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The Student Voice of the University of Central Oklahoma Since 1903
March 29, 2007
Clean up committee changing appearance of Broncho Lake by Abha Eli Phoboo Staff Writer
If you haven't already noticed, the serenity of the Broncho Lake is not marred by trash and paper cups. Every week, members from different student organizations sign up to clean the lake. To recognize the success of the Broncho Lake Clean Up Committee, March 12 was declared the Gail Gauldin Day by Jason Hines, president pro-tempore, at the UCOSA Senate meeting. "It was done to congratulate Gail on her efforts. I know it meant a lot to her to be recognized for the hard work she's done. Now, every
time we talk of cleaning up Broncho lake, her name will be mentioned," said Hines. Gauldin, senator for the Student Dietetics Association at UCO, took up a challenge that Hines gave to the UCOSASenate. "There was a lot of trash in Broncho Lake. One day I saw a group of students having a contest about who could throw Starbucks cups the furthest," said Gauldin. "The attitude of the students made me want to do something, not just clean but to maintain. So I hit upon the idea of asking everybody to contribute, different organizations could sign up to clean the lake every week." The idea was brought up before the senate as a piece of legislation, which passed with-
out opposition. The response to the project was tremendous as the sign-up sheet has organizations volunteering to clean up until November. "The project gives student organizations the opportunity to get involved on campus, do a little philanthropy and community service. That's what we are trying to focus on in the senate this semester and Gail's project is a great example," added Hines. Before the Broncho Lake Clean Up Committee, the Physical Plant maintained the lake. With the student organizations getting involved this semester and cleaning up more frequently, the plant lends the necessary equip-
see Lake page 3
by Vista photographer Travis Marak
UCO Psychology instructor Gloria Shadid maneuvers through the wheelchair challenge obstacle course during Disability Awareness Days March 28 at Broncho Lake.
Disability Awareness Days show students and staff life with limitations by Andrew Knittle Staff Writer
by Vista photographer Alex Gambill
To recognize the success of the Broncho Lake Clean Up Committee, March 12 was declared the Gail Gauldin Day by Jason Hines, president pro-tempore, at the UCOSA Senate meeting.
For most people, the idea of living with a disability is not something they like to think about, let alone experience firsthand. UCO's fifth annual Disability Awareness Days, held at Broncho Lake March 26 through March 28, gave stu-
dents and others more than just the opportunity to ponder the reality of becoming disabled. The event actually made them disabled, at least for a few minutes. Kimberly Fields, assistant director of UCO's Disability Support Services, said students needed to get accustomed to feeling empathy for those with disabilities — even if they don't actually know anybody
with life-altering impairments. "Whether it is themselves, a parent, a brother or sister, 90 percent of all college students will be affected by disabilities in the next 20 years," Fields said. During the three days of activities, DA Days allowed students to walk in the shoes of a blind person, a deaf person and
see Awareness, page 3
Barack Obama attempts to sell his 2008 presidential campaign "I haven't been in Washington long, but I've been there long enough to know Washington needs to change." - Barack Obama by Andrew Knittle Staff Writer
If Illinois senator Barack Obama isn't sworn in as President come January 2009, it won't be because of his public speaking abilities, which were prominently on display March 19 at Oklahoma City's Farmers Market. More than 1,000 paying guests, many of them attending their first political rally, turned up at the relatively obscure Venue near downtown Oklahoma City to hear Obama sell himself and his campaign for the 2008 Democratic primaries. First-time political speech attendee Steven Sallison, an Oklahoma City resident and recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma, said he walked away from the event a true believer, the ultimate goal of fundraisers and speeches given by candidates. "I paid for my girlfriend and myself to attend today, and I
can tell you that I'll vote for Obama in 2008," Sallison said. "He was that good here today." Obama, who made his entrance a little late because he was taping a segment for CNN's Larry King Live in an adjacent building, was greeted by a chanting, roaring crowd and at least 500 cell phone cameras as he took the stage. "We're here because the country calls us, because history beckons us," Obama said. "We're at a crossroads, full of obstacles, but we know what the challenges are." After warming the crowd with some jokes and a story about his two daughters, Obama discussed the issues that will define his platform as he makes his run at the Oval Office in 2008. Obama said education was a top priority in his campaign, stressing that teachers, who are largely responsible for training the nation's future leaders, needed higher salaries and more competitive benefits.
The senator also said health care, which always seems to find its way into political speeches, was crippling the country and needs to be changed before it reaches the point of no return. Obama really hit a nerve when the discussion turned to energy, a hot topic in today's political arena. "There may not be a silver bullet to solve our energy needs," Obama said, "but if we can send a man to the moon, we can find a new energy source on this planet." Ethanol, wind farms, solar power and various other alternative fuels are all in need of further technological development, Obama said. He also stressed the importance of using the world's existing fossil fuels more efficiently and responsibly, noting the U.S. sends nearly $1 billion a day to "some of the most hostile nations on Earth." In the end, though, it was Obama's comments about
the war in Iraq — and the current administration's lack of accountability regarding the conflict — that brought the audience to near fever pitch. "Most of all, we got a war that should have never been authorized, a war that's cost us a half a trillion dollars," Obama said. "Politics are not a sport, it's not a game. There are real consequences for what we do in Washington." Obama even took a thinlyveiled shot at the current administration while discussing the notion that he didn't have enough "experience" to run the most powerful nation in the world. "I got experience as a constitution law professor for ten years, so I actually respect the constitution," Obama said. "I haven't been in Washington long, but I've been there long enough to know Washington needs to change." Andrew Knittle can be reached at aknittle@thevistaonline.com .
by Vista photographer Alex Gambill
Barack Obama speaks out March 19 at Oklahoma City Farmers Market.
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