The Vista Feb 21, 2006

Page 1

The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2006

Apartment fire leaves nine students homeless Repairs were near completion from November fire when new blaze sparked by Heather Warlick Staff Writer

Nine UCO students lost their homes when fire broke out around noon, Feb. 17 at Kennedy Place Apartments, 1010 Kennedy Ave. Electricians, carpenters and carpet layers were only five days from completing the repairs from the November fire when flames sparked again. "It started when the carpet layers had their rubber mat up against the base board heaters," said Jason Hamilton, one of the electricians working in the building before the fire. Maya Johnson, UCO 'student and mother of a six-year-old son stood, wrapped in a blanket, watching her apartment burn. Still recovering from the November fire, she was in shock and disbelief that it was happening again. Johnson said that she was alone in her bedroom when she smelled the smoke. She opened her bedroom door and was faced with the flames that had already by Vista photographer Brett Deering

see FIRE, page 3 Edmond firefighters with fresh oxygen tanks prepare to go into an apartment fire at 1010 Kennedy Ave. Feb. 17 across the street from Wantland Stadium.

It's no Torino, but it sure is fun

New bill could mean millions for UCO by Heather Warlick Staff Writer

New legislation before Oklahoma's congress could mean millions more in funding for UCO. UCO has been under-funded by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for more than two decades and faculty and students have good reason to complain, UCO Vice President, Steve Kreidler said. "UCO is doing a tremendous job with the limited resources they have," State Sen. Clark Jolley said. "But it's wrong and unfair that a student at

UCO grad Pemberton sentenced

UCO is worth so much less than a student at any other regional university in the state. It's just wrong." UCO receives the least funding per student of all the state universities in Oklahoma, Kreidler said. This year, Kreidler said UCO received $3,693 per "full time equivalent" student from the state. That is $978 less than the average of the other five universities in the same tier. Kreidler's statistics indicate a discrepancy of $12,023,586 per year. Oklahoma universities are grouped according to their mission and popu-

lation. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, being research universities, receive much more funding and are in a different tier than UCO. UCO is the largest university in the same tier as Southeastern Oklahoma State, Cameron, Northeastern State, East Central and Southwestern Oklahoma State universities. Kreidler's statistics, however, show that on a per student basis, UCO is only being funded at about 85 percent see BILL, page 3

Genetics of Genius Biology professor donates sperm for 'Advancement of Man'

by Heather Warlick Staff Writer

by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki

Robin Lacy, chairman of occupational and technology education, left, pulls his son, Brennan, on a sled past Broncho Lake Monday, Feb. 20.

Bradley Chase Pemberton, UCO alumnus, was sentenced Feb. 17 to 45 years in prison for his crimes of sexual battery and conspiracy to commit murder. He was convicted Feb. 8 of attempting to arrange a murder for hire scheme to kill a 17 year-old-girl who accused him of sexual battery. His attorney, Michael Rogalin said that Pemberton will be seeking an appeal. Twyla Mason-Gray, ruling Oklahoma County District judge said that no appeal paperwork

see SENTENCE, page 3

Local band 'Hollow' makes good Local band acheives a dream, with a little help from Jon Bon Jovi.

See Entertainment pg. 11

by Nathan Winfrey Senior Staff Writer

UCO biology professor Dr. Jim Bidlack has recently spoken out about his role in a controversial genetics experiment meant to improve the intelligence of humankind, funded by late multimillionaire inventor Robert Graham. Bidlack received a letter in June 1996 from the Foundation for the Advancement of Man, inviting him to take part in an unprecedented experiment to enrich the human gene pool through the donation of sperm from contributors who excel

see BIDLACK, page 9

Record lottery jackpot still unclaimed A gas station in Lincoln, Neb. sold the winning ticket for the record $365 million Powerball jackpot, but no one has yet claimed the prize.

See News pg. 7

by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki

UCO biology professor Dr. Jim Bidlack has participated since 1996 in a genetics experiment to 'improve the intelligence of humankind.'

Wrestlers head to regionals UCO's regular season ends with a 52-0 romp against Southern Illinois - Edwardsville.

See Sports pg. 14


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