THE
The Student Voice Since 1903 TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Freshman orientation draws record numbers
VP nominee to face Senate ■ April Atkinson accepted her nomination as UCOSA vice president Aug. 30. by Joseph Wertz Staff Writer
■ Freshman attribute new friendships to week's events by Lacy Myers Staff Writer More freshmen attended Freshman Orientation this year than in any other past year, said Blake Fry, director of Campus Life. A record-breaking 1,046 freshman attended the event during Stampede Week. The attendance broke the previous record high of 921 and shattered last year's attendance of 839, Fry said. Orientation included addresses from Dr. Don Betz, UCO provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; Dr. Kathryn Gage, vice president for student services; and Stacy McNeiland, executive director of the Office of Alumni Relations. Keynote speaker for the event was Professor Joe Martin, founder and president of Real World University, a resource center designed to help students succeed in school and life. Students were offered "It warmed me sessions about up to meeting personal finance and new people." smart" partying. Other activities included — Liz Honeyman campus tours, a Nursing freshman speech by Ethan Zohn of "Survivor Africa," a barbecue dinner and a casino night. Several students said their favorite part was 'Thyfair," a fast-paced icebreaker full of games requiring students to interact. "I know half of the people in my classes now because of the Playfair,". said Cortney Florence, a forensic science major from Pond Creek. Several freshmen said that orientation helped them meet people and become familiar with the campus. "It warmed me up to meeting new people," said Liz Honeyman, a nursing major from Broken Arrow. One of her biggest fears about attending college was being by herself, she said.
April Atkinson was nominated by the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association to be its new vice president. UCOSA President Lane Perry made the announcement at a joint session meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, in Constitution Hall. There must be a two-thirds majority vote by the stu-
dent senate to confirm the nomination. "April Atkinson is the most qualified for UCO, and is fully capable of the vice president position," said Dan Ross, speaker of the house. There were eight applications submitted and five applicants were called for interviews. "We were pleased with the turnout, students only had four days to turn in applications," UCOSA President Lane Perry said.
"In the past, the vice presi- April Atkinson is dent was nomi- the vice presinated by the dential nominee president, but I for UCOSA. With wanted to do it a two-thirds vote differently and of the Senate, more diploshe will become matically, vice president. because I wasn't going to be the only one that will work with the new vice president."
April Atkinson is a broadcast journalism senior and was an Orientation Team Leader. Team leaders plan events focused on new students such as Stampede Week. Approximately 60 people attended the joint session meeting.
On a Roll ■ The latest addition to campus is the sushi bar in the Nigh University Food Court. by Emily Rothrock Staff Writer
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Photo by Justin Avera
Aung Nge, who goes by 'Tommy,' prepares sushi Aug. 30.
The University Center Food Court's newest addition is the Southern Tsunami sushi bar, located between the submarines and the hotdogs. Before you scoff at the thought of eating raw fish, know that the Japanese, as a group, are healthier and live longer that any other demographic. Sushi and rice are a staple part of their diet. The sushi bar's first day in operation was Aug. 17. It was a soft opening but when the students came pouring in Aug. 23, the sushi bar's sales exceeded officials' expectations. "Monday we were just shocked at the positive response," said Valerie Wolf, the director of Campus Dining. Wolf is the person who helped get Southern Tsunami on campus. She said faculty, staff and students drove the addition of the Sushi Bar on campus. "With our international student population, we wanted to offer something that they would enjoy," said Amber Taylor, the administrative assistant of Auxiliary Operations.
"The Advanced Fresh Concepts cooperation brought the idea of Southern Tsunami to Chartwells and UCO as an addition to the food court," Wolf said. Southern Tsunami is a trademark of AFC and is based out of California, she said. Chartwells is the company in
"With our international student population, we wanted to offer something that they would enjoy." — AMBER TAYLOR Auxiliary Operations
charge of all the food on campus, from supplying tator tots for the cafeteria to securing contracts with Chick-fil-a and Pacific Rim. Southern Tsunami is the same company that brings fresh sushi to the Edmond Super Target daily. Many different sushi dishes are made fresh every morning by the sushi bar's chef and placed in the reach-in cooler.
see SUSHI BAR, page 4
see ORIENTATION, page 3
NO SMOKING Within 25 Foot of Entrance Is10.0 fine)
Fraternity to raise supplies for students ■ UCO fraternity Omega Psi Phi will hold a fundraiser to benefit students of local elementary school. by Lauren Pulsinelli Senior Staff Writer
Photo by Robert Crauthers
Sarah Lamb, sociology major, places a smoking regulation sign on the Communication building August 26. The regulation requires smokers to be at least 25 feet from the entrance of all buildings or risk a $100 fine.
Smoking policy to be enforced by officials by Vista Staff Campus officials will soon begin enforcing a smoking policy that went into effect last year. The policy prohibits smoking within 25 feet of public entrances to buildings on cam-
pus. The misdemeanor is punishable by a $100 fine, and citations will be issued. Decals were placed on doors at the affected entrances last August and more prominent signs were put up last week.
School is in session and many students have spent their money on books and school supplies. Complaining about money already spent won't improve matters, and there are students who can't afford needed school supplies at all. Omega Psi Phi, a UCO fraternity, decided to slightly ease some financial burden for the schoolchildren at Martin Luther King Elementary in Oklahoma City by showcasing two fund-raising activities. One is a fashion show at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 in Constitution Hall. Tickets are $3 with a school supply donation and $5 without. A talent show will be at 7:30 p.m. the next night at Constitution Hall. The cost for entry is $5. "We found a cool way for people to come out and enjoy themselves, and at the same time raise money for school supplies," said Jason Phenix, Omega Psi Phi off-campus advisor. Phenix graduated from UCO with a business management degree. Phenix was there last year when the organization donated $600 worth of supplies for the first tune to Martin Luther King Elementary School. "It was a good feeling, and we got to take pictures with the kids," Phenix said. This year, he said, the organization is hoping to raise enough money to donate school supplies to an additional school, North Highland Math and Science Elementary School.
Omega Psi Phi was founded in 1911 and became the first fraternity founded on a black campus. The fraternity started its first year at UCO in 1998. Members include Bronchos football captain of defense, Anthony Byrd. Phenix said more students are showing up to prospective membership meetings. He said it is clear that interest in the organization is growing. There is no limit to the number of students allowed in the fraternity, but there are requirements. Students must have a 2.5 minimum G.P.A. and be of sophomore standing. Though, not required community service experience is a plus and something the organization looks for. Members include recognizable names, such as Langston Hughes, Jesse Jackson and Steve Harvey. Through the organization, Phenix said, "I learned more about African American history and was able to network with people who shared my same goals, like community service." Another scholarship given by the organization is for $250 in books to two UCO students. Asia Thompson and. Kathryn Tishner were this year's winners and the only people who applied for the scholarship. The winners were required to write a onepage essay, be of at least sophomore standing and involved in community service projects. Thompson and Tishner will be presented with certificates at the fashion show. Phenix said Mary Eriven of the Financial Aid
see FRATERNITY, page 3
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS ■ A UCO Italian Country Fair will be held Sept. 16-18 at Garland Godfrey on cernpus. It will feature activities and food and is free to the public. ■ The Wellness Center will offer "Freedom from Smoking," an eight-week smoking cessation program developed by the American Lung Association. For more information, call the Wellness Center at 9743150. ■ A meningitis vaccine clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Wellness Center. The cost is $90. For more information, contact the Health Center at 974-2317.
INDEX Opinion 2 News 3 Campus Events 3 Sports 5 Classifieds 7
www.thevistaonline.com
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