The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2004
Gay marriage debate heats up on campus ■ Speakers at the July 8 debate shed light on the impending issue of gay marriage,
which will be voted on in Oklahoma in November.
by Caroline Duke Editor in Chief
Directors of two national groups presented their clashing views on same-sex marriages to an audience of about 70 at UCO July 8. Elizabeth Birch and Robert Knight addressed the crowd during "State of the Union: A Debate on Gay Marriage" in Constitution Hall. The debate was part of the "Hot Topics Summer Speakers Series," sponsored by the Department of Campus Life. Knight, the director of Culture & Family Institute, said he defines mar-
riage as a union between two sexes that is essential to civilization. "Ejecting an entire sex from a twosex formula destroys that," he said. He said people often ask him why he possesses his views on same-sex marriage. "But I'm not the one trying to change what has been custom and law for several thousand years," he said. Birch, executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, said homosexuals should be granted the same legal rights to marriage as heterosexual couples. "Having a civil marriage permit from the state opens up a world of ben-
efits," she said. Knight disagreed and said legalizing same-sex unions would force employers to "subsidize homosexuality, or face sancPhoto by Gavin D. Elliott tions. That's coercion against peo- Robert Knight, left, and Elizabeth Birch addressed a crowd of about 70 during a same-sex marriage ples' most deeply debate on campus July 8. See page 3 for additional photographs. held beliefs," he said. But Birch said the right to gay mar- ful what you put into the law. When been present in every civilization riage is a matter of civil — not religious you bring the law into it, you bring all throughout history. of us into it." or moral — law. But Birch said homosexuality has see DEBATE, page 3 Knight said, "You've got to be care-
From 'Walker' to Shakespeare
Open auditions called for annual battle of bands by Lauren Pulsinelli Senior Staff Writer
comment might actually have gone unnoticed. Burkhart had two guest stints on the show in 1999 and 2000. "I ended up getting killed off with a slowmotion kill sequence in the first one, and the second one I ended up going to jail. I was a bad guy in both of them," he said. Burkhart said that that the cast and crew on the show were friendly and professional and
The UCO Student Programming Board will hold open auditions July 21 for the eighth annual Battle of the Bands. Slots are limited to about 20 bands and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bands can also submit demo tapes if they are unable to audition. "We understand if some bands can't make it because they have a gig," said Joy Mitchell, president of SPB. The board will choose eight bands to perform 30-minute sets at the show on the first day of school at Evans Field. It is not required that band members attend UCO. "It's a free show for everybody with a great college crowd, all kinds of music and good energy," said Jarrett Jobe, Student Activities advisor for Campus Life. Jobe performed in last year's battle with his band, Spider Douglas. Jobe said Battle of the Bands benefits UCO by emphasizing the arts. "Music is a huge part of a lot of people's lives, and it (the battle) helps showcase local talents," Jobe said. The winner of the battle will win $500, and a "Crowd Pleaser Award" will be given. The award amount is undecided. "We're going to see what's left in our budget," Mitchell said. The SPB funding was cut by about $2,500, down from $55,000 in last year's budget Featured bands will have the opportunity to sell merchandise at the battle. The Battle of the Bands 2003 winner was Better Tomorrow. Bands that have performed before include 13 Stars, The Stellas and Jiminy Crime. The battle is an evening event as part of Stampede Week, and more than 2,000 stu-
see BURKHART, page 4
see BATTLE, page 3
Photo by Robert Crauthers
Jason Burkhart, right, will play Hamlet in the Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park production.
Theatre alumnus takes title role in 'Hamlet' by Kelley Chambers Staff Writer
When Jason Burkhart first met Earnest Borgnine, the Academy Award winning actor told him, 'call me Ernie.' The two were guest starring in an episode of "Walker Texas Ranger" in 2000, entitled "Avenging Angel," and were introduced by Mike Norris, the episodes director and son of the show's star, karate champion Chuck Norris.
"I didn't know what to say him," said Burkhart, a UCO theatre graduate, after being introduced to Borgnine. After an awkward silence standing face to face with the aging burly star, Burkhart spoke. "The very first thing I said to him, and I felt like such as idiot, was 'Escape from New York was on TV the other day,' and he just looked at me like, 'that's not one of my favorite movies.'" Fortunately, Burkhart was quickly informed that Borgnine could not hear well and that his
Construction halted at Wantland Stadium ■ Stadium renovations will cease in August and will resume after football season. by Harry Gatewood III Sports Writer
Financing delays have put a halt on construction to Wantland Stadium until the end of the upcoming football season. The $15 million project was started to replace and expand seating and to build a new press box before the 2004 football season. UCO planned to begin work in April to add 1,500 seats on the east side of the stadium. A $3 million press box was also installed. "Not everything was done in time, but it will pick up after the
season, said Assistant Athletic Director John Keely. "After everything was passed, we didn't have enough time to install it all, but it's better to have it done with time than not enough time." Dr. Bill Wiseman, director of University Relations, said the majority of work to the stadium will be done before the start of the football season. Seating capacity will be expanded from 10,000 to 12,000. Athletic Director Bill Farley said delays in construction were not affected by the decision earlier this summer to not bring a Major League Soccer franchise to UCO.
Viewing pornography at library prohibited ■ The network that provides Internet to UCO prohibits accessing obscene material through it, but some officials say it could hinder legitimate student research. by Joseph Wertz Staff Writer
Although the company that provides Internet access to UCO mandates that no pornographic material be accessed by its network, some people on campus find objections to that. UCO prohibits the use of campus computer systems for accessing obscene material. Executive Director of the library Dr. Bonnie McNeely said she does not agree with the restrictions. "We would prefer we didn't have the
law," she said. "It is broad and nonspecific and could intervene with legitimate research and academic study." Internet access is provided to UCO by Onenet, a state-operated telecommunications network for education and government. Information Technology Vice President Cynthia Rolfe said, "The UCO network is through Onenet, and we are required to follow their standards and reg-
Photo Illustration by Eric Osborn
ulations." Rolfe also said it is illegal to view pornography on any state-controlled computer network. McNeely also said no action would be
see PORN, page 3