The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2005
Illegal substance linked to former student's death
A cold, cold heart...
by Joseph Wertz Senior Staff Writer
A 24-year-old former UCO journalism student, Angela Abbitt, died Oct. 21 of a combination of alcohol and an illegal drug, according to a report released Friday by the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner. The probable cause of death is listed in the report as a cornbined intoxication with alcohol and gamma-hydroxybutyrate, commonly known as GHB.
GHB is an illegal substance that causes sedative and euphoric effects and is often associated with "date rape" drugs such as Rohypnol. GHB is used recreationally but has been linked with sexual assaults where victims have been drugged. "We don't have any information that this is a homicide," said Capt. Jeffrey Becker, public information officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department. Combining GHB use with
alcohol effectively doubles the sedative effect, said Kim Stanton, a poison specialist and pharmacist with the Oklahoma Poison Control Center. "GHB is a sedative and depressant," Stanton said. "It really has an anesthetic effect that could incite hallucinations and delirium." The poison center had only one call relating to GHB in the year 2004, Stanton said. "It [GHB] used to be pretty
see GHB, page 3
UCOSA organizes capitol task force to meet this week by Trisha Evans Staff Writer
Photo by Justin Avera
A heart is drawn in the snow on the plaque of the original bell at Old North. Snow fell unexpectedly Jan. 28 in central Oklahoma as temperatures dipped near freezing.
Eighteen students met Jan. 25 in the UCO Student Association office to organize a task force of students to attend Gov. Brad Henry's State of the State Address at noon, Feb. 7. The group will rally support for the $500 million bond issue proposed for the 2005 legislative session. Student body President Lane Perry said UCO will havel 0 seats in the chamber out of the 50 reserved for students. The 50 seats are divided among the 30 higher education institutions in the state. The 10 representatives will wear T-shirts designed for the day. All other students who attend should dress business to
casual. "We're going to be very professional about it," Perry said. Information packets explaining how to lobby legislators were handed out. Perry urges students to use their own experience when talking to legislators. "Tell them what it means to you." Perry said UCO needs the money. "We're capped at 16,000 (students) until we get those new classrooms." If the bond issue passes, it would allocate $20 million dollars to UCO, which would go toward renovating Old North, building new classrooms and the forensic science building. Perry said we need the forensic science building to prove to the OSBI "that we want you guys here."
Professors travel to Poland for Holocaust tribute by Ashlie Campbell Staff Writer Four UCO music professors returned from Poland Jan. 20 where they participated in the production of a music album dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Pamela Richman, Marilyn Govich, Kevin Eckard and
Barbara Streets, who sang a piece from the opera, Jacek, were accompanied by 30 musicians from the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice, Poland. The opera, written by David Yeagley, is based on Jack Eisner's personal experience as a Holocaust survivor, as told in his book The Survivor of the
Holocaust. "The workers at the recording studio were marvelous to work with," said Streets. The four vocalists, personally invited by Yeagly, performed Act 1, Scene 2 from the opera, which consisted of five vocal parts. "We did some brilliant shifting of parts," said Streets.
During the trip, which lasted Jan. 11-20, the faculty members were also able to do some sightseeing, including visiting several concentration camps. "The trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau was very somber and really gave meaning to our project of recording an opera about the Holocaust," said Eckard. "There seemed to be an added
dimension to the recording process by recording in the region that the opera was set." The production coincided with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. "We are each very different, but we were fine traveling com-
see POLAND, page 3
Williams named "Miss Black UCO" ■
Photo by Naomi Takebuchi
Tanischa Williams, interpersonal communications junior, was crowned Miss Black UCO 2005 at Mitchell Hall Jan. 29.
of qualities throughout the the families know that "the difThirteen women tion night, • but mainly she searched ference they make in one percompeted in the 21st for "uniqueness, poise and con- son's life outweighs the cost." Second runner-up was annual scholarship fidence" in the personalities of Ezeala, a broadcasting sophothe contestants. pageant Jan. 29. Following "African more, who was asked why she Elegance," the evening gown felt it was important for inner portion of the competition, the city youth to be involved in by Ashley Romano Mistress and Master of cere- after-school programs. Staff Writer "I want kids to not be in the monies, Kimila Combs and Joe Murchison, announced the five streets," Ezeala said. She also said she wanted Tanischa Williams was finalists in random order: Tori crowned the 2005 "Miss Black Robinson, Elizabeth Heard, children to have some knowlUCO" Jan. 29 in Mitchell Hall Keondra Butler, Tanischa edge of their culture. and histoTheater. Williams and Queena Ezeala. ry. Danielle Smith, a speech "It was a total shock," Then, Nikkia Barr, Miss Williams said about winning Black UCO 2004, asked each of language pathology sophothe final five contestants projec- more, was awarded "Miss the crown. Congeniality." Thirteen women vied for the tion questions. The "Business Woman of Williams, an interpersonal title this year. The theme of the 21st annu- communications junior, was Tomorrow" award was given to al scholarship pageant, spon- asked why she felt African Tori Robinson, a public relasored by the Department of American women should be tions senior, for the greatest Campus Life, was "Origins of educated on women's health number of ad sales. After an intermission vote Our Beauty...a Voyage to issues. "Our bodies are what help us form the audience, the Africa." "People's Choice Award" was The contestants participated live," she said. She also discussed how presented to Tiara Sherrod, a in a swimsuit, a talent and an evening gown competition, the important it is for schools to business administration junior. "Most Photogenic" was interview portion, held on the teach healthy lifestyles. morning of Jan. 29, was worth Heard, a public relations awarded to Keondra Butler, a 25 points, and the women were senior, who received first run- pre-med/biology sophomore. Originally from Lawton, judged on articulation, appear- ner-up, was asked what she ance, intelligence and confi- would do to encourage African Okla., Williams has competed American families to take in in the "Miss Black and Gold" dence. Fachaitte Kinslow, a judge, teenage foster children. She said she would let said she looked for a combinasee WILLIAMS, page 3
Although only 10 students will get to sit in the chamber, Perry hopes more students will go and rally outside the Capitol at 9:30 a.m., Feb. 7. They will carpool to the Capitol at 8:30 a.m. in front of Nigh University Center. All students who sign up will be included in an e-mail from Campus Life Director Blake Fry, suggesting professors excuse them from class. Perry has asked political science professors to offer extra credit to their students who attend. - -The next meeting is at 5 p,m., Feb. 2, in the UCOSA office. At the meeting, they will decide who will fill thel 0 seats. Trisha Evans can be reached at tevans@thevistaonline.com.
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS ■ Applications are available for the Freshman Representative Council at the UCOSA office. The due date for applications is 5 p.m. Feb. 2. ■ UCO's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance will help taxpayers will their federal and state tax returns from Feb. 1 through April 12 in Rm. 347 of Thatcher Hall. For information, contact Dr. Mary Sheets at msheets@ucok.edu or at 974-2834. ■ The application for the UCO Foundation Scholarship is available at: www.ucok.edu/campus_life/ APPL2005.pdf. Sophomores, juniors and seniors who have completed at least one semester at UCO are eligible. The application is due Feb. 18. ■ 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 Holberiein at 974-2770.
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