Broncho football at Abilene Christian Sept. 3, See sports Pg. 8
"Flight" sculpture model unveiled. See Pg. 3
The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
Confusion deters Students pitch in to spruce up campus some student riders from Broncho Bus Lack of bus identification and late arrivals forces some to choose alternate transportation by Brett Deering Vista Staff Writer UCO administrators are addressing initial start-up problems with the Broncho Bus, which was added to the Eddy bus system this semester to service the new Central Plaza's residents. Some students have experienced problems like late buses and identification of the new line. "On the first day of school, I wanted to ride the bus and saw a guy getting picked up, but I thought it was a regular city bus so I didn't get on," said Mark Hays, marketing freshman. "Since it was raining, I just drove." Karen Ocker, director of Transportation and Parking Services, said even though the bus looks like a Metro Transit bus, "The bus itself has signage on the doors stating it is the route 34 or Broncho Bus." Ocker said she has been in contact with Metro Transit to have more recognizable markings put on the bus.
Ocker said her department is working with University Relations on a design concept to make the bus more distinguishable. Dr. Bill Wiseman, director of University Relations, said the committee had a meeting Aug. 29 about the design. "We have been working with the artist," Wiseman said, "And we are really hoping to have the design done in 30 days, maybe six weeks." Raymond Payton, computer science junior, said he had ridden the bus once, but said on several occasions the bus wasn't on time. Payton said he called the main UCO number to ask about schedule times but "I kept getting different answers from whoever I was talking to." Ocker said the new route will need some time to level out. "Traffic patterns fluctuate in the first two weeks of school and the drivers have been taking time to educate people about the line," she said. "When everybody figures out what works
Please see BUS, page 3
by Vista photographer Justin Avera
Patrick Kubier, psychology freshman, picks up trash from the waterfall at Broncho Lake during 'Clean up Central Day' Aug. 29.
The office of Student Affairs supplied gloves, trash bags, water and pizza for participants. "I wanted to come out and show support," said Dr. Kathyrn Gage, vice president of Student Affairs. "It is very important to take pride in our campus, so we dedicated today as campus clean-up day." "I saw the announcement on UCO Centralities," said Chris Snoddy, student conduct officer. "I used to put together
"We have to clean up after last week (Stampede Week)," said Tony Houck, graduate student. "Plus we get free pizza." Gage said this is the beginning of a year long endeavor to keep our campus clean and provide an environment suitable to live, learn and work in. Cole Stanley, assistant vice president of Student Affairs, said they put the event together
Woolard said the joint session usually includes UCOSA's supreme court. "It's tradition that they are The 9th legislature of the supposed to be there, but we UCO Student Association did not contact them," Woolard opened for session Aug. 29 in said. "We stood to recognize Constitution Hall. them out of tradition." Nathan Woolard, president Supreme court justices are of UCOSA, invited Dr. Kathryn appointed and serve until they Gage, vice president of Student graduate. Woolard said many Affairs to speak. She asked of the justices have graduated senators and, representatives to and he is in the process of remember UCO has a variety of appointing more. The justices students. will then need to be approved "Please work hard to know by the senate and the house. their opinion and represent In his speech, Woolard said their opinion," Gage said. "If he wants UCOSA to pay for the something needs changed, let's UCO logo to be placed on the change it." water tower on Ayers Street. He
estimates the project will cost between $3,000 and $5,000. Woolard reported the current UCOSA budget at $20,247 for the year. He said $1,677 has been spent so far on such things as office supplies. Jill Sallee, speaker of the house, announced that applications will be taken until the 20 empty seats in the house of representatives are filled. Barrett Dye, president pro tempore of the senate, said he wants the senate meetings to more closely follow Robert's Rules of Order for parliamentary procedure. Jonathan Nazari, deputy pro tempore of the senate, said
Volunteers removed trash and debris from around Broncho Lake by Lauren Hyer Vista Staff Writer About 15 students and faculty came out to Broncho Lake to collect trash for Clean-up Central Day Aug. 29.
these kind of clean-up events when I worked in UCO housing. "
and hope to make some attempts to do the same sort of thing later this year. "We would like to work with UCOSA," Stanley said. Nathan Woolard, student body president, said he is starting a program called "Lead by Example," and plans to designate a specific time and day once a week to gather students to help clean-up campus. Lauren Hyer can be reached at Ihyer@thevistaonline.com .
Economics profs hope to spark informed debate Woolard, UCOSA meet, outline goals by Lauren Hyer Vista Staff WriterTwo UCO assistant economics professors are partnering this year to enhance policy debate in Oklahoma with the UCO Policy Institute. Dr. Mickey Hepner, director of UCOPI, said many students and members of the community may not know the truth about important issues. He said the goal of this organization is to break down confusing articles and statistics and provide real and objective research to the public. "I review very technical stuff and translate it on our Web site so the public and students can
understand," Hepner said. "We concentrate on topics like government spending, taxes, education, welfare and healthcare." Hepner said students might be interested to know that UCO receives less money per student than any other regional university in the state, about $10 million less than the average on a per-student basis. He said with additional money, UCO would have more advisors, councilors, student health employees and faculty to enhance learning. Hepner said this raises some serious policy issues. Hepner and Dr. Susanne Currier, associate director of
Health Health columnist Callie A. Collins looks into the problem of binge drinking by college students. See A Healthy Dose, Pg. 2
Entertainment Staff writer Nathan Winfrey reviews "The Brothers Grimm." See entertainment Pg. 5 Art project continues on grain elevator. , See photos, Pg. 4
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Pg. 7
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INDEX
2 Hurricane Katrina °Nepwinsion 3 Where to donate. See Pg. 2
UCOSA should keep organizing lobbying task forces. Last semester a group was organized to lobby the state Legislature to pass a $500 million bond issue. "We need to keep this going, we don't need this to be just a one year project," Nazari said. He said UCO will work with Clay Pope, president of the Oklahoma Student Government Association that organizes students to lobby at the state Capitol.
Trisha Evans can be reached at tevans@thevistaonline.com.
Please see DEBATE, page 3
INSIDE
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by Trisha Evans
Vista Senior Staff Writer
Classifieds 6 Sports 8
ISC meets, int'l house coming soon
Afternoon fire
■ The National Association of Black Journalists will hold an organizational meeting at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 in the Communications Building Rm. 200. For more information e-mail Jo Nixon as jnixon@ucok.edu .
by Trisha Evans Vista Senior Staff Writer
The UCO International Student Council held its first formal meeting of the semester Aug. 29 in the Robert S. Kerr Room of the Nigh University Center. `Lane Daniels, president of ISC, announced the "international house" will open Oct. 1. He said the house, which is actually an apartment located on Chowning Street, will be a hub for internationals. Daniels said the "house," which will be decorated in a hodgepodge of art, flags and currency from around the world, will not only be a place for students to hang out, but also house ISC's offices. Plans for an international house have been in the works for over a year, Daniels said.
Please see ISC, page 3
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
■ The Public Relations Student Society of America will hold its first monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 in The Communications Building Rm. 105. For more information call Stephanie Johnson at 4014539. Free pizza and soda pop. ■ Students for an Accessible Society will meet at noon Sept. 8 at the Nigh University Center Rm. 300. For more information call Reg Aldrich at 834-0069.
by Vista photographer Brett Deering
A worker stands in front of a tar machine that caught fire Aug. 30 outside the Art Building. Workers have been applying a new roof. The Edmond Fire Department responded, but no one was injured.
. ■ The UCO Young Democrats will host their first meeting at 1 p.m. Sept. 6 in The Liberal Arts Building Rm. 219. Contact James Henson at JHenson@ucok. edu for more information. For more information on clubs and activities call Campus Life at 974-2363.