The Student Voice Since 1903 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Police crack down Actress lands at UCO on drunk driving for holiday weekend ■ Labor Day weekend is one of the most deadliest of the year with alcohol-related traffic accidents by Joseph Wertz Staff Writer ,
Edmond Police are putting in extra officer hours to enforce drunk driving laws as part of the "You Drink & Drive, You Lose" program. This is the first year the Edmond Police Department has participated in the program. "We really want to get the message across that if you drink and drive you are going to jail," Glenda Chu, Public Information Officer for the EPD said. "The suspicion of impairment is on the discretion of our officers, but during this program especially their discretion will be limited." Funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will help pay overtime hours to police departments so they
can devote officers to DUI enforcement. The advertising is primarily focused on 21-34 year old males. The U.S. Congress has provided the NHTSA with $14 million for national advertising campaigns on television and radio. Jeff Harp, director of Public Safety at UCO, noted the increase in focus on DUI enforcement from the EPD. "The Edmond Police are being pretty public about their initiative. They are pooling resources and being aggressive about slowing down the number of DUI's," Harp said. The EPD noted that there were 363 adult and 18 Juvenile DUI arrests in 2003, and 20 accidents involving alcohol. The blood alcohol limit for all 50 states is .08. The "You Drink & Drive, You Lose" program runs from Aug.17 to Sept. 12.
Health Center to offer shots for meningitis • Meningitis is a sometimes-deadly disease that is often spread in college dormitories by Lauren Pulsinelli Senior Staff Writer
To prevent UCO from contracting meningitis, the Student Health Center will offer a meningitis clinic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 in the WHO: Wellness Students who live in Center, Rm. dorms 104 WHAT: High Meningococcal disease fever, vaccinations headache and WHEN: stiff neck are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 9 common WHERE: symptoms of Student Health Center the oftenWHY: deadly To prevent the spread meningococof the deadly disease cal meningitis, known to spread in college dormitories. In compliance with a recent mandate, UCO is
now required to inform its campus residents with detailed information on risks associated with the disease and availability and effectiveness of any vaccine. "This is such a serious disease, with chances of having some long-term effects," said LaBetta Wallenmeyer, director of the Student Health Center. The disease is an infection of fluid in the spinal cord that surrounds the brain and is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Other symptoms may include: nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights and confusion. Symptoms can develop over several hours or may take one to two days. "Any student who contracted the disease would be put in the hospital immediately, where they would be quarantined," Wallenmeyer said.
see MENINGITIS, page 3
Photo by Justin Avera
Daisy Kopp (center) interacts with students during her Beginning Acting class. She has acted on screen and on stage.
■ Film and stage star joins the UCO Department of Theatre faculty by Kelley Chambers Staff Writer
Daisy Kopp, UCO's newest theatre faculty member, not only spent the bulk of her childhood in the landdown-under, but also resembles one of Australia's most popular exports, actress Nicole Kidman. All the way from Los Angeles, Kopp, a seasoned stage and screen actress, recently packed her bags for Oklahoma after spending the last few years teaching acting at California State University, Long Beach. "I was very fortunate," Kopp said. "I applied for the job after reading about the university online." "I think the students are wonderful, the faculty are extraordinarily talented, and the people I've met are very caring," she said. Born in Coronado, Calif., Kopp's father moved the family around the nation and the world. Upon returning to the United States, the family lived in places as varied as North Dakota, Arizona and nearly everyplace in between. Kopp, who has been acting professionally for 20 years, began in junior high and segued her love of acting to
a bachelor's degree in fine arts in the- rades," Kopp said with a laugh. "He's ater from Eastern New Mexico a really nice down-to-earth guy." University and a masters of fine arts Now at UCO, Kopp is teaching advanced acting styles, beginin acting from ning acting for majors and Louisiana State University. "It's my dream to introduction to theatre arts. Kopp said that she has been From there, be a professor at impressed so far with the calshe has per- formed with a university." iber of student actors in the department. some big names "The student actors are so on stage, and screen. incredibly talented," she said. Among direc- - DAISY KOPP Dr. Bob McGill could baretors, Kopp has Theatre professor ly contain his enthusiasm starred in two when describing Kopp's transfilms directed by plant to the Sooner state. Christopher Coppola, the older broth"Her generosity and her willinger of actor Nicholas Cage. ness are something I have to stifle," The first was 1998's McGill said. "She plunged right in. "Clockmakers," then 2000's "Bel We are just delighted that she's here." Air," co-starring Barbara Bain, from McGill also described theater stuthe 1960's television show "Mission dents as "bubbling over with enthusiImpossible." asm," since they have had the opporAmong other recognizable names tunity to meet and learn from Kopp. Kopp has worked with on stage "It's been my dream to be a profesincluded: Tom Wopat, better known sor at a university," said Kopp, who as "Luke Duke" from the television has been teaching acting on and off show "The Dukes of Hazzard," and for 14 years. "I really care so deeply Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer about my students and want them to Simpson. know that I'm available to learn with "When I worked with him see KOPP, page 3 (Castellaneta), I beat him at cha,
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS The Broncho Blitz Pep Rally will kick off the 2004 football season at 8 p.m. Sept. 2 in Wantland Stadium. Free hotdogs and drinks will be available.
The sun sets behind Old North Aug. 31.
A UCO Italian Country Fair will be held Sept. 16-18 at Garland Godfrey on campus. It will feature activities and food and is free to the public. A meningitis vaccine clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Student Health Center. The cost is $90. For more information, contact the Health Center at 974-2317.
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