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iiiv crsity
of Central Oklahoma Since 1903
Faculty and students share insight on the next four years After a highly-anticipated presidential election, students and faculty at UCO have strong and varied opinions on the outcome. Oklahoma carried Sen. John McCain in the Electoral College, but Presidentelect Barack Obama won the election with 364 electoral votes and 52 percent of the popular vote.
Winner takes center stage Peer Educators reach students The Wellness Center and University Health Services are teaming to promote the Healthy Campus Initiative to students at UCO. With the recent announcement of. the UCO Peer Educators program, students will have access to health care information through other students that have been trained by the Health and Wellness Center Education staff.
Committee recognizes UCO employee
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Opinion What should Blue do for you? My jawbone will be broken in four places in 55 days. Over the years, my jaw has shifted into a position that the doctors say may only get worse. They said my jaw is like a growing tumor, which could stop, but, most likely, will not. I have migraines that penetrate the front of my head, like I am continuously sticking my head in a freezer or drinking a slush drink too fast. -Page 4
Sports
Wrestling makes it look easy UCO conquered Grand Canyon University with ease Saturday afternoon, 42-3. The No. 6-ranked Bronchos won nine straight matches, only losing at 174 pounds and having two forfeits. The Antelopes drew first blood in the 174-pound match, with Cody Rowell succumbing to Daniel Garay, 3-5. -Page 8
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State regents propose a tuition freeze By Ryan Croft Staff Writer
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A UCO employee was recently awarded the Public Personnel Employee Award by the Oklahoma City Mayor's Committee on Disability Concerns. Kimberly Fields, assistant director for UCO's Disability Support Services, was presented the award on Oct. 28.
History professor Dr. David Webb said eight years of the Bush administration has exhausted its welcome and ideas in Washington, D.C. and. Obama will "give us a lift for a more foreseeable future."
by Vista photographer Chris Albers
Taylor Upson performs a lyrical dance to the song "On My Own" at the 33rd Annual Miss UCO Scholarship Pageant at Constitution Hall on Saturday night. Upson was crowned this year's Miss UCO.
Upson named the 2008 Miss UCO on Saturday By Lauren Lubbers Staff Writer
Former Miss UCO Ashley Edwards passed down her crown to the 2009 first place winner, sophomore Taylor Upson of Sigma Phi Lambda Sorority at the 33rd annual Miss UCO Scholarship Pageant this weekend. The theme of this year's pageant was "The Beauty of UCO." The new Miss UCO has won both cash and UCO tuition waiver scholarships totaling almost $8,000. She will also have the opportunity to continue on to the Miss Oklahoma Pageant and even as far as Miss America. Upson is an Elementary Education major from Owasso. First runner up was freshman and public relations major
Stephanie Villanella of Skiatook followed by second runner up freshman Emily Weeks of Lawton with a major in dance. All contestants that placed were awarded a $1,200 tuition waiver. "It was the best pageant I have ever been in, the board was amazing and extremely helpful," Villanella said. "Being able to represent UCO is an amazing opportunity and Taylor will do a great job." The pageant took place at the Nigh University Center's Constitution Hall late Saturday evening. There were seven judges present, one whom was former Miss Oklahoma. The pageant consisted of 12 contestants including eight freshman, one sophomore, one junior and two seniors. See UPSON,
Your tuition costs may not go up next year, thanks to a proposal from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The regents voted Friday to request that tuition and mandatory fees for the 2009-2010 school year be frozen at their current level, according to an OSRHE Friday press release. The proposal comes as part of OSRHE's Chancellor Glen Johnson's "Putting Families First" initiative. "I think the...'Family First' program makes a lot of sense," UCO President Roger Webb said in a Friday address to the State Regents. "Particularly in these uncertain economic times." emphasized Johnson the importance of freezing the tuition and fee costs. "It is becoming very clear that our state will need to increase its investment in higher education," Johnson said in the press release, "in order to keep higher Glen Johnson education within reach of Oklahoma's working families." As part of the proposed freeze, OSRHE is also requesting $80 million to pay universities' operational needs, according to the release. "'Putting Families First'...provides our institutions the funding they need to operate," Johnson said. "And provides students and their families with significant financial relief to allow them to focus on their education." The release also stated the OSRHE will discuss increasing student financial aid in the coming legislative session. The increases would bring an extra $450,000 for state scholarship programs, according to the press release. OSRHE Director of Communications Ben Hardcastle said Thursday he does not believe the U.S.' rollercoaster-like economy will have an immediate impact on students' ability to afford attending a public college.
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Internationals voice opinions on Obama By Abha Eli Phoboo Senior Reporter
President-elect Barack Obama's victory was closely watched the world over. In Kenya, the feeling of elation was overwhelming as the country declared a holiday to honor "Our son," as Obama is fondly called in the African nation. Obama's father was a scholar from Kenya. World leaders have overextended themselves to congratulate the new American leader. For international students here at UCO, the 2008 U.S. election results meant new hope for change in policies and a renewal of relations between countries. Obama has spoken many times about ending the war in Iraq. "I really hope that he will end the
wars in Iraq and handle things better," Di lshoda Sharifzoda, from Tajikistan, said. With the world facing a period of financial crisis, it will be crucial for Obama to handle things carefully and seek to work with other countries. His presidency faces many challenges. "Times have totally changed," Koichi Sakamoto, from Japan, said. "I'm really excited to see how they'll handle things, the team they'll put together in Washington and how they'll deal with the economy. Obama's presidency also puts the minorities and ethnic communities in America in an entirely new light." Obama's victory also signals a change in direction in America's policies. People view it as America growing less isolationist and more progressive.
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AP Photo
In this Nova 7, 2008 file photo, President-elect Obama responds to question during a news conference in Chicago as vice president-elect Joe Biden, right, listens. Obama is putting hope on hold. He is using most of his time out of the public eye to study up and prepare for the new pressures he faces, a limited period where he has the luxury of putting on the cloak of the presidency without yet taking responsibility for the country's 3 ills.
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