Celebrating 100 Years American Democracy roject
N„UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Anntairtilicipeunslents ■ Registration is now being held for campus organizations and university departments for the 2004 Student Organization Fair. The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 25. The forms are available at bronze.ucok.edu/campus_life/forms.htm ■ The nomination form for the Herbert S. Dordick Award for Outstanding Mentor is available online at http://bronze.ucok.edu/campus_life/dordickapp.pdf. ■ The Sociology Club is collecting items through April for domestic violence shelters. Contact Kori at 850-5860 or khirrill@ucok.edu , or Brooke at 323-1510 or bwanzer@ucok.edu . ■ Sigma Tau Gamma will sponsor the eighth annual 3on-3 Sand Volleyball Tournament May 8. For more information, visit http://volleyball.ucosigtau.com .
The Student Voice Since 1903
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2004
Tornadoes come close, prompt safety tips ■ Campus officials respond to the the year's first batch of severe thunderstorms, providing some suggestions. by Caroline Duke Editor in Chief Students darted across campus last Wednesday, splashing through puddles and seeking cover under copies of The New York Times. Tornado sirens sounded across the Oklahoma City area, threatening the cancellation of classes, as sheets of hail blanketed some areas of the metro. The April 21 storms marked the unofficial and tumultuous start of springtime in Oklahoma. "Had the storm been about five miles farther north, our campus might have been covered with hail and could have sustained some damage," said Don Powers, director of Environmental Health and Safety. Powers said no one was seriously hurt, but some minor injuries were sustained. "I witnessed a number of female students slip, trip or fall because of wearing flip-flops," he said. "Students wearing tennis shoe-type footwear had no problems running or getting into or out of the shelters." Students should wear shoes that are conducive to running, he said. It is important, Powers said, to be aware of the locations of storm shelters on campus and how long it takes to get to the shelters.
"That way, you can gauge when you need to leave where you are to get to the shelter in time," he said. Powers said students spent about 20 minutes in the shelters April 21, a time which is about average. In some circumstances, however, he said it may be necessary to spend several hours in the shelters. Students walked out of the shelters April 21 to a campus that appeared to have sustained no visible damage. "You should be dressed to walk into whatever conditions exist on the outside at the time," Powers said. "If a real tornado has hit, the ground will be either covered with all kinds of debris, and you would have to walk through it." "The purpose of going to shelter is insurance — insurance that if UCO gets struck, you have a chance to survive," Powers said. "Those who do not go to shelter, in all probability, will not survive intact." Tornado season in Oklahoma is from March until June, and Oklahoma has more tornadoes than anywhere else on earth, said Dr. John King, professor of engineering and physics. For more information, call Safety Management at 974-5994.
To see a listing of safety shelters on campus, see page 5.
Photo by Robert Crauthers
A tornado touches down briefly April 21 at Sooner Road and 36th. Tornadic activity in the Oklahoma City area announced the unofficial start of springtime in Oklahoma.
UCO spring graduate rate increases 7.8 percent over last year's figures by UCO News Bureau
Photo by Justin Avera
Graduation ceremonies will take place May 7 and 8 at the Hamilton Field House.
UCO will hold four spring commencement exercises on May 7 and 8, with about 1,788 students representing the university's five colleges eligible to participate. Students who will receive degrees after taking summer classes also are included and will participate in the spring commencement ceremonies, all to be held in UCO's Hamilton Field House. UCO conducts commencement ceremonies twice a year and graduated about 1,050 students in December. This spring, 130 more students will graduate as compared to last year. This represents a 7.8 percent increase. At 3 p.m. May 7, UCO President W. Roger Webb will confer degrees on students receiving their bachelor's from the College of Education. About 325 students have applied for undergraduate degrees from that college this spring. At 7 p.m. May 7, the College of Mathematics and Science's master's and bachelor's ceremonies and the College of Education's master's ceremony will take place.
Two hundred thirteen students majoring within the C-011eg-e of Mathematics and Science this spring have applied for bachelor's degrees and 20 for their master's. Fortyseven students from this college plan to have earned their bachelor's and master's after summer classes. One hundred eighty-five students have applied for master's degrees from the College of Education this spring, and 146 bachelor's and master's candidates expect to graduate from this college after summer classes. At 9 a.m. on May 8, degrees will be conferred on students from the College of Business Administration. From this college, 263 students are seeking their bachelor's degrees and 69 have applied for their master's this spring. Eighty-four students have applied to receive undergraduate or graduate degrees from the College of Business Administration at summer's end. At 1 p.m. on May 8, the university's College of Arts, Media and Design and its College of Liberal Arts will conduct commencement exercises. The College of Arts, Media and
Design has received spring degree applications from 866 bachelor's candidates, and from four students who are seeking their master's. Ten students have applied for bachelor's degrees from this college following summer classes. The UCO College of Liberal Arts has had 235 students apply for their bachelor's degrees, while 32 have applied for their master's this spring. After summer classes, 58 students plan to receive their bachelor's and 11 are master's candidates. Graduates and guests are asked to arrive early, as Hamilton Field House consistently fills to capacity during the ceremonies. The only parking to be located alongside the auditorium will be for the elderly and for those with disabilities. Also, no traffic will be allowed on the main thoroughfare to the Field House, Ayers Street, except for vehicles dropping off elderly or disabled graduates and guests. All tickets for family and friends wanting to see the commencement ceremonies in Hamilton Field House have been issued. Those without tickets may view the ceremonies in the south foyer of the Field House as space permits.
Vista registers 33 new voters; 967 to go ■ The Vista continues to strive for 1,000 new registered voters. by Brittany Meadors Student Writer
The Vista registered 30 new voters April 23 at the Nigh University Center in its effort to register 1,000 new voters by the November presidential election. Most people who were not registered took the minute to register, but some said they didn't have the time or they felt their vote didn't count. Marissal Thomas registered to vote April 23. She said her reason for registering was, "because you made me." Wesley Carlile, history sophomore, said he votes in local and small election, but he doesn't vote in national elections. "It doesn't seem to matter," Carlile said. 'A candidate may win in the popular vote and lose in the electoral vote." He said the best way to fight the system is to banish the electoral college. Rudy Richmond, a public relations senior, registered, but he said his vote will not matter in the presidential election. "Oklahoma goes Republican, regardless of what the popular vote is," Richmond said. Three people had registered through The Vista prior to April 23.
"At first, we were really disappointed with the response we got from the student body," said Caroline Duke of The Vista. "But we made a comeback this last time." The Vista will continue to register voters from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29 in the food court of the University ty Center. "We all have to do our part for democracy," said Lauren Pulsinelli, Vista staff writer. Duke said The Vista plans to be an active participant in getting people registered to vote. Booths will be set up frequently in the Nigh University Center until November. Students can also register at The Vista office, room 107 of the Communications Building. A link to an online voter registration form is provided on the Max Chambers Library's Web site, library. ucok.edu . "We plan to distribute forms with the paper at the beginning of the fall semester," Duke said. By distributing the forms, Duke said the forms can reach nearly the entire student body in one day. Unregistered voters can register up until 25 days before the presidential election. For more information on the voter registration drive, call Caroline Duke at The Vista at 9745915.
Photo by Gavin Elliott
Michael Taliferro and Jamie Lawrence demonstrate the classic stare-down, popularized in Samurai movies. Joey Dunkin (middle) explains the technique.