The Vista Feb. 19, 2004

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Celebrating 100 Years

TIFIE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

NEWS FLASH

The

Student Voice Since 1903 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Duelling rallies combat bills

Rhode Island GOP condemns whitesonly scholarship The state Republican Party chairwoman said a new whites-only scholarship at Roger Williams University is disturbing and "does not move us forward in a reasonable debate over the issues." Patricia Morgan made her remarks after learning that the university's College Republicans were offering a $250 scholarship that is only open to applicants who are white. The group created the scholarship as a statement against affirmative action. Morgan said a debate over affirmative action is valid, but the student group's tactics have "racist overtones." "We have a zero tolerance for racism in the Republican Party," she said. "I'm really appalled by the way they brought this up." The application for the award requires an essay on why you are proud of your white heritage" and a recent picture to "confirm whiteness." "

Bob Stoops to visit campus, deliver address University of Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops will speak to the UCO community at noon March 8, in Constitution Hall, Nigh University Center, as a feature of Diversity Week at UCO. Coach Stoops will speak on "Leadership Building and Team Building." His visit is sponsored by the UCO Title III: Strengthening Institutions grant. Dr. LaMona Evans-Groce, who works in both the English department and Title III, called the lecture and exciting event that everyone should make a point to attend. A reception in front of Constitution Hall will begin at 11:30 a.m. with cookies and drinks. Coach Stoops will arrive at 11:45 a.m. He will be available for pictures at this time. His address will begin at noon and last approximately 20 minutes. Ten minutes will be allowed for questions after the address; then Coach Stoops will have to leave. All faculty and staff are invited to attend the event.

by Lauren Pulsinelli Staff Writer

Photo by Gavin Elliott

Members of Central's Gay Alliance for Tolerance and Equality hold their banner at a protest Feb. 17 at the state Capitol.

Prevalence of rape higher in heavy drinking environments BOSTON—(COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE) Rape is more common on college campuses with higher rates of binge drinking - and alcohol use is a central factor in most college rapes, finds a new study released Feb. 12. Overall, one in 20 (4.7 percent) women reported being raped in college since the beginning of the school year - a period of approximately 7 months - and nearly three :quarters of those rapes (72 percent) happened when the victims were so intoxicated they were unable to consent or refuse. These were among the findings of a study of 119 schools nationwide, by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study, Saint Joseph's University and the University of Arizona, published in the January 2004 issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol. Most significantly, women from colleges with medium and high binge-drinking rates had more than a 1.5-fold increased chance of being raped while intoxicated than those from schools with low binge- drinking rates. Other significant risk factors for rape were being under 21 years old, white,

residing in sorority houses, using illicit drugs and binge drinking in high school. "This study reveals that a woman's chance of being raped is far more pronounced on campuses where the student body as a whole engages in a high rate of binge drinking and when individuals consume a large amount of alcohol," said Meichun Mohler-Kuo, Sc.D., lead author of the study and research scientist at the College Alcohol Studies at Harvard School of Public Health. Heavy episodic drinking (or binge drinking) is the number one public health problem among college students - associated with a range of consequences that include lower grades, vandalism and physical and sexual violence. Indeed, frequent and even occasional binge drinkers were more likely to have been raped while intoxicated, the study found. In addition, this is the first study to compare the incidence of rape among intoxicated women on campuses with heavy drinking versus lower binge-drinking rates. "This study points to an urgent need for more alcohol prevention programs on campuses, along with sexual assault education," said Mary P. Koss,

Ph.D., professor of public health at the University of Arizona and a co-author of the study. "Men need education about what constitutes rape, and women should be better informed of strategies to avoid risky situations. Previous research shows that more women get raped while under the influence of alcohol than under the influence of any other so-called 'date rape' drug, such as GHB and Rohypnol." According to Henry Wechsler, Ph.D., a co-author of the study and director of the College Alcohol Studies at Harvard School of Public Health, "The findings that some campus environments are associated with higher levels of both drinking and rape can help encourage and better target alcohol and rape prevention programs at colleges." "Binge drinking isn't a harmless rite of passage but a risk factor in violenceagainst women," said George W. Dowdall, Ph.D., a co-author of the study and professor of sociology at Saint Joseph's University. "Institutions of higher education need to change the culture of college drinking in order to makecolleges safer and healthier environments."

Photo by Justin Avera

Supporters of the newly proposed federal Defense of Marriage Act rallied to support a similar state resolution Feb. 17 at the State Capitol while opponents of the legislation protested nearby. Represenatives Thad Balkman and Lance Cargill organized the `Protect Marriage' Rally on the south steps of the capitol. "We are here to rally for what I think is the most important issue facing the state of Oklahoma, that is defending and defining what marriage is," Balkman said. Balkman is co-author of House Bill 1027, which calls on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, and co-author of House Resolution 1028, which asks Congress to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. "We don't seek to deny any fundamental rights from anybody but we demand that government

perserve and protect marriage." The crowd chanted "one man, one woman" and waved "one man + one woman = marriage" signs. "We are here to support what we believe is right and to help the numbers," said Stephanie Ziegler, a supporter of the bills. Karen Weldin, a member of Soul Force in Oklahoma was a part of the crowd for different reasons. "Our whole country's at stake here. They want a theocracy. They don't want any minority religion," Weldin said. The state legislature's House session began at 1:30 p.m., immediately after the rally, a departure from their usual 9 a.m. start time. "We have to protect people who love one another — it's wrong and mean-spirited to use peoples' relationships as a political ploy," Weldin said. "They are bringing their religion into their politics, and threatening a democracy. You

see rally page 3

Disability Awareness Week Schedule 2/19-2/24 Feb. 19, 6 p.m. — Accommodation?" with Dr. Demonstration of wheelchair Brad Morelli, in Wellness basketball during halftime Center show, Hamilton Field House Feb. 24, 3 p.m. - Student Panel with SAS Organization Feb. 20 and 21, 9 a.m. — and moderator Dr. Trey Cone, NCAA Wheelchair Basketball in Wellness Center Tournament, in Hamilton Feb. 25, 10 a.m. — Deaf Field House and Wellness simulation with SAS Organization, at Evans Field Center Feb. 25, 1 p.m. — Basic Sign Feb. 22, 3 p.m. — Jr. Blaze Language with UCO SLP Basketball Team v. Oklahoma Program, in Wellness Center City Blazers hockey and Feb. 25, 2 p.m. — Wheelchair Basketball Game "Changing Your Life?" with & Silent Auction, Hamilton Christina Gilmore and Kelly Field House Birdwell in Wellness Center Feb. 26, 10 a.m. — Feb. 23, 11 a.m. — Opening ceremony with President W. Wheelchair Simulation with Roger Webb and Chancellor SAS Organization, in Wellness Paul Risser, in Wellness Center Center Gym Feb. 26, 1 p.m. — Basic Sign Gym Language with UCO SLP p.m. 12 Feb. 23, Photography Exhibit (refresh- Program, in Wellness Center 2 p.m. — Assistive ments served) by Ronah Technology in Higher Hunter, in Wellness Center Feb. 23, 2 p.m. — Student Education with Bob Utley, in Organizations' Wheelchair Wellness Center Basketball, SAS Organization, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. — LD in Wellness Center GymFeb. 24, 10 a.m. — Blind simulation Simulation with Dr. C. Myles(refreshments served), SAS Nixon & SCEC, at Evans Organization, at Evans Field Field Feb. 27, 1 p.m. — Seizures or in the Classroom with Misha Feb. 24, 1 p.m. — Basic Sign Moudy, in Wellness Center Language with UCO SLP Feb. 27, 2 p.m. — Driving Program, in Wellness Center Independently with John Feb. 24, 2 p.m. — "What is McGivern, in Wellness Center Reasonable a

Photo by Justin Avera

Kara Price, business sophomore, looks at The Book of Mormon, while Tyler Locke history sophomore, reads about Adam and Eve. Outside, Sarah Ayers, piano performance sophomore, and Ashley Salisbury, entertainment business sophomore, walk around campus promoting free Jamba Juice and free pizza at Latter Day Saints Student Association Open House Feb. 17.


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