rainy Day Fund" to help with energy and retirewith increased operating ment expenses. costs at the state's colleges Despite fears the and universities. national economic crisis In a statement, will cause state revenue to President Webb said he drop, by some estimates, "would be almost $309 reluctant to million, the recommend Regents have tapping into continued Oklahoma's to lobby for Rainy Day the money. fund for an Recently, OU ongoing operPresident ating budget Boren called item, as that on state lawfund is set makers to dip up for oneinto the emertime expendigency "Rainy tures." Day" fund. "We sup"That P Photo Provided port [Oklahoma request is preState Regents for mature," said WEBB Higher Education] Dr. Sue Lynn Chancellor Johnson, the State Regents, and our legislators in working to see FUNDING, page 5
Caleb McWilliams
WHAT IS THE RAINY DAY FUND? • The Oklahoma Legislature created the Rainy Day fund, or, officially, Constitutional Reserve Fund, in 1985, to take advantage of flush years in state revenue. As of September 2007, the balance in the Rainy Day fund was $571.6 million. • Three-eighths of the fund are set aside for revenue shortfalls in the current fiscal year, and another three-eights of the fund are set aside for expected revenue shortfalls in the next fiscal year. • The last quarter of the fund is set aside for emergencies, declared by the governor and 75 percent of the legislature. At current levels, that amount is approximately $142.9 million. • The Rainy Day fund, capped at an amount 10 percent of General Revenue fund for the previous year, is outlined in Article X, Section 23 of the Oklahoma Constitution. It stipulates that appropriations "made from said Fund shall be considered special appropriates."
Bffikaissas Slogs Liquid Assets with Caleb McWilliams
From Vista finance reporter Caleb McWilliams comes a blog about the financial, political and other relevant happenings in Central Oklahoma affecting UCO.
I nside the Lines with Chris Wescott
Sports reporter Chris Wescott brings you all sports, all the time, with Broncho scores, mini articles and quotes from players' and coachs' interviews.
Snap. Crackle. Pop Culture. with Stephani Tobin
Men do less than they ought, unless they do all they can. Thomas Carlyle
Stephani writes about day-to-day pop culture, new and old movies, shameless celebrity gossip, the music she has playing repeatedly on her iPod and her American Idol obsession.