www.thevistaonline.com
INSID E
111E
Page 2 The Round Table Page 5 Did You Know Page 10 Sports
The Student Voice of the University of Central Oklahoma Since 1903
March 8, 2007
Murdaugh Hall adds to UCO history by Aaron Wright Staff Writer In January 1937, Murdaugh Hall was opened to the female students at UCO. The plaque inside the staircase to the old front entrance says the building was a Works Progress Administration project. Thatcher Hall was opened the same year for the male students on campus. Total cost for both buildings was $580,000. The building was named for former UCO President Dr. Edmond D. Murdaugh. He served as president of then Central State Teacher's College from 1845-1901. "The new dormitories at Central State Teacher's College are superior in design and equipment, more comfortable in accommodations and more serviceable for student use than any others in the Southwest," said Guy Reid, an architect in the firm planned the construction of Murdaugh Hall and Thatcher hall to a Vista reporter in 1937. The main cafeteria used to be housed in the basement in Murdaugh before it was closed for the removal of asbestos, said David Stapleton, director of architectural and engineering services at UCO. For $21.50, the women of the university could live in a room on campus with furnishings including two beds, two study desks and chairs, two chests of
drawers and mirrors, two book shelves hanging on the wall, one sink, one medicine cabinet and one radiator, according to a 1937 issue of The Vista. When the cafeteria first opened, the evening meal was used as a social opportunity. Students would take turns acting as hosts or hostesses for their tables each evening. The same reporter wrote, "This is expected to be an interesting and novel method of developing social poise." Students were served by a uniformed wait staff of 14. Josh Overocker, director of housing, said they are looking into renovating the basement space. He said more than 10,000 sq. feet are not being used. One section of the basement is currently in use as a laundry room and lounge area. "It's affectionately referred to as the 'silver bullet area'," said Overocker. The walls are painted silver. Currently, the basement is only used during October for the haunted house Student Programming Board schedules. Being the oldest operating dorm at UCO, Murdaugh has gone through several changes. Although it was originally built as a female dormitory, it has been used as a coed living space. It is also currently the male dormitory and has been since East Hall was torn down. When it was used to house coed students, the building
by Vista photographer Alex Gambill
Murdaugh Hall turned 70 years old this past January. The building was named after former president Dr. Edmond D. Murdaugh. was split in half. Because of this, there are no urinals in the bathroom on the west side of Murdaugh Hall. Damage from doors that used to divide each middle hallway between the men's side and the women's side can still be seen in the walls. The old fire escapes have also been removed, explaining the doors leading to nowhere from each floor facing the patio. They did not meet fire code regulations since the exits were from the bathroom area. The two staircase columns on the north side of the building were added later to accommodate the code. Recent renovations were completed in the summer of 2006. The showers in the bath-
UCO and the Hornets team-up for Alumni Night
AP
Alumni Night, hosted by the UCO Alumni Association, will be March 13 at the Hornets game.
by Lyndsay Gillum Staff Writer Alumni Night, hosted by the UCO Alumni Association, will be March 13 at the upcoming Hornets game against the New Jersey Nets. Extra features during the game will include a performance from the UCO Color Guard, where they will present the flags during the opening ceremony and "Fan of the Game," where one lucky UCO fan will get to be the master of ceremonies. Either Hugo the Hornets' mascot or a Honeybee, Hornets' dance team, will give a special greeting to the UCO fans. "As supposed to just attending a Hornet's game, our alum-
ni and friends will get to sit in a `UCO section' and just enjoy several little UCO tidbits throughout the evening," said Juliane Morgan, special events coordinator for the Office of Alumni Relations. The Alumni Association has opened this night up to also include the student body, faculty and staff. The UCO seating section for ticket holders is located in the upper level of the center section of the Ford Center, Morgan said. "The Alumni Association serves as the voice for alumni," Morgan said. "We want to relay all of the great things going on around campus and we want to provide opportunities for our alumni to come back to
Watch News Central Channel 6 @ 5 P.m.
campus or the Hornet's game to get together as a group." Established in 1902, the UCO Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization that promotes the general welfare of the university through the support of its members. "We want our alumni to feel they can come to us if they have a concerns, comments or questions, we want to serve as that contact for them," Morgan said. "We're pretty successful at that; we have on a regular basis alumni calling us and even if it doesn't necessarily pertain to this office, we can pass that along for them." Tickets for the Hornets' game are limited and available for $25 for alumni and $15 for students. If individuals want their tickets mailed, they must have them ordered by March 9. Tickets will be available until March 13 for those wanting to pick them up. To order tickets or for more information, call 974-2421 or stop by the Office of Alumni Relations. Participants are encouraged to wear the UCO colors: bronze and blue. "This is the perfect opportunity for alumni and their families to enjoy an evening out," Morgan said. "We are here to let alumni know we're their voice and are here for them."
Lyndsay Gillum can be reached at Igillum@thevistaonline.com.
rooms were re-tiled and the lounge area was remodeled. "We're in the process of a master plan process," said Overocker. He said future plans for housing are being decided right now. The challenge is in deciding whether to build new building or revamp old ones, Overocker said. "You have to weight those values. Does this building add historical significance?" said Overocker. The director of housing said aspects of Murdaugh Hall, such as the floors and the crown molding, are not affordable in this day-in-age to put in new housing options. "This makes me sound a
little bit dorky, but I love the hardwood floors in the lobby," said Kyle Thompson, senior residence assistant of Murdaugh Hall. "It's not too modern, but it's not to old-timey." Thompson has been a resident of the dormitory since August 2004. He said since he has been a resident, a plasma screen television has been given to the dormitory as well as the lobby being repainted, the pool tables refinished and wireless Internet installed. "They're taking baby steps to make it better," he said. Overocker said Murdaugh Hall and West Hall provide more traditional college living for students.
One resident chose to live in Murdaugh Hall for that very reason. "I wanted to get the college experience at least one time in my life," said Yancy Scott, information systems and operation management analysis junior. In a Dedication Service program for Murdaugh Hall from May 23, 1937, a dedication statement read, "To the cause of education in its solemn responsibility of helping youth to know life, to discover their own resources and in challenging them to meet the needs of human society in their day, We dedicate this house." Aaron Wright can be reached at awright@thevistaonline.com .
Time capsule needing items
by Vista photographer Alex Gambill
Student organizations are currently bringing items for the UCO time capsule. by Aaron Wright Staff Writer Student organizations have until Friday at 5 p.m. to bring items for the UCO time capsule to the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association office in NUC Rm. 148. Organizations should bring items representing their organization, said Michael Goodman, student body president. He suggested pictures, T-shirts or mugs. Each organization can bring either one item or several fitting within the large size of a Zip-lock bag. "Really it is up to the organization. We really want people to be creative, but simple," said Goodman. A monument with a Broncho
and a plaque will be created to represent the time capsule. According to Goodman, it will be placed on the lawn next to Evans Hall facing Plunkett Park. An unveiling ceremony is set for April 20 at 1 p.m. Malory Craft, chairperson of the Time Capsule Committee said faculty, staff, alumni, the Edmond community, students, history classes and general fans of UCO will be invited to attend. The items will not be buried at the monument. They will be stored in a back-cage in the UCO Archives for 50 years. A book with pictures of all the items will be placed in the UCO ' Archives as well, Goodman said. "So much on campus changes so often it is better for us to keep it someplace that would keep
record of it," said Goodman. He also noted that it was safer. Malory Craft, chairperson of the Time Capsule Committee, said the liability was higher to have the time capsule buried. The time capsule was a part of Goodman's campaign and platform last spring. The Time Capsule Committee is made up of members of both the House and Senate of UCOSA. The committee has been meeting since January of this year. "Fifty years from now, our campus will see where we've been. It's important to have it now to shape where we're going," said Craft. Aaron Wright can be reached at awright@thevistaonline.com.
"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory." FRI. 66/50 - Albert Schweitzer R.:1'4;11T