The Vista Nov. 19, 2009

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Christian crowned queen Tivanna Harris swim

Julie Christian was crowned Miss UCO 2010 this past Saturday, Nov. 14. Christian competed in three other pageants before winning Miss UCO but said that the UCO pageant was the most enjoyable she competed in. "Working with girls from your own home university, they didn't have attitudes or anything like that it was just a really enjoyable experience," Christian said. "You really have a support system you don't have in other pageants. We just cheered each other on, no one was out to get anyone. "I received $2,300 total in scholarship money which was a big incentive obviously, I pay for my college by myself so I really rely on scholarships and that Photo by Allison Rathgeber takes care of a big portion," Christian said. Julie Christian, a junior Political Science major, was crowned on Nov. 14. This "UCO offers some of the is the first crown she has won and her platform is sex trafficking awareness. best scholarships in the

The slippery slope of credit card debt supplies, averaging $2,200 a year, 134 percent higher than in 2004. Skiff 11 niter One professor at UCO hopes recent statistics lead to future lessons and responsiA recently passed law that restricts bility among college students. credit card companies' ability to raise "Credit card companies gain at the loss interest rates is slated to take full effect in of the consumers," Dr. Mohamad Shaaf 2010, and the creditors are passing on the said. Shaff, who has been a professor of squeeze to their cardholders. College students, who own an average economics at UCO since 198o, said, "For of $3,173 in credit card debt, are among the most part, [deals with credit card companies] are not mutually beneficial." those who are most effected. Shaaf said although college students The law is called the Credit Card realize credit cards aren't free, they fail to Accountability, Responsibility and realize how much of their future income is Disclosure Act, or CARD. Currently, all the mortgaged to creditors. credit cards offered online by the nation's "When they become hostages. They're 12 largest bank card companies violate at least one part of the forthcoming law, in a box. They're in a prison." Shaaf said. "The best thing to do is to simply avoid according to a study released last week. borrowing," Shaaf said. While he said this The Pew Health Group claims most of is a difficult prospect, Shaaf said students these violations are in relation to portions use credit only as a last resort. of the law that prohibit unfair or decepWhen the CARD legislation is fully tive practices in the advertising or billing next year, it protects cardholders enacted language. Leading up to the CARD legislation's on several fronts. For rate increases stemming from late enactment, credit card companies have payments, the rate must return to its origistarted increasing interest rates to cover nal percentage after bills are paid on time potential losses from the law's regulations. for at least six months. Also, a bill cannot Cardholders with ratings of 700 or higher be considered past due if the payment was have seen an over one percent increase in 21 days prior to the postmarked at least interest rates, with some clients experiencdue date, which the law will require be ing rate hikes of over io percent. the same each month. Cardholders will College students have one of the fastest also be protected from overage fees, which growing credit card debts in the US. In a can only be given if the client agrees to study conducted by Sallie Mae, student allow the card to make 'over credit limit' credit card debts have increased nearly 5o purchases. Finally, credit card companies percent since 2004. must provide a detailed schedule showing This rate has ballooned along with the cardholders the amount of time needed cost of college tuition and fees, which to pay off date through making minimum College Board says has al so payments increased 5o percent in the past decade to an average of $6,585 annually. Also, students are relying BROW; HO more on lY 01 credit SOW CARt) al Oklahoma cards to ot 11. Pt*. pay for school

Ryan Costello

DID YOU KNOW James Bond is said to be based on Dr. John Dee, the very first British secret agent. Dee, who lived from 1527 to 1608, was an adviser to Queen Elizabeth I.

Miss America system." The deadline for applications to compete in the pageant was in September and the process began in October. There were ten girls that competed in this year's pageant. The girls had a two-hour nightly rehearsal the week leading up to the pageant. Christian is obligated to make set appearances as Miss UCO and as a representative of the university. "My primary focus will be on my platform which is sex trafficking awareness," Christian said. Christian works with Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans, a grassroots activist program that is working to increase knowledge of what is going on in the state. "Oklahoma is seventh in the nation for sex trafficking and a lot of people don't know that. So our main focus is for people to know it's so popular because of the Interstate 35/I-4o corridor, these are trucking routes where kids are

getting wrapped in prostitution at an early age," Christian said. Christian spoke about young women who were victims at a young age and are now in their twenties and how it takes them so long to recover. "I was in an abusive relationship, so that's part of the reason I chose this platform. I can see how in a small way their story can really help others," Christian said. "We can use our pain to publicize what is going on." The Miss UCO pageant is a preliminary to the Miss Oklahoma pageant, so Christian will automatically be competing for the Miss Oklahoma title. "It's whatever God has in store for me, if this is the only crown I win I will embrace this opportunity" Christian said. Christian said her parents were in attendance at the pageant and are very proud and supportive of see JULIE , page 3

Living Statistics shows impact of violence Tiffany Brown ,s,„ff

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At 11 a.m. on Nov. 18

around Broncho Lake, the reigning Miss Black University of Central Oklahoma Nikki Webber collected donations to support domestic violence victims. Webber hosted a living statistic event for the platform she began while competing in the Miss Black UCO pageant. "My platform is entitled F.A.I.T.H. (Facing Abuse with Inspirational Teaching and Healing) and with this platform I am bringing awareness to the overall occurrence of dating and domestic vioPhoto by Allison Rathgeber lence," Webber said in an JaLeesa Beavers, DeLisa Payne and Lichelle e-mail. "I chose this platform Black raise money for domestic violence awarebecause it is very near and ness Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. dear to my heart. In 2007 Webber continued to alone, the United States has always been around explain why she has become but hardly ever addressed (spent) $6.7 billion in cases an advocate for victims of until recent incidents in the directly related to domestic domestic violence. media such as the Chris violence," Webber said. "Domestic/dating vio- Brown and Rihanna situ- see STATISTICS , page 3 lence is something that ation."

Women's Studies hopes for 'major' changes lenefar de Leon s,,,n

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The Department of Women's Studies hopes one day UCO will convert women's studies into a bachelor's degree at UCO. Currently at UCO, students can only get a minor in Women's Studies. Dr. Sandra Mayfield, director of Women's Studies at UCO hopes one day UCO will offer it as a major. "Many don't understand what Women's Studies is," Mayfield said. "Some believe it is not valuable compared to other courses or a priority. But I hope one

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day it will change." Mayfield said that the Department of Women's Studies encourages students to be involved in all areas of academic discipline, and tries to encourage a different huinan attitude towards women in society. "I think a misconception of Women's Studies is that we are all manhater feminists," Mayfield said. "But that is not the case. Feminism is affirming women's rights in the workforce, education and equality for all." The Department of Women's Studies was established at UCO in 1999,

along with the Association of Women's Studies. The Women Studies Minor is an 18-hour program. Two courses are required to begin the minor process: "Introduction to Women's Studies," taught every spring semester, and "Women and Values," taught every other spring semester. "Introduction to Women's Studies" prepares students for other Women's Studies courses and "Women and Values" evaluates the issues relevant to women's issues according to the Women's Studies home page report. .

see WOMEN , page 4

TUNE INTO NEWSCENTRAL UCO's student-run newscast runs Monday through Thursday on Cox Digital Cable channel 125 in Edmond at 5:00 p.m.


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