The Vista Sept. 29, 2005

Page 1

HOMECOMING 2005

The Student Voice Since 1903 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2005

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

Confusion, lack of donations stalls hurricane relief campaign

Increased disabled enrollment at UCO reflects statewide college trend

Organization unsure when trailer would be delivered, where it could park and how to get the word out to the UCO community

University experiences one-year boost in number of disabled students

by Courtney Bryce Vista Staff Writer

More accessible institutions cited as one reason for growth by Brett Deering Vista Staff Writer UCO disabled student enrollment increased 47 percent last year, with a 57 percent increase reported statewide. "Oh yes, a big increase," said Kimberly Fields, UCO coordinator for Disability Support Services. She said disabled student enrollment rose from 576 in 2003/2004 to 845 in 2004/2005. A statement released by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education said the Council on Student Affairs, an advisory council to the Regents, conducted a survey of 23 institutions statewide on policies and issues that affect disabled students. The report showed a 57 percent increase in disabled student enrollment from the years 2000 to 2004, with a total enrollment of 3,600 in 2004. Fields said that with efforts undertaken by institutions to make facilities more physically accessible, she believes one reason for the increased enrollment is a better understanding of the nature of various disabilities. She said that with more advanced testing procedures, school officials have a better comprehension of a student's capabilities.

"Now school counselors can say 'well yes, you can go to college, — she said. The Office of Civil Rights, the entity within the U.S. Department of Education charged with enforcing the portions of the American with Disabilities Act concerned with education, states on its Web site that "The mission of the Office for Civil Rights is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights." Brad Morelli, UCO legal counsel, said UCO compliance is considered above the minimum requirements by the ADA. "In the last 10 years, we've probably spent four or five million dollars retrofitting campus for access," Morelli said. He said that retrofitting existing structures to meet regulations is expensive. He said future construction projects have ADA compliance planned, which greatly reduces cost to retrofit. Stephanie Cerny, graduate student in English, has been at UCO for three years and uses a wheelchair. She said her overall experience with accessibility like sidewalks and building

Please see TREND, page 4

Student drops near Broncho Lake, dehydration cited

by Vista photographer Brett Deering

Two students walk past a trailer, sponsored by the UCO Student Diatetic Association, parked on the sidewalk Sept. 28 east of Murdaugh Hall. Problems plagued the effort and donations were few.

Six former students set for distinguished status First AfricanAmerican student, CNN anchor among honorees of annual award by Lauren Hyer Vista Staff Writer Six former UCO students will receive "The Distinguished Former Student Award" at an alumni luncheon 11:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in the Nigh University Ballrooms. "We've been giving this award since the fifties," said Juliane Morgan, coordinator of special events of Alumni Relations. "It is the highest honor alumni can receive." The students being honored include: Stan Case, 1975; Elizabeth Hilton-Threatt, 1959; Belva Prestidge-Howard, 1979; Mike McAuliffe, 1981 and Dr. Frankie Wood-Black 1984. Hilton-Threatt is the last

surviving member of the first five African-American women to attend UCO in 1954. She received her master's in teaching at what was then Central State College. She worked for 44 years teaching at Luther public schools and retired in 1976. She said she has always been interested in children. Hilton-Threatt also owned and operated a gas station and grocery store with her husband in Luther. She has received recognition for her accomplishments and service to her community, including a street and library named after her in Luther. She was also named Donor of the Year by the United States Help Hospitalized Veterans. "I love humanity," said Hilton-Threatt. "If I can help in any way, regardless, I always do." Case graduated from thenCentral State University with a B.A. in Communication/ Broadcasting and later acquired a law degree from Georgia State

Gandhi portrait to debut Oct. 3 in campus gallery Event will coincide with non-violence leader's birthday by Vista photographer Justin Avera

Justin Ladd, elementary education freshman, being removed on a stretcher Sept. 28 from near Broncho Lake. A friend said he had given blood, consumed caffeine and was running on little sleep. Ladd was transported to Edmond Medical Center.

by Courtney Bryce Vista Staff Writer

Edmond Mayor Saundra Naifeh will unveil Mahatma Gandhi's portrait at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Donna Nigh blood, Sept. 27, lack of sleep, by Lauren Hyer Gallery in celebration of the and too much caffeine, said his Vista Staff Writer legend's birthday. / friend Kyle Ray. Dr. Narasinga Rao, dean of Medics arrived about 10 to 15 A UCO student passed out minutes after he passed out and the Jackson College of Graduate around 12:30 p.m. by Broncho transported him by ambulance Studies and Research, said Lake. Naifeh will also proclaim Oct. to Edmond Medical Center. Justin Ladd, elementary 3 as Mahatma Gandhi Day for education freshman, collapsed the city of Edmond. due to a combination of giving Please see LADD, page 4 Rao said an exhibit of art and crafts from his own personal collection will be displayed by the portrait. "I think it will bring out how The Oklahoma Blood Institute non-violence can be successful brought "Obi" the blood drop to because Gandhi's principal was campus to promote blood donanon-violence," Rao said. tion during Homecoming Week. Dr. Gregory Scott, professor Photos, Pg. 6 and chair of the Department INDEX of Political Science, said after 2 Opinion the unveiling he will give a 3 News lecture over the life of Gandhi 11 Classifieds at 1 p.m. Oct. 3 in Pegasus 12 Sports Theater.

INSIDE

"I will mainly be talking about the non-violent revolution he (Gandhi) led in India and his ability to restore peace after the Indian Revolution," Scott said. "He kept Indians and Muslims from killing each other after Indian independence." Scott said he will be describing how Gandhi achieved what he did and how he is portrayed as a 'portrait of courage.' "I hope to demonstrate that Gandhi's thoughts are powerful and that his ideas are not ideal. They require courage," Scott said. "Political change can come through non-violence." Scott said he thinks the portrait of Gandhi will remind people of the strength he (Gandhi) used to make contributions to his nation. Father Aveline D'Souza, principal of the St. Joseph's College of Business Administration in Bangalore,

Please see GANDHI, page 4

University in 1996. He has been working for CNN for over 20 years and is now a news anchor for CNNRadio Network. He has won awards at local radio stations and CNN, including the Ohio State Award for Excellence for the CNN's staff coverage at the Persian Golf war. Case said he has never been that interested in individual awards, that he is more of a team player. "It's a great honor," he said about the distinguished student award. "I am very humble someone would nominate me. It is a big surprise, and to be honored in this way is very special." Morgan said the selection committee is made of UCO alumni board members who receive the nominations from a mix of alumni, professors, and faculty. Morgan said the "family of the year" award will also be presented.

Please see AWARD, page 4

HOMECOMING EVENTS

â– Homecoming events: Sept. 29: 10-5 p.m. Blood Drive, UC. 5:30 p.m. Cookout, next to Broncho Lake. 6-8 p.m. Laff Olympics, next to Broncho Lake. Sept. 30: 8 a.m. Golden Bronchos Reunion, UC, Will Rogers Room. 10:30 a.m. Collegiate Alumni Association Distinguished Former Student Reception, UC, Heritage Room. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Distinguished Former Student Luncheon UC, ballrooms. 1 p.m. Bunker Blast Golf Tournament Women's Athletic Golf Tournament. 5 p.m. to midnight, Homecoming Block Party. 5 p.m. Alumni House drinks and tours. 6 p.m. Cheer and dance competition, East Hall field. 7 p.m. Black Alumni Reception, Evans Hall Alumni Center. 8 p.m. Bonfire, East Hall field. 9 p.m. Phanton Planet concert, East Hall field. Oct. 1: 8 a.m. Open alumni/community breakfast, alumni house. 8 a.m. Women's athletic reunion breakfast, Athletic association breakfast. 10:30 a.m. Parade. 11 a.m. Dedication of Plunkett Park. 12:15 p.m. Spirit Walk, UC. 12:30 p.m. Pre-game tailgating, west of Wantland Stadium. 2 p.m. Football, UCO versus Southwestern. Wantland Stadium. 5:30 p.m. College of Liberal Arts reunion, UC. 5:30 p.m. College of Arts, Media & Design reunion, Evans Hall alumni center. 7:30 p.m. Black alumni award reception, UC, Ballroom A.

The Student Dietetic Association faced disappointment last week because of low student response to a campaign to collect non-perishable food items for hurricane victims. SDA President and nutrition senior Devin Orrell said SDA originally planned a garage sale to raise money for their student fund. He said when Hurricane Katrina hit they decided to collect and donate non-perishable food items to Feed the Children. "We wanted to make it a campus-wide event," Orrell said. "When a tragedy of this magnitude happens it shouldn't be one person (or organization)." Orrell said that in order to make the project campus-wide, Campus Life had to approve it. Orrell said SDA had already arranged for Over Night Transport, a trucking company, to donate a 53-foot truck for a week to collect the items. "Since we were told to wait until we had the truck, we were not able to promote until a few days before," Orrell said. "We didn't know when the truck was coming." Orrell said the main problem the organization faced was that Campus Life wanted SDA to wait before promoting the event. "The only reason I told them to wait was to make sure they had

Please see DRIVE, page 3

ISC approves secretary, scholarship at weekly meeting Homecoming float plan gets thumbs down by Trisha Evans Vista Senior Staff Writer The International Student Council held its weekly meeting at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Will Rogers Room of the Nigh University Center. A homecoming budget proposal, made by Josephine Mangoli, ISC vice president, failed. It would have allocated $438 to build a homecoming float. Jalal Daneshfar, ISC advisor said he is worried the float would be built without enthusiasm or participation from ISC members. "When it comes to homecoming we've got a lot of catching up to do. Building a float may be a little premature for this year," Daneshfar said. "Americans know this is not international culture, it is American culture." Ademola Adeyemi, president of the Nigerian Student Association, asked they council, "Do we even know what homecoming is about?" Daneshfar suggested the council members wear their

Please see ISC, page 3


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