April 24, 2008 www. thevistaonline. corn The Student Voice of the Universit of Central Oklahoma Since 1903
UCO celebrates Earth Day a day late
by Vista photographer Chris Albers
by John Cleary
From left: Kristen Buck and Ashlee Hogg react Wednesday to Cycler, an interactive robot made from all recycled materials sponsered by Waste Management in celebration of Earth Day.
by Nelson Solomon Staff Writer
Yesterday, under a dark cloud that threatened to start pouring at any time, UCO celebrated its planned Earth Day Fair, a day after the actual date of Earth Day. Students lined up to get their free hot dogs and stopped by a number of vendor booths to learn about the Physical Plant's biodiesel recycling program and where to travel in Oklahoma.
Tamera Williams, quality assurance officer for Oklahoma Water Watch, described how rainfall around the Edmond area ends up in Lake Arcadia. "The water ends up in the lake, and then we go in and purify the water so that people in the area have clean water to drink," she said. Carl Shortt, shop lead technician at the Power Plant, described the plant's effort to convert waste vegetable oil from the campus'
kitchens into biodiesel to fuel their vehicles. Tom Groshong, the motor pool supervisor at the plant, said the Environmental Protection Agency mandated in January 2007 the use of a new ultra-low sulfur instead of the former sulfurlubricated additive. "They essentially took the lubricant out of the additive, and we needed something new to fuel our vehicles," Groshong said. Shortt said Guy Ellis, a
Tech II at the plant, brought up the idea of using biodiesel and cited the already prominent use of the product in China. The Physical Plant also accepted a number of recyclable items on site, including printer cartridges, cell phones and fluorescent lights. Other vendors at the fair included Barnes & Noble, which featured books on environmentalism and the Martin Nature Center in
Creative studies freshman Sam Hart helps draw a giant peace sign with sidewalk chalk Wednesday in celebration of earthday.
Oklahoma City. Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22, although larger events such as festivals and rallies are often organized for the weekends before or after April 22. Many communities also celebrate Earth Week or Earth Month by organizing a series of environmental activities throughout the month of April, according to www.earthday.net . Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson
of Wisconsin and organized by Denis Hayes in 1970, the Web site said. UCO Earth Day Committee Chairman Dr. David Bass, biology professor, told University Relations "the primary purpose of the Earth Day Fair is education. Through this tradition, we give the public the opportunity to get a better understanding of the environment and our responsibilities to protect it."
Campus buildings get Askins praises McNair scholars searched by police by Nelson Solomon Staff Writer
"We had some non-specific information come in from off campus that we felt we needed to act on." by Andrew Knittle Editor in Chief
Responding to an off-campus tip, one that university officials won't elaborate upon, UCO police conducted a walk through of the school's buildings and structures around 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, but found nothing "out of place or suspicious." UCO Police Chief Jeff Harp said the tip came from a non-student, although he wouldn't divulge any specifics because of the ongoing investigation. "We had some non-specific information come in from off campus that we felt we needed to act on," Harp said. Harp said UCO police
Mon. through Thurs. at 5 p.m.
officers conducted a buildingby-building search that lasted more than an hour, looking for "individuals or items" that didn't belong. According to Harp, no students were evacuated from on-campus housing, although some student workers were removed from their posts while police cleared the buildings in which they were working. By the end of the search, police didn't find anything "out of place or suspicious" and the school's buildings were re-opened shortly thereafter. "There's nothing to substantiate the information we received," Harp said.
University Relations Executive Director Charlie Johnson said the school's reaction was on par, considering recent tragedies at college campuses around the nation. "In today's world, following the tragic events at Virginia Tech a year ago and at Northern Illinois University two months ago, we know that we need to be constantly vigilant in our efforts to help keep our campus safe," Johnson said. "So, when we receive information that campus safety may be put at risk — no matter how probable it may seem at the time — we must take it seriously and act accordingly."
Photo by Chanel I lenry
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins speaks Tuesday at the McNairs Scholars Annual Awards Banquet at UCO in the University Ballroom in the Nigh Center.
"If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees." -Hal Borland
"Please be seated. That was not a way of saying to go stand in the buffet line," Lt. Gov. Jeri Askins said as she opened her remarks to the audience Tuesday night at the ninth annual McNair Scholars Awards Banquet at the Nigh University Center. "But I know I'm what stands between you and your dinner," she added. "So I'll make sure my speech is short." Askins was at the banquet to congratulate the students who are participants in the McNair program, especially those who are about to graduate. She said she was able to visit with college administrators and other groups over the course of many years, and she's noticed that "those who are participating in this pro-
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