The Student Voice Since 1903 University of Central Oklahoma
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
First lady declares: March to celebrate youth arts by Heather Warlick Staff Writer Students, educators and legislators will celebrate Youth Arts Day 9 a.m. to noon March 7 on the fourth floor of the State Capitol Rotunda. Oklahoma’s first lady, Kim Henry, will declare March “Youth Arts Month” in Oklahoma. The purpose of the day will be to raise awareness of the importance of funding for the arts in education. “We want to show legislators how important the arts are to everybody,” said Inez Banks, program director of the UCO College of Arts, Media & Design. “The arts foster imagination and creativity for students.” Jennifer Warren, current Miss Oklahoma and former Miss UCO will also speak at Youth Arts Day. She will discuss how the performing arts changed her life and why arts funding should be a priority for Oklahoma lawmakers. Interim Dean of the UCO College of Arts, Media & Design, Dr. John Clinton, will act as Master of Ceremonies, and the UCO Combo Ensemble, directed by Dr. Kent Kidwell, professor of music will open the festivities. Other performers range from middle school to college level groups, including the Classen School of Advanced Studies Dance Department, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Children’s Chorus, the Verdigris High School Jazz Combo and the Chickasaw Children’s Chorus. UCO alumna, Missy Attebery, elementary music teacher at Chisholm Elementary School said Edmond schools could use more state funding for the arts, but support from bonds, ParentTeacher Organizations and student fundraisers have allowed the arts to thrive in spite of relatively low state funding. “Edmond is a surprisingly poor district, because we don’t have very much industry, so our tax base isn’t very high,” Attebery said. “Statistics prove that children who study muisic at an early age are going to do better in their academic subjects,” Attebery said. “The research is very strong that it helps with higher thinking and organization skills.” She said the arts are “a way for students to express their feelings,” and “a way to be part of something.” Youth Arts Day is free to the public and is sponsored by CreateOK and the Oklahoma Arts Education Coalition.
by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki
Start spreadin' the news
The UCO Kaleidoscope Dancers practice for their upcoming concert in the Health and P.E. Building March 2. The concert premieres March 9 at Mitchell Hall.
Our parents had malt shops; we have 'Facebook' by Nathan Winfrey Senior Staff Writer The one year anniversary of UCO’s introduction to the online student directory, Facebook.com, approaches and with new features added regularly, the Web site continues to be a social nexus and chronic time consumer for busy students. Launched on Feb. 4, 2004 by founder Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook connects thousands of colleges, universities and high schools nationwide, and thousands of UCO student profiles have been added to the
UCO Policy Institute's study shows state government growing
free online directory. Faculty can also participate, as long as they have a school e-mail address. A profile consists of a student’s picture and personal information such as their major, home town, relationship status, likes and dislikes. Students can search for profiles and information on people at their school as well as students at other colleges and high schools. Members may request links to people they know through “friendships.” “Everyone does it, and it’s kind of a fad,” said Nick Cooper, a nursing sophomore who said he will never add his profile to the network. “It’s impersonal.”
Cooper said his friends tease him about not joining Facebook and tell him it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends, but he said he tells them, “If I want to keep in touch with someone I’ll call them or write them a letter.” Ryan Smith, sports medicine sophomore, said he signed up two or three hours after the service became available at UCO. He said he has 330 “friends,” and he knows almost all of them in real life.
see FACEBOOK, page 8
Senate hopeful solicits help of UCO democrats
Opera star performs at Mitchell Hall
Offers students a 'constructive internship'
by Mark Hall Staff Writer The UCO Policy Institute released a study revealing that Oklahoma’s government grew faster than the national average from 1992-2002. The study, titled “Growth in Oklahoma’s State and Local Governments from 1992-2002,” had Oklahoma ranked 10th in the nation in tax revenue growth for the 10-year span, but if the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, a proposal that would regulate the amount of government growth, had been in place, Oklahoma would have been ranked 49th. “The report is trying to explain whether the growth is good for Oklahoma,” said Dr. Susanne Currier, associate director of the UCO Policy Institute. “Oklahoma’s growth declined after 2002 due to recession,” said Dr. Mickey Hepner, the study’s author and director of the UCO Policy Institute. “The government just recently regained the page amount see TAX, 9
by Alex Gambill Staff Writer
State senate candidate Tim Emrich spoke Feb. 1 to the UCO Young Democrats at their meeting about his campaign and encouraged the students to intern for his primary election July 25. Emrich was the deputy director of presidential scheduling for President Clinton by Vista photographer Midori Sasaki during his second term. Leona Mitchell, UCO music department artist-in-residence, performs Richard Emrich said he announced Strauss' "Zueignung" March 3 in the Mitchell Hall Theater. his candidacy Jan. 20, 2005 for Norman’s District 16. “You cannot sacrifice your integrity,” Emrich said. “I believe people need a voice at the State Capitol, and I believe special interest groups and big and Davis said he’s been on the qualified after winning sev- would advance to nationals. corporations don’t.” team for five years. enth place in a tournament at After that tournament UCO He told the students if they “This is the first year we’ve the Kansas City Community ranked No. 22. have good ideas and want to worked together,” Shook said. College. She said the tour“This (NDT) is the most difmake a difference they should “At one point you get enough nament determined the top 25 ficult tournament of the year,” run for office. credibility and evidence that it teams in a five state radius- Shook said. Kim Roberts, political sciworks.” Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, see DEBATE, page 3 Shook said she and Davis Missouri and Arkansas- that
UCO to send team to National Debate Tournament by Courtney Bryce Managing Editor Two members of the UCO Debate Team head to the National Debate Tournament March 23-26 at Northwestern University in Chicago.
Lindsey Shook and James Davis, interpersonal communication seniors and debate partners, said this is the first time in 16 years that a team from UCO has qualified for the NDT. Shook said she has been on the debate team for four years,
Friday Night Live returns
The Student Programming Board hosts the first installment of 'Friday Night Live' for the spring semester.
See News pg. 9
see EMRICH, page 4
World News Briefs Get a sampling of the major news stories around the world, including a recap of the 78th annual Academy Awards March 5 in Los Angeles.
See News pg. 7
'Awesome Radio' debuts this week Arianna Poland debuts her new radio show, which will feature the music of local bands, March 7.
See News pg. 5