The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2005
University finishes first phase of construction on ropes course ■
The course is planned to be completed by summer. by Joseph Wertz Senior Staff Writer
Construction has begun on a ropes course on the southeast corner of campus. The ropes course is scheduled to open this summer and will be available to students and student organizations. Ropes courses challenge participants to use teamwork to overcome physical obstacles. The Wellness Center is operating the ropes course as part of their "UCORE" program, which focuses on outdoor programming. The campus ropes course will have both "low and high elements." The low elements are only a few feet off the ground. Participants must complete the low elements before they are allowed to attempt any high elements. The high elements require safety harnesses with much of the course suspended above the ground. "Many of the challenges are designed to help overcome certain fears," said Fred Fieth, assistant director of Recreation
Photo by Justin Avera
Jennifer Warren crowns Keelee Bright Miss UCO 2005. Fifteen contestants vied for the title. For more photos from the Miss UCO pageant, see page 5.
by Trisha Evans Staff Writer
Keelee Bright was crowned 'Miss UCO', winning more than $3,000 in scholarship money at the 29th Annual Scholarship Pageant Jan. 22 in Mitchell Hall. "This is one of the most
prestigious pageants in Oklahoma and has a bid each year in the Miss Oklahoma pageant," said Brooke Wilson, member of the Miss UCO Scholarship Pageant Board of Directors. Fifteen students competed for the crown. "Just for competing, they (contestants) received $100," said
Wilson. This is the first year each student has been given money because of fundraising and donations the pageant board was able to collect. "Miss UCO is a pre-qualifier to the Miss Oklahoma
see MISS UCO, page 3
"
Student activity board cancels meeting, reschedules for Feb. by Michael Robertson Staff Writer
Bright crowned Miss UCO
Services. The construction cost for the ropes course is approximately $60,000 and will be funded through the Wellness Center budget, as well as outside donations. Fieth said the cost to parcicipate will be $15 to $30 per person. "We had the concept a year ago for an outdoor program," said Mark Herrin director of the Wellness Center. "This is just one component of it." . Large telephone poles were erected in the first phase of construction, completed on Jan. 17. "In the next phase of construction a company will string the wire," Herrin said. "There is some overhead Photo by Justin Avera associated with the purchase, replacement and repair of the Telephone poles erected on the safety equipment," Herrin said, southeast side of campus will "but we are trying to keep the soon be a ropes course. costs to students at a mini"We are taking a preliminary mum. Herrin said renting use of the look to see if the outside market facility to outside groups and can offset some of the costs," organizations will balance some said Herrin. Groups using the ropes of the costs. No decision has been made course must have a minimum of as to who will run the ropes 10 people. Finishing the course course. Many schools that offer will takes several hours, howeva ropes course program contract er participants have the option an outside company to provide of completing the low elements instructors. Ropes course only. instructors must be certified and Joseph Wertz can be reached at have special training. jwertz@thevistaonline.com .
The UCO Student Activity Board's first scheduled meeting of the semester was canceled Jan. 20. Lane Perry, student body president, said the meeting was canceled because no one submitted applications for SAB funds. "We have new senators every semester, and they don't always know about the paperwork," Perry said. The SAB distributes funds to student organizations each
month to cover activity expenses. Senators from student organizations must apply for the money in advance and provide information about why they need the money and what it will be used for. Perry said that the next SAB meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24. Applications for SAB fund consideration are available in the UCO Student Association office on the first floor of the Nigh University Center. Michael Robertson can be reached at mrobertson@thevistaonline.com .
Taser use by campus police officers on rise ■
UCO Department of Public Safety is considering use of the non-lethal weapon. by Joseph Wertz Senior Staff Writer
Oklahoma College and university police departments are following a nationwide trend in law enforcement adopting "less than lethal" weapons and tactics, including the use of "Tasers." Tasers are hand-held devices similar in shape to handguns. They fire skin-piercing probes and immobilize subjects with strong electric currents. The UCO Department of Public Safety isn't currently using Tasers. "We are assessing the application of Tasers," said Jeff Harp dilector of Public Safety at UCO. "We have to assess our environment as well as budget concerns."
lasers can cost as much as $500 each, with each firing of the device costing around $25. Law enforcement officers must undergo special training to use Tasers. "Part of the training process involves firing the Taser four or five times at a target," Harp said. In addition to the target practice, police officers themselves are also shot with the taser as part of their training. The University of Oklahoma Police Department uses lasers, as well as the Oklahoma City Police Department. "We have been using Tasers for a couple of years now," said Sgt. Gary Robinson with the OUPD. "Anytime we use them we take the subject to the hospital because the barbs [probes] penetrate the skin." Pepper spray is another less than lethal tactic used by law enforcement.
see TASER, page 3
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS ■ The payroll office will have W2 tax forms for employees available this week during the following times: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Jan. 25-26, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 27-28. ■ There are no longer any restrictions on who is eligible to receive flu shots, and they are available for any UCO student, faculty or staff member. The cost is $15 by cash or check. Contact the Student Health Center at 974-2319 for more information. ■ Donations for the Lt. Col. Terry May Memorial Park are being accepted at the ROTC office. For more information, contact Lt. Col. Stuart Jolly or Capt. Mike Lewczak at 9475167, or Anne Holberlein at 974-2770. ■ The International Student Council will sponsor a tsunami relief fund from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 13 through 27 near the food court of the Nigh University Center. ■ An open workshop in creative writing sponsored by the Creative Studies Writers' Institute will be on the second and fourth Thursdays every month this semester in the Liberal Arts Building room 136 at 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Kevin Adkisson at 476-4159.
INDEX Opinion News Campus Events Sports Classifieds
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American Democracy Project Photo by Naomi Takebuchi
From left, Olanrewaju Daniels and Imtiaz Ahmed, International Student Council members, sponsor a fund-raising campaign Jan. 20 for last month's Asian tsunami. The group will collect cash and check donations at their booth in the University Center through Jan. 27.
For more information about the ADP at UCO, visit www.thevistaonline.com