The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006
UCO hosts 5th district candidates
UCO prof. speaks on terrorism
Movin' on up
by Teddy Burch Staff Writer
by Tiffany Batdorf Staff Writer
UCO's Constitution Hall hosted the Oklahoma 5th Congressional District Candidate Forum July 13. Of the nine candidates running, eight were present with Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett absent due to scheduling conflicts. Six of the candidates are Republican, two are Democrats and one is independent. Congressman Earnest Istook is vacating the seat in his bid for governor. Each candidate was given 10 minutes to present his or her views on issues facing Oklahoma and the nation. "I believe that Congress is a mess. We have a $9 trillion debt that is growing. We have got to change," Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode said. "We need real sweeping
"You need a doctor in the house." Dr. Johnny Roy, Edmond resident and 5th District Congressional Republic candidate
immigration control. We need to remove all incentives for illegal immigrants in the country." State Representative Fred Morgan said that serving the people of the 5th district is a tough, full-time job. "We need someone who is not just looking to get re-elected or cut the next ribbon. We can't afford to send someone to Washington who can get duped." Morgan also said that while it may seem all the candidates are saying the same thing, he is better qualified for the position because he co-authored legislation that allowed Oklahomans to vote on right-to-work, and that he has been a tireless advocate of state tax relief. Burt Smith, one of only
by Vista photographer Alex Gambill
Workers pour a foundation as construction continues on the OSBI forensic center July 19 across Second Street from UCO.
see Candidates, page 4
see Terrorism, page 4
Memorial scholarships awarded
Oklahoma Regents chancellor retires by Divona Phillips Staff Writer
Dr. Paul Risser announced - June 28 that he will resign as chancello'r of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher - Education. Risser's resignation will be effective July 28. Risser said he will begin work at the University of Oklahoma on July 31 as chair ofthe Research Cabinet, which will coordinate research planning on all three OU campuses. "I am looking forward to re-joining OU where I can work directly with faculty and increase the research programs," Risser said. Dr. Phil Moss, vice chancellor of academic affairs, was
Broncho football ranked third in LSC north. See Sports pg. 8
A UCO professor spoke about his recent trip to Israel and a workshop that he attended in Washington, D.C. in Pegasus Theatre July 13. Dr. Robert Kerr is an associate professor in the history and geography department. Kerr is an Academic Fellow of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, with which he attended a counter-terrorism workshop in Washington D.C. "The definition of terrorist is the deliberate use of violence against civilians in order to attain political, ideological, and religious aims," Kerr said. He said that a terrorist could be your neighbor and it would be hard to know, since they do not wear uniforms. Kerr defined "global terrorism" as a new phenomenon that started 20 - 30 years ago by a global jihad movement. The U.S. State Department said on their website that "jihad" is as an Egyptian Islamic extremist group active since the late 1970's. The U.S. State Department says jihad's primary goal is to overthrow Egyptian government and replace it with an Islamic state. Kerr limited his presentation to Israel and the Palestinians, and the effects of the jihad on their societies. "You get into real touchy ground when it comes to terrorism," he said. "My grad school advisor told me to never talk about the Arab- Israeli conflict." "These groups network with each other, that is how they become so strong," Kerr said. Kerr said the active jihads are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Somalia, Algeria, the Czech Republic, Kashmir, and the Philippines. "First action of jihad: get U.S./Western influence out of the Middle East, as Bin Laden called 9/11 'The Great Awakening,"' he said. "Overthrow Apostate governments; rid Daral-Islam of
named interim chancellor. Ben Hardcastle, director of communications for the Regents said, "The board has the need to have someone who's knowledgeable of Oklahoma's needs for higher education, a broad background in education and work closely with all of the campuses, leaders and the government." Risser said that he is very proud of the things he accomplished as the chancellor. "I am excited about the funding that we've gotten for all of the schools while I was with the Regents and the many programs I helped implement," Risser said. According to a news release issued by the office of the Regents, under Risser,
by Jessica Snell Staff Writer
photo provided
Dr. Paul Risser Oklahoma higher education had a period of record student enrollment, improved graduation rates and "unprecedented success" with the Oklahoma Legislature, including a $475 million capital bond project and higher education's first $1 billion state appropriation. Divona Phillips can be reached at dphillips@thevistaonline.com .
INDEX Opinion 2 News 3 Classifieds 7 Crossword 7 Sports 8
Two UCO journalism students were awarded the first two Reba Collins Endowment scholarships last spring. Shannon Scott, Public Relations and Interpersonal Communications senior, and Elizabeth Erwin, Advertising senior, each received $500 from the scholarship fund. Oklahoma author Bob Burke donated a gift of $10,000 in December 2005 and started the endowment, Lisa Antonelli, Director of Development for the College of Liberal Arts, said. Antonelli said the two scholarships given out this year were from a special donation of $1,000 from Burke and the rest of the scholarship money given will be from the interest earned by Burke's initial $10,000 donation.
"The next scholarships Collins was inducted into the will probably be about $350. Oklahoma Journalism Hall of However, the more people who Fame in 1998 and the Oklahoma donate, the more the endow- Historical Society Hall of Fame ment will increase," Antonelli in 2005. said. Washington said the scholarReba Collins, the scholar- ship fund was established to ship's namesake, received her give Collins' friends, co-workbachelor's degree from UCO ers and students a chance to when itwas Central State College contribute in her memory after in 1957. She worked at CSC her passing in November 2005. as an instructor and received "She died unexpectedly, we her doctorate in Journalism in miss her. It's a testimony to her 1968 from Oklahoma State as a teacher and as a member University. of the UCO family how many "She got her PhD when people have come forward and women weren't getting PhDs," wanted to remember her this said Pamela Washington, dean way," Washington said. of the college of Liberal Arts. "The scholarship recipients Collins sperved as head of are walking in a great woman's public relations for Central State shoes," Antonelli said. College until . 1975, when she Application information for became the director of the Will the 2007-2008 scholarships will Rogers Memorial in Claremore. be available in spring of 2007. She wrote eight books on Will Rogers and was an advisor for the Broadway play, "Will Jessica Snell can be reached at jsnell@thevistaonline.com . Rogers Follies."
Lebanon fighting escalates; heatwave grips Oklahoma. See News pg. 5