University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY June 30, 1994
The Student Voice Since 1903
'Libertyfest' to kick off 4th of July festivities ebrated in and around the city with a kiteflying contest, a rodeo, a parade and capped off with a fireworks display. At the University of Central Oklahoma, the Libertyfest entertainment begins at 8 p.m. in Wantland Stadium with
By Jeff Billington Staff Writer
Independence Day. The Fourth of July. The 183rd day of the year. No matter what you call it, in the United States, it still is a day to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which declared our country forever free from British rule. Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, which has stood intact for 218 years. Among all of the holidays of the year, Independence Day appeals to both young and old with the sense of patriotism and national pride which glows in every loyal American heart. The roar of cannons and the smell and sound of muskets on smoke filled battlefields have been replaced in modern times with the symbolic popping of Black Cat firecrackers, multi- Mitch Baker/The Vista colored sparkling fountains and Roman popular and contemporary music percandles. formed by the Castle Family, then a In Edmond, an annual celebration called ceremony that naturalizes new U.S. citi"Libertyfest" kicks off the Independence zens. Day festivities. The fireworks display begins at 9:50 p.m., For 22 years "Libertyfest" has been cel-
with the pre sentation synchronized to music. The day begins with a parade through the streets of downtown Edmond at 10 a.m., with several civic and commercial floats, as well as the 95th Army Band and the 14th U.S. Cavalry Reenactment Group, said JerryJones, parade coordinator. More than 40 Shriner units, 150 bicycles and several vintage automobiles will take part in the parade, said Jones. "Last year at the fireworks display, not only was Wantland Stadium filled to capacity, but the streets around the field were packed with cars and people hoping to see the show," Jones said. As the last of the smoke disperses into the star-filled sky, this Fourth of July will continue to serve as a reminder that for centuries, Americans have fought to preserve freedom, a freedom for which our earliest patriots paid the highest price.
to Fire department enforces city's fireworks law Roman candles, firecrackers, m-60s, bottle rockets and whistle chasers all pack a punch of excitement for the Fourth of July, but so does the cost of setting them off within city limits. "The possession, storage and transportation of fireworks as well as the lighting of them in the city limits of Edmond is extremely prohibited," said Major David Wiist of the Edmond Fire Department. Edmond has enforced the laws banning fireworks in the city limits for 15 years, said Wiist. "House fires have dramatically dropped since we started enforcing the laws concerning fireworks," Wiist said. Other reasons for the law banning fireworks were citizen complaints about the noise and carelessness of people, said Wiist. The first offense for possession of fireworks results in confiscation of them, with repeat offenses leading to citations up to $100, Wiist said. "We encourage everyone with the impulse of buying fireworks is to go watch the show at Wantland Stadium, because it is good, safe entertainment," said Wiist.
Regents discuss gender inequity lawsuit By Roy Howe Staff Writer A lawsuit based on gender inequity against the university and its governing board sent the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges behind closed doors to discuss the case at its regular meeting June 17. Meanwhile, a year-long federal genderinequity inquiry continues concerning the University of Central Oklahoma's
sports programs. Regarding the lawsuit, College Regents returned from executive session where no action was taken and no comments were made. The charges were filed by former parttime funeral services instructor Jeanne Roberts. Court documents filed by Roberts state she was denied a full-time position at UCO last August. "This action was impermissibly based
insignificant part upon her gender and on an impermissible preference for males on the part of the Department Chair Ken Curl." Curl said the department of funeral services at UCO has a history of employing both sexes. "This department has always had a preference for qualified faculty," Curl said, "both male and female." "As damages, the Plaintiff claims lost income and emotional distress which should be valued in a sum in excess of $10,000,"
Roberts' complaint reads. Roberts is also asking that UCO be ordered to place her in a full-time tenure track position as a professor. The federal complaint falls within Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In a written reply to the charge, Sheridan McCaffree, attorney for the regents, said "Defendants deny that the selection was based on gender or on an impermissible IF See LAWSUIT, back page
INSIDE TODAY Editorial 2 Letters 2
World Wrap...6 Around Campus 15 Comics 15
Learning
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Students from Taiwan study English at the Edmond Language Institute at UCO.
Dating Helpful suggestions are offered for dating on a budget in the expensive '90s.
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Sports
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Oklahoma edges Texas 7-6 Saturday at UCO's Broncho Diamond in the Sunbelt Classic Baseball Series.