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THE
The Student Voice of the University of Central Oklahoma Since 1903
July 19, 2007
Oklahoma petitions to amend its current drinking laws by Aaron Wright Managing Editor "It's kind of silly," said Cassie Neahring, marketing senior, about a law in Oklahoma that prohibits grocery stores and convenience stores to sell wine and high point beer. "People are just going to drink more beer if it's lower point," she said. "What is the benefit of making people rush to liquor stores before 9 p.m., especially on Saturdays because they are closed on Sundays?" said Jake Simpson, biology senior. They are not the only people that feel that way. A 2006 KFOR survey showed that 53 percent of 500 Oklahoma City residents polled think that grocery stores should be allowed to sell wine and stronger beer. One organization, Oklahomans for Modem Laws, is working to give Oklahoma citizens more options when choosing beer and wine. Members of this group include grocers, concerned citizens, businessmen and businesswomen, wineries and grape growers. This group was formed approximately a year and a half ago when several people realized they had the same interest for Oklahoma. The members of the organization want to propose a constitutional amendment that will allow any grocery or conve-
by Vista photographer Chris Albers
A shopper browses through the limited selection of alcoholic beverages at a local Edmond grocery store, July 17, 2007.
nience store that can currently sell 3.2 percent beer to sell highpoint beer and wine for offpremise drinking. According to Larry Wood, consultant for the
group, this amendment would override all conflicting laws. Currently, the petition has not begun to circulate. Wood said that when it does, the group
will need to obtain 175,000 signatures. If the organization receives all the signatures it needs, the petition will go to the Supreme Court where opponents
to the petition will have a chance to challenge it. If approved by the Supreme Court, the issue will go to a vote of the people. Lynn Wiley, pre-vet junior,
Max Chambers Library expands laptop inventory "The new laptops make a total of 50 available for checkout." -Thompson
Aaron Wright can be reached at awright@thevistaonline.com .
UCO student found dead off campus by Andrew Knittle Staff Writer
by Abha Eli Phoboo Staff Writer The Max Chambers Library has added 30 new Dell Latitude to their selection of laptops for checkout to UCO faculty and students. The library had 20 Dell Inspirons for checkout in the last year. The facility, according to Library Instruction Coordinator Deborah Thompson, was popular enough for the library to consider adding new equipment. The systems department based their decision to buy Dell on the quality of the product and history of service, as well as price. "Frequently, we would have all of the laptops checked out," said Thompson. However, only UCO faculty, staff and students are allowed to checkout laptops and other equipment. The laptops come with a bag and accessories that include DVD, CD and floppy drives, headphones and an external mouse. "The new laptops make a total of 50 available for checkout. We also have four laptops available for extended use, such as presentations or conferences," said Thompson. Also available for extended checkout are two projectors, a Panasonic Camcorder, and a Canon digital still camera. "These are designated for students, faculty and staff for presentations and academic purposes," said Thompson. The laptops are limited for inhouse use only, meaning they cannot be taken off the facility. But the extended checkout equipment can be borrowed for three days and used beyond the Library premises. "We have more than 50 desk-
is weary of lax alcohol laws. "People need to know how to drink responsibly before we take that step," she said. Wiley is a victim of a drunk driving incident. She said she drinks, but does so responsibly. "If people would take responsibility for their actions, it shouldn't be a problem," said Wiley. However, the Oklahomans for Modern Law's website said there has been no increase in drunk driving as a• result of the law. Edmond Wine Shop owner Vance D. Gregory Jr. wondered about the accessibility of alcohol with the new petition initiative. Selling to anyone underage is currently considered a felony. Gregory said he is not sure of the effect the law will have on his business until he sees the actual petition. "Because we have a niche, a service that most big stores couldn't offer, I would hope the effect for us would be less," he said. Gregory said he is not taking that for granted. As far as future projects go, Wood said the group wants to remain focused on this one for now. "We'll deal with one thing at a time," he said.
by Vista photographer Chris Albers
Thirty additional Dell Latitude laptops are now available to students in the library.
by Vista photographer Chris Otten
One of the many UCO laptops used by students at the Chambers Library.
top computers in the reference section which were frequently full. The best way to serve the needs of the students was to add more computers. Laptops and wireless gave students flexibility and they could sit near whatever materials they needed to work," said Thompson. At present, laptops can only be checked out for two hours and renewed once. After four hours, the laptop is reviewed and checked out again to the
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same user if there is no waiting list. The overdue fine is $1 per minute, with a maximum limit of $100. With the new additions, Thompson says that the library is considering extending the hours that laptops are available to four hours before renewal is required. Users must sign a policy form agreeing to be responsible for the equipment. Severe damage means user must pay the cost of replacement. In the year
since Max Chambers Library started checking out laptops, Thompson says they have had no problems. Those that they have had to deal with have been minor and easily fixed. The library has also upgraded its multimedia section in the fourth floor with an iMac computer that has music notation, marching, and dance notation software. The computer has the Adobe Create Suite too, which includes video editing, music recording and editing, MS Office and design software. "The idea was to have something for music majors but then we decided to include all of the arts for Mac software. We have Finale, the music notation software and even a notation program for dance majors," said Jana Atkins, Performing Arts and Multimedia Librarian. The facility will allow students to work even after departmental computer laboratory hours. The peripherals of the equipment include a full piano keyboard, which Atkins says, any-
one with some musical knowledge can use to record. "It's a fun thing to play with too. The students are excited because departmental laboratories close earlier and with this, they won't necessarily have to worry about taking material over and bring it back," said Atkins. The library gate count statistics record 680,000 visitors from the July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 period. Of these, in the finals week of May, the library had 1,250 visitors between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. "We don't plan to stay open longer hours because we haven't seen any indication of that need. In the finals, we stay open till 2 a.m. To stay longer hours other days would also cost a lot," said Thompson. For more information concerning laptop usage, visit Max Chambers Library's website at library.ucok.edu/gov.
Abha Eli Phoboo can be reached at aphoboo@thevistaonline.com.
A UCO student was found dead in his Edmond apartment July 10 by two friends who had stopped by to take the deceased man to dinner, according to police reports. Kyong Hwan Choi, a biophysics major from South Korea, was 34. Choi's body was found by his long-time friend Jin Yu Deok and another man, both of whom had stopped by to take Choi out for dinner at around 7:30 p.m. Deok told police Choi had complained about feeling ill two days earlier — the last time he spoke to his friend — but his friend's death still came as a shock. "I didn't know of him having any illness that was serious,Deok said. "I don't know what would have caused him to die." Choi's family arrived from South Korea last week to take control of his body. He was cremated July 16 following a private ceremony at a local funeral home. Another memorial service was held for Choi July 18 in the Y Chapel of Song on the UCO campus. Glynda Chu, spokeswoman for the Edmond Police Department, said Choi appeared to have died from natural causes, noting that nothing present at the scene indicated otherwise. "From what we know, there doesn't appear to be any foul play involved," Chu said. A representative from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Choi's case is still pending as the office waits for toxicology reports. Andrew Knittle can be reached at aknittle@thevistaonline.com .
"It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend." -William Blake
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