The Vista March 29, 2012 by The Vista

Baseball

Congress

UCO baseball will welcome to Lindenwood Lions this weekend for a three game series. Page 7

A member of the United States House of Representatives is asked to leave after refusing to remove his hood on his hooded sweatshirt. Page 3

MARCH 29, 2012 uco360.com twitter.com/uco360

THE VISTA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S student voice since 1903.

State

PERSONHOOD BILL PASSES OK. HOUSE By Trevor Hultner / Staff Writer Abortion has become a major hot-button issue in recent months, with multiple states drafting – and sometimes passing – legislation that critics say restrict women’s right to choose how to manage their own bodies. Similar legislation has rarely been seen in Congress, until this week. On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Commit-

tee voted to pass the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. The vote was 13 for, 10 against. CIANA, or House Rule 2299, was written in 2011 by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.). According to the bill, the author seeks to “prohibit taking minors across State lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions.”

“Whoever knowingly transports a minor across a State line, with the intent that such minor obtain an abortion, and thereby in fact abridges the right of a parent under a law requiring parental involvement in a minor’s abortion decision, in force in the State where the minor resides, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both,” the bill said.

If passed and signed into law, CIANA would also punish the doctors who performed the abortion with up to a year in prison and fines, as well as open them up to potential litigation. This comes on the heels of the passage of the so-called “Personhood Act,” Senate Bill 1433, in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Personhood Act aims to define life

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BOBECK AND THE BRONCHOS START SPRING TRAINING

Head Coach Nick Bobeck runs drills during their first spring practice of 2012 in Wantland Stadium, Tuesday, March 27, 2012. “The biggest thing that we wanted to do was set the tempo of how we want to practice, how we want to get things done and I think our kids did a pretty good job of that,” Bobeck said. The Bronchos will be playing in the MIAA conference next fall. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista

WEATHER TODAY

H 85° L 61°

State

SOME OKLA. LAW OFFICERS WARY OF ‘OPEN CARRY’ BILLS By Zeke Campbell / Associated Press

TOMORROW H 84° L 61°

More weather at www.uco360.com

DID YOU KNOW? The North Face clothing company sued a clothing company called The South Butt.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Legislation that would allow Oklahomans to display their handguns openly has some law enforcement officials on edge, but many people say the public may not see a big difference. Oklahomans with a state-issued permit have been allowed to carry a concealed handgun since 1996, but if the so-called Open Carry legislation is approved it will be the first time since 1971 that permit holders could carry their weapon exposed. Similar bills passed both the House and Senate this month and are working their way through the legislative process. Gov. Mary Fallin has said she supports the concept of allowing Oklahomans to openly carry guns. The issue has a lot of law enforcement officials talking, said Norman McNickle, president of the Oklahoma Association of Police Chiefs. While most support Second Amendment rights in general, some are wary people who openly carry their firearms in public might cause unnecessary distractions that may ultimately interfere with public safety, McNickle said. “There is a universal concern that this will lead to more confrontations with our citizens,” he said. “How does the first arriving officers know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are? It makes their job exponentially harder.” Twenty-nine states have no law that prohibits the

Some law enforcement fear that citizens will be intimidated by permited gun owners openly carrying their firearms. Stock photo.

open carrying of handguns. Of the states that do restrict the practice, 14 allow it as long as a person has a state-issued permit. Oklahoma is one of six states that currently does not allow for the open carrying of firearms, but if the proposed legislation becomes law it would join the

group of 14 that require permits. California banned the practice last year with the exception of its unincorporated areas. In states where Open Carry is allowed, law enforcement officials said it can cause inconveniences for

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OPINION

MARCH 29, 2012

THE VISTA 100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 (405)974-5549 vistauco@gmail.com

The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, semi-weekly during the academic year except exam and holiday periods, and only on Wednesdays during the summer, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained. EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

In a perfect world, where a ‘Broncho Nacho’ exists as a product sold on campus, what ingredients would be on it? MICHELLE HERMAN

JOSEPH ACQUAVIVA

VANDELL MOSLEY

Vocal Music Education - Freshman

Biomedical Engineering - Junior

Interior Design - Sophomore

LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, with a maximum of 250 words, and must include the author’s printed name, title, major, classification and phone number. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters. Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 730345209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to vistauco@gmail.com.

STAFF

Management

Editorial

Cody Bromley, Editor-In-Chief Christie Southern, Managing Editor Brittany Dalton, Copy Editor Bryan Trude, Sports Editor

Ben Luschen, Staff Writer Josh Hutton, Staff Writer Mervyn Chua, Staff Writer Trevor Hultner, Staff Writer Celia Brumfield, Staff Writer

“Add some red peppers to the cheese sauce.”

“You could have multicolored “Doritos, ground beef, Velveeta corn chips, different cheeses, and Rotel.” bacon bits, chipoltle sauce, ham bits.”

AUTUMN MILLER

TANNER YEOMANS

SAM NEU

Interior Design - Senior

Graphic Design - Junior

Political Science, Studio Art - Junior

Graphic Design Michael McMillian

Advertising

Photography

Kylee Turner Brittany Eddins

Garett Fisbeck, Photo Editor Kathleen Wells Cyn Sheng Ling

Circulation

Editorial Comic

Joseph Choi

Evan Oldham

Adviser Mr. Teddy Burch

Editorial

SANTORUMED In case you haven’t heard, Rick Santorum is tired of BS journalism. Who isn’t? However, the former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania may need to clarify his stance on the issue, something his campaign committee has had a lot of practice at. On Sunday, March 25, a New York Times reporter named Jeff Zeleny asked the presidential candidate to clarify a statement he made in which he described current GOP front-runner Mitt Romney as the “worst Republican in the country.” In a video of the event obtained by CBS, the disdain Santorum has for this question is visible in the candidate’s face. After the question was asked, Santorum attempted to explain that the comment was made in context to the issue of “Obamacare,” and went on to criticize the reporter and media members in general for always trying to get a rise out of him. Zeleny certainly got one, whether it was intended or not. “Quit distorting my words,” Santorum went on to say. “If I see it, it’s bulls—! Come on, man! What are you doing?” Since the incident, Santorum has gone on record saying he would gladly run as Mitt Romney’s vice president if he personally does not receive his party’s nomination. Even Mitt Romney seems to be trying to gloss over the event, joking that Santorum would make a good press secretary while making a Tuesday night appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Was Santorum’s comment about Mitt Romney taken out of context or is he merely trying to pin his misspeakings on the press? In fairness to Santorum, the comment did come at a moment in his speech when he was addressing Obamacare and how Mitt Romney helped “lay the foundation” for it while he was the governor of Massachusetts. Still, while making the in-question statement, Santorum never made that distinction. Therefore, the reporter was right in asking the candidate to clarify his statement. One may argue that the reporter could have guessed what Santorum meant based on other things he had mentioned in his speech, but journalists are not in the business of answering their own questions. Everything must be verified. It’s my suspicion that Santorum purposefully overreacted to the question in order to paint all media as a direct and unabashed extension of the Democratic Party. Why would he want to do this? Because it’s a journalist’s job to report the facts, and the fact is that Santorum is losing big time on the campaign trail.

“Blue corn chips, ‘cheese’ sauce, blue and gold M&M’s, peanut butter and bacon.”

“Chips, pepper jack cheese, hot salsa and some extra hot jalapenos.”

“Blackbean chips, drizzle some delicious cheese with peppers and jalapeno bits. Add some freshly diced tomatoes, more jalapenos, onions, sour cream, chives and avocado. And it has to be free.”

By Evan Oldham / Cartoonist

NEWS

MARCH 29, 2012 Geese on the Prawl

Opinion

FLAMING LIPS’ RELEASE JUST ONE OF MANY ON ‘RECORD STORE DAY’

Out of Context By Brittany Dalton Stop Waiting

Oklahoma rock group the Flaming Lips are releasing a collaborative album later next month for record store day. The album has contributors from all over the music spectrum, including Ke$ha and Bon Iver. Photo provided.

By Josh Hutton / Staff Writer On April 21, Oklahoma rock band the Flaming Lips will release a collaborative album for Record Store Day containing blood from their collaborators. Guests on “The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends” include Grammy winner Bon Iver, Nick Cave, Ke$ha, Neon Indian, and Erykah Badu. “What I’m going to try to do – and I’m collecting stuff for it as we speak – is I’m going to try to make a record that has every person’s blood in the record,” Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne said during an interview with MTV Hive. “I don’t have everybody’s blood just yet, but I collected quite a few vials of blood and it’s actually sitting in my refrigerator as we speak…I’m going to try to take that same concept and put little bits of everbody’s blood in the middle of this record. Like a glass specimen thing.” The band intends to sell five or six albums containing blood vials for “interested rich Flaming Lips people.” The rest of the albums will be on multicolored vinyl and blood-free. Record Store Day is a nationwide event where musicians issue special releases to independent record stores across the country for sale on one day. Many of the albums and singles sold on Record Store Day are not available online. On Record Store Day 2011, The Flaming Lips participated by issuing a five-album box set of their first decade with Warner Brothers Music. “They’re a super weird band,” UCO sophomore and music education major Paul Grimes said. “I saw them in concert a couple years ago and I’ll admit they blew my mind, but I don’t know if I like them enough to buy some blood.” In 2011, the Flaming Lips released songs via USB drives inside of edible gummy skulls and gummy fetuses. The band also released a six-hour song entitled “I Found a Star on the Ground” and a 24-hour song entitled “7 Skies H3.” The 24hour song was sold on a hard drive inside of an authentic human skull. “I find their gimmicks amusing, but entirely unnecessary,” Sara White, graduate from UCO’s Academy of Contemporary Music, said. “They have two or three discs that really show off their abilities as musicians, and I think their recent releases

show off their knack for noise, but I wish they would connect the two.” In the Oklahoma City area, patrons interested in Record Store Day can visit two Vintage Stock locations (7407 N. May Ave. in Oklahoma City and 30 E 33rd St. in Edmond). They can also visit one of two Guestroom Records locations – either 3701 N. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City, or 25 S. Oklahoma Ste. 101, located in the same building as the ACM@UCO in Bricktown - and Size Records (8915 N. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City). The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends Side 1: 1. 2012 (featuring Ke$ha and Biz Markie) 2. Ashes In The Air (featuring Bon Iver) 3. Helping The Retarded To Know God (featuring Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros) Side 2: 1. Supermoon Made Me Want To Pee (featuring Prefuse 73) 2. Children Of The Moon (featuring Tame Impala) 3. That Ain’t My Trip (featuring Jim James of My Morning Jacket) 4. You, Man? Human? (featuring Nick Cave) Side 3: 1. I’m Working At NASA On Acid (featuring Lightning Bolt) 2. Do It! (featuring Yoko Ono) 3. Is David Bowie Dying? (featuring Neon Indian) Side 4: 1. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (featuring Erykah Badu) 2. Thunder Drops (featuring New Fumes) 3. I Don’t Want You To Die (featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay)

Pageant

MR. AND MS. UCO INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY By Mervyn Chua / Contributing Writer The Mr. and Miss UCO International Pageant will be held Friday from 7 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. at Constitution Hall of the Nigh University Center. Admission is free. Eight female contestants and seven male contestants, each from different countries, will be competing for a scholarship. The Mr. and Miss UCO International Pageant winners will be awarded $1,000 each. The first and second runners up will receive a $700 and $400 scholarship respectively. There will be an award for a Mr. and Miss Congeniality, where the contestants vote among themselves for the most likable individual. The People’s Choice Award is based on the audience’s votes. The winners will be judged on eloquence and articulation, as the Question and Answer session carries the most points. Contestants also earn points in the talent portion, as well as the traditional wear session of the pageant. This pageant was started by Dr. Ronald Paddock 12 years ago. Paddock is also the founder of the International Office at UCO. Mayu Yasuda, chair of the Mr. and Miss UCO International

Pageant, encourages students to come for the event. “This pageant is part of promoting cultural awareness on campus. It will be a great experience of different showcases of cultures,” Yasuda said. “The audience can learn a bit more about other cultures without even stepping foot in the countries. I am also excited to see the spirit of unity between countries as they cheer on their fellow country representatives.” The current Miss International UCO, Sue Lyn Tan, advises the contestants. “The first thing you should do is to be prepared and confident and most importantly, always smile. Take this as an experience to face crowds and overcome the fear of public speaking,” Tan said. “Find opportunities like that to be rewarding in every way even though you don’t win.” “Through this pageant, l am exposed to more of the campus cultural activities and their significance in providing a better studying abroad experience for the international students,” Alvin Teh, the current Mr. International UCO, said. “I, on behalf of the International Student Council (ISC), look forward to working with the new Mr. International to increase international student involvement in campus activities.”

People on bus stop benches, hunched over to keep the wind out of their face. Girls standing with their cell phone pressed against their ear, hoping against hope no one will call them in the middle of their pretending to talk. If the Mayans happen to have gotten lucky – although not lucky enough to still be top civilization, unfortunately - and the world is ending in December, we’re in some trouble. In 2012 I’ve seen too many tweets hashtagged #yolo, usually in the context of “I got soooo wasted last night. You only live once!” Except that these are the same people who spend all their time wasting this life they only get one of. We’re sitting on our hands and waiting for something or someone to come along and save us. We throw up our hands and say we need help changing a tire, or raising a grade in chemistry class, or we need to make our relationship work now. Except that we’re looking for all the answers in all the wrong places. Why are you waiting for someone else to save you, when you should be saving yourself? In all fairness, what I’m telling you goes back centuries, to the time when Buddha proclaimed, “Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except yourself.” I’m pretty sure he didn’t make a bunch of exceptions for your girlfriend-of-the-week, your local Starbucks, or even your iPhone. It’s like we’re playing foster parent to love and acceptance, but pouring all of ourselves into something else, to watch wide-eyed and bewildered when it leaves us. Some of us put our faith in a higher being, while the rest of us crumble when deprived of our nicotine fix. If you don’t believe me, take a quick stroll across campus. You see couples so entwined you aren’t sure where one ends and the other begins. You see people squinting at phone touchscreens about three inches from their face, or hogging a screen in the computer lab, only to refresh their Facebook profiles every five seconds. We wait for someone to solve our problems. We’re always waiting. “When I meet the right person, I’ll…” Finally be happy with myself. “When I get that promotion, I’ll…” Finally be a house. Finally be happy. We only live once, but are we really living? And if you aren’t, what are you waiting on? Better hedge your bets and start living your life the way you want, not the way someone else comes along to guide you toward. The President can’t live your life for you, your significant other can’t, and the cashier at your favorite Mexican restaurant certainly can’t. The cashier at my favorite Mexican restaurant doesn’t even speak the same language. So stop waiting. Nobody is, or ever will be, coming to “save” you. Save yourself.

Comment on this column on UCO360.com Follow Brittany on Twitter @lttlbrd

NEWS

MARCH 29, 2012

Trayvon Martin

LAWMAKER CHASTISED FOR EATING GOOD ON CAMPUS WEARING HOODIE IN HOUSE

This handout frame grab from video, provided by House Television shows Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., wearing a a hoodie, speaking on the floor of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Rush donned a hoodie during a speech on the House floor deploring the killing of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, receiving a reprimand for violating rules on wearing hats in the House chamber. (AP Photo/House Television)

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. Bobby Rush has donned a hoodie during a speech on the House floor deploring the killing of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, receiving a reprimand for violating rules on wearing hats in the House chamber. The Illinois Democrat spoke out against racial profiling and, as he removed his suit coat and pulled the hood on the sweatshirt

he was wearing underneath over his head, said that “just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum.” Rush was interrupted by the presiding officer, Mississippi Republican Gregg Harper, who reminded him that the wearing of hats was not allowed and “members need to remove their hoods or leave the floor.” On Tuesday the 17-year-old Martin’s parents spoke on Capitol Hill at a Democraticsponsored panel on racial profiling.

Continued from page 1

PERSONHOOD at beginning at conception. The author of SB 1433, Sen. Brian Crain of Tulsa, has said that the bill is simply a symbolic measure, and would not ban contraceptives. Critics of the legislation, like Oklahomans Against the Personhood Act, say the bill paves the way for more restrictive legislation in the future. This includes House Joint Resolution 1087, which would put a measure on the November ballot banning contraception outright. Oklahomans Against the Personhood Act member Ashley Skinnell, of Oklahoma City, responded to the news of the act’s passage in the House, and offered her condolences to pro-choice people across the state.

“I can’t help but get emotional when I listen to the recording released of today’s meeting of the Public Health Committee,” Skinnell said. “My legislators have undermined the control I have over my own body, and to the Oklahomans who feel the same way – I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry that your voice was not heard by those we put in office to protect us. I’m sorry you’ve been failed,” she added. “Our fight doesn’t end here; it cannot end until the rights of all Oklahomans are protected, until our bodies are no longer battlegrounds.” The next step for the Personhood Act is Gov. Mary Fallin’s office, where she will either sign it into law or veto it. There will be a “Unite Against the War on Women” march on April 28.

Continued from page 1

OPEN CARRY police officers and the gun holder, but that most people don’t openly carry guns even though they are allowed to do so. Sgt. Pete Simpson, a spokesman for the police department in Portland, Ore., said residents there are also allowed to carry a handgun openly, but that it’s not something people tend to do. “It can create 911 calls that maybe aren’t necessary and take police resources to go check out somebody that is legally carrying,” he said. “As a police agency we can’t ignore somebody calling saying there’s someone with a gun. We can’t assume that they’re legal.” If the open carry legislation is approved in Oklahoma, there would still be many places one could not bring a gun. Government buildings, schools, and many businesses don’t allow weapons on their property. Most states that surround Oklahoma allow for Open Carry, with the exception of Arkansas and Texas. A similar bill approved by Oklahoma legislators in 2010 was vetoed by then-Gov. Brad Henry. Proponents of the legislation say it’s about asserting citizen rights and allowing Oklahomans to more actively defend themselves. Seeing folks with their firearms displayed openly could cause a criminal to think twice about committing a violent crime, said Tim Gillespie, director of the Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association. “We live in a dangerous world,” he said. “Open up the newspaper on any given day and there’s a report of car jackings or somebody coming into your home or whatever. Our membership wants to have the ability to defend themselves in case they’re ever confronted with that situation.” It’s a belief shared by Rep. Steve Martin, RBartlesville, the principle author of the House

legislation. Concerns of the indistinguishable silhouette walking bowlegged down the street, hands at his holster and ready to draw are fantasies, he said. “That’s what they do in ‘Gunsmoke,’ and ‘Have Gun – Will Travel’ and even shows that are newer than that,” he said. “It’s not going to be like that. It’s going to be more like you’re going to look over and someone is putting gasoline in his tank, and he happens to have a pistol in a holster on his belt as he’s doing it.” Rep. Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo, who voted against the legislation, said people who openly carry guns may be putting themselves at risk when they enter a place with dangerous people. “There may be a bad guy in there and that gives them an opportunity to take that weapon from you,” he said. McNickle said trained police officers are killed on the job each year by their own weapon. “You put a weapon on your hip, exposed, whether you’re a police officer or you’re a legally armed citizen, it makes you a target if something goes down, if something goes wrong,” he said. Jim Maisano, deputy chief for the Norman Police Department, said with updated training he believes law enforcement agencies will be able to handle Open Carry. It’s how the law worked when he started at the department 28 years ago, he said, and other than possibly making some citizens nervous it should not significantly impact police operations. Criminals won’t be the type to carry their handguns openly anyhow, he said. “These are not people that usually go out and get their concealed carry license and follow the legislation,” he said. “They acquire a gun by some other means and commit the crime that they’re going to do with that weapon.”

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NEWS

MARCH 29, 2012

Health

OKLAHOMA’S POOR HEALTH INDICATORS A RESULT OF ‘FOOD DESERTS’ AND OTHER UNHEALTHY HABITS Editors Note: The following article is a continuation of “The Race For Last Place,” a layout in the March 1 issue of the Vista displaying a number the state of Oklahoma’s health rankings. By Adam Holt / Contributing Writer According to America’s Health Rankings, a website who monitors the health of the United States, the state of Oklahoma is living an unhealthy lifestyle. From cancer, to violent crime and many categories in between, the state ranks near the bottom of the rankings. Two areas where our state is having problems are smoking and the attainability of food for certain parts of the population. Though Oklahomans are making strides in fight against smoking, they do so slowly, especially compared to the rest of the U.S. Compared to 17.3 percent of Americans nationwide, 23.7 percent of Oklahomans smoke. It is not unusual for states that have tobacco as a cash crop to have high smoking rates. Oklahoma is not a tobacco state, which makes the rank of 48th in the nation more eye-opening. How does this happen? Accord-

ing to Dr. Sunshine Cowan, assistant professor in the Community Health Program, part of the blame is due to tobacco lobbyists. In 1987 and 1994, lobbyists were successful in getting special “preemption” clauses into Oklahoma Tobacco laws. These laws give power of when and where smoking is prohibited to the state government, not the municipalities. “This means no city can make a smoking law stricter than state law,” said Cowan. For example, if Edmond wanted stricter smoking policies in restaurants, it could not be stricter than what the state of Oklahoma has on the books. Therefore weak state law may help produce more smokers as well as cause more secondhand smoke. There are only two states in the Union that have these laws. The other state is Tennessee. There is legislation as we speak being heard to change these laws. House Bill 2267, if passed, will give power back to municipalities to control their public smoking policies. Another area where Oklahoma is unhealthy is in food. We all know about the obesity problems of the

Oklahoma and the U.S., where our state’s rate hasleaped from 19.7 percent to 31.3 percent of the population, but there is also the dilemma of “food deserts.” According to Cowan, food deserts are usually areas in lower socialeconomical climates, where large, quality grocery stores are not easily accessible. One reason for these “deserts” is a lack of transportation, both personal vehicles and public transportation. This leaves the residents of these areas usually doing their grocery shopping at convenience stores. Food found at convenience stores is often low quality and very overpriced. The other option is fast food, an option Cowan isn’t too keen on. “It may be cheap now, but it will cost you in the long run,” she said. Cowan hopes to change our state’s woes. One reason she believes we rank at the bottom of so many categories is that we think about our own health situation, and not that of our neighbors. Awareness is obviously a key to our state improving. Cowan makes a great point when it comes to some of our pri-

orities. “If we had these rankings in Sooner football, people would be up in arms,” she said. In the Community Health program, Cowan’s goal is to educate her students to be able to improve the quality of life of residents in troubled areas. She wants her students to know not only how to improve a persona’s health, but of that of an environment as well. Cowan’s students are currently working on a project here in Edmond. The “Gateway of Edmond” apartments are considered a food desert. Some residents of the complex are in Section 8 housing and do not have money for transportation. Also, being stuck in a “no man’s land” of public transportation, where neither Edmond nor Oklahoma City will serve them, compounds the problem. The apartments are found at 14140 N. Broadway Extension. The closest grocery store is the Homeland on 33rd Street. Her students are interviewing residents among other research to find ways to improve the environment of the apartments. “I want them to meet their popu-

lation where they are,” says Cowan. “You have to listen to the population because they are the experts.” On April 22, they will be holding a block party for the apartment complex. They hope to be able to provide health screenings. Homeland Security will provide first-aid items along with items involved in the state’s “Ready Dirt Ready” program. The students will also provide nutritional calendars, along with UCO shirts. The shirts are not a shameless plug for the school, however. Cowan sees them as a way to open the eyes of children to the idea that college can be an option in their lives. Research shows a link between education and health. Cowan hopes the Community Health program continues to grow and help Oklahoma’s health ranking begin an upward trend. “I want to have students who graduate, who go into various roles in Oklahoma, and make a difference,” she says. “There are so many health programs out there who need community members so we can help Oklahoma’s health.”

Higher Ed

IN ILLINOIS, COLLEGE CAN BE A LEGISLATIVE FAVOR By Christopher Wills / Associated Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Politicians love to talk about the importance of education. In Illinois, legislators go a step further and personally award scholarships to state universities — sometimes to friends, donors and political allies. For a century, each Illinois legislator has had the power to hand out a few scholarships every year without regard to students’ needs or qualifications, which fit comfortably in the state’s tradition of favors for people with connections. In recent years, a state lawmaker helped a political backer’s four children with $94,000 worth of tuition waivers. Another gave a scholarship to the son of a Chicago alderman. Federal investigators are also looking into cases of recipients with suspicious addresses. Now, after the failure of repeated efforts to end the $13.5 million-a-year program, opponents are making a new push to eliminate the waivers as Illinois officials try again to clean up the state’s image after two consecutive governors wound up in prison. The Illinois House voted last week to get rid of the freebie program; the big question is whether Senate Democrats will allow a vote on what Gov. Pat Quinn calls “political scholarships.” Supporters insist the scholarships are a way to help poor but promising students. “I just think it’s a nice thing we’re doing. I really do,” said Rep. Monique Davis, a Democrat from Chicago. “Look, there was so-called corruption or whatever in the governor’s race,

but we still have a governor’s office. ... When we start abolishing everything where we find some misdeeds, we might have to close up down here.” Critics contend that if Illinois lawmakers want to help the state’s education system, they should support programs that provide aid to needy students. Or they could set up their own foundations and raise money for scholarships. But picking and choosing which students get a free ride is a bad idea, said Joni Finney, a University of Pennsylvania professor who specializes in college access and affordability. “I think it’s terrible. It is subject to such political corruption,” Finney said. Illinois’ program is one of the few of its kind. Maryland legislators can also award state scholarships, which has led to similar allegations of political deals and favors. Three other states provide for much more limited assistance. The chief sponsor of the bill to abolish the Illinois waivers, Rep. Fred Crespo, said it’s clear some legislators are abusing their power.

“This is not really helping that many students,” said Crespo. “This is just a feel-good kind of thing.” It also continues as the state struggles to finance public education. Tuition at Illinois public universities doubled between 1999 and 2009, according to the Institute for Research on Higher Education. About 150,000 eligible students were denied aid last year because the state ran out of money. The program dates back to 1905. Each of the state’s 177 lawmakers is allowed to award two four-year waivers annually, with the colleges absorbing the cost of educating the lucky students. In 2010, 150 lawmakers awarded a total of more than 1,300 such waivers. Lawmakers generally break them up and award eight one-year waivers annually. For years recipients’ names were kept secret but that changed after journalists uncovered some of the winners and their political connections. The tuition perk comes with one rule: Lawmakers are supposed to award the waivers to students who live in their districts. But that rule is often broken. Last year, a federal grand jury subpoenaed

documents related to waivers awarded by Robert Molaro, a Democratic lawmaker who’s now a lobbyist. The $94,000 in waivers he gave went to the children of a Molaro supporter who may not have lived in the district. And the State Board of Education contacted the FBI when it noticed that five apparently unrelated scholarship recipients had all listed the same address — the home of a campaign aide to Democratic Sen. Martin Sandoval of Cicero. The latest example is the news that state Sen. Annazette Collins, a Chicago Democrat, granted free tuition to five students who mysteriously listed their address as an old Collins family home, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Scholarship supporters like Davis reject the idea of addressing abuses by letting the State Board of Education decide who gets the tuition waivers in each legislator’s district. “I don’t trust them that much. I don’t think they’d choose many black kids,” Davis said. This year Republicans have increased the political pressure on the program. All Republicans in the Senate and most in the House have stopped awarding scholarships. Democratic Senate President John Cullerton said Tuesday the issue will get a Senate vote “some time.” He supports keeping the program but with restrictions, such as a ban on giving them to children of campaign donors. Crespo said keeping the program just perpetuates Illinois’ reputation for corruption and favoritism.

SPRING COMES TO CAMPUS

A redbud tree on the UCO campus, Monday, March 26, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista

Garrett Cox, of the Physical Plant, scrapes moss off of a fountain in Broncho Lake, Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista

CLASSIFIED

MARCH 29, 2012 CROSSWORDS

EMPLOYMENT

Camelot Child Development Center

Research Volunteers Needed

Researchers at OU Health Sciences Center need healthy volunteers ages 18 to 30 who have a parentwith or without a history of an alcohol or drug problem. Qualified participants will be compensated for their time. Call (405) 456-4303 to learn more about the study and to see if you qualify. Now Hiring The University of Oklahoma is an equal “Now hiring em- opportunity institution. ployees, management, and cashiers. Full and Part-time available with Help Wanted flexible schedules. Fast Lanes Of America, 2220 Best Feet Forward S. Broadway, Edmond in North OKC and in OK. 844-8084.” Yukon now accepting applications for part-time employRiver Oaks ment. 15-20 hrs/wk, Golf Club evenings and Sat. No retail experience necesAre you 21 years or sary. Call 608-0404. older? Need a summer job or desire bartending experience? Help Wanted Come join our family friendly commuPart-time office work. nity at River Oaks Golf Fax Resume to 751Club. We train! Call 1238 or Call Stacey Michael at 834-6588. 752-8819. $8.00 / hour. Flexible schedule. 3 Locations now hiring bus drivers and FT/PT teachers We promote a very positive and fun atmosphere! Please call for specific openings: Edmond-749-2262 Quail-254-5222 Deer Creek- 562-1315

Part-time jobs. Senior Services of Oklahoma is looking for students to fill part-time positions Monday-Friday. We pay $10/hour for energetic phone work. No experience is needed, we will train. Business is located at 1417 N.W. 150th St. in Edmond. Call 879-1888 to set up interview. Ask for Megan Parris.

Now Hiring Warehouse help wanted. Full time and part time. Please apply in person. 1914 E. 2nd, Edmond, OK.

Advertise with The Vista Contact Kylie at 405-974-5913 or email your questions to vistamedia@ yahoo.com for rates.

States that year, but also made her the first “Baby Boomer. Matt Majikas holds a Guinness Book record for playing minia-

21 24

27 34

29 37

38 41

46 49

48 51 57

26 28

50 52

59 63

Across

49. Power pylon

11. Norse god of discord and mischief

1. Green gem

51. Arid

12. All ___

5. “Gladiator” setting

52. Moldovan monetary unit

13. Asian nurse

10. “Guilty,” e.g.

53. “Bingo!”

14. Arab chieftain

56. Rotary engine

15. Serving as or forming a base

RANDOM FACTS Kathleen Casey of Philadelphia was born at 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern time on January 1, 1946. This not only made her the first child born in the United

Part Time Jobs

60. Utter shrill sounds

16. Be itinerant ture golf for 24 hours straight. During that 17. Clean and honest time, he traversed more than 35 miles of putting 19. Creole vegetable green and completed 20. Conformity with 3,035 holes. some aesthetic standard of correctness or propriety

62. Ingredient in skin lotion

67. Assumed name

33. Sacred Hindu writings

70. Plant tissue 71. God with a hammer

24. “Nice!” Down 1. Denims

33. Caesar’s farewell

2. Prenatal test, for short

36. Baby holder

3. Abandon

38. Chinese zodiac animal

4. Ashtabula’s lake 5. Suspension 6. 50 Cent piece

40. Barely beats

7. “C’___ la vie!”

42. Auditory

8. Babe in the woods

43. Audition tapes

9. Bay

45. 100 cents 46. United States Postal Service

10. Noun that denotes a particular thing; usually capitalized

47. Bowls APARTMENTS

For Rent

28. Ferret out

32. Jiffs

23. Syllable naming the fifth note of any musical†scale

39. “Beowulf,” e.g.

27. Next to the best

66. Aims

69. Bringing up the rear

29. Exit

25. Crush

30. Beanery sign

68. “Cast Away” setting

27. Church assembly

22. Gluttons

63. Ball about the size of a fist used in playing tennis

21. Affecting extreme elegance in dress and manner

26. Compete

18. “Don’t go!”

RIDDLE You can draw me, fire me or fill me in. What am I?

CORNER’S APT, You can find the answer in REMODELED next weeks issue. APT, NEW APPLIANCES, GRANITE COUTERTOP 1 BED AVAILABLE FROM $500. 5 MIN TO UCO, CALL JOE @ 405-414-8150 FOR

31. Bypass

34. Little, e.g. 35. Citrus fruit 37. Shade of green 41. Socially awkward or tactless act 44. Draped dress 48. The way we word 50. “One of ___” (Willa Cather novel) 53. Flooded 54. “You there?” 55. Freud contemporary 56. Old Chinese money 57. Arm bone 58. Engine parts 59. Evasive 61. Final notice 64. Bubkes 65. Dundee denial

RANDOM QUOTE Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained. - William Blake

SPORTS

MARCH 29, 2012

Baseball

LINDENDWOOD COMING TO UCO FOR THREE GAME SERIES THIS WEEKEND By Whitt Carter/ Contributing Writer This weekend, Wendell Simmons Field will likely be the busiest spot on the campus of University of Central Oklahoma. The Broncho baseball squad will play host to Lindenwood in a three game set, featuring afternoon games on Friday (3 p.m.), Saturday (1:30 p.m.) and Sunday (12:30 p.m.). Alongside the weekend home stand will be an alumni cookout, which takes place at 1:00 on Saturday. Central Oklahoma Head coach Dax Leone is excited about the home stand this weekend, but more importantly, giving back to the alumni that has build the program. “There is a proud history of success here at UCO and we want to recognize the past players who helped establish that,” said Leone. “Our alumni have done a great job of staying involved and we are working hard to get this program back to where it belongs.” The Bronchos head into the triple-header after getting swept by in state rival East Central this past weekend. Nonetheless, UCO (15-12) hasn’t been short of hitting this year. Offensively, the Bronchos have been tremendous. The Bronchos score just over eight runs per game, good enough for eighth in the nation. Leone’s ball club also ranks in the top ten in three other categories including doubles, slugging percentage and home runs. The offensive-minded Bronchos have blasted 36 home runs through the first half of 2012, after totaling 38 in all of 2011. “These guys understand how to handle the bay very well,” said Leone about his team’s success at bat, during the first part of the season. “We want to be very aggressive on offense at the plate, on the bases and in the bunting game.” Individually, Austin Rycroft has had a phenomenal opening half of 2012. The senior from Edmond ranks second in Division II with 12 home runs and third in RBI, driving in 40 thus far. Rycroft leads the nation in total bases (94) and is fifth in slug-

Junior Pitcher Alex Coplon delivers earlier this season. Photo provided.

ging percentage (0.913). Junior J.P. Maples and senior Kevin Blue have also continued their hot starts. Maples is second in the country in doubles (16) and tenth in batting average (.463). Blue is in the top thirty in both batting average (.426) and hits (46). Junior pitcher/DH Edgar Lopez has been rock solid for the Bronchos on the mound through the first part of the season; ranking

sixth in the country in wins (6) and tenth in games started (8). Lindenwood (13-12) will travel to Edmond on the coattails of playing quality baseball. The Lions have won seven of their last ten and opposite UCO, have used pitching and defense as a recipe for victory. Led by aces Ryan Griffin and Brian Hrubry, the Lions have only allowed 11 runs in their past seven wins.

However, Lindenwood has struggled away from home. The Lions have yet to win a road game in 2012 and stand at 0-7 going into the weekend. After the weekend series with Lindenwood, the Bronchos will play one more at home, hosting St. Gregory’s next Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

UCO Broncho Baseball Remaining 2012 Home Schedule 4/3 Saint Gregory’s University

2:30 p.m.

4/17 Northeastern Univ. 2:00 p.m.

4/14 Austin College (Doubleheader) 1:00 p.m.

4/21 Oklahoma Christian 1:30 p.m.

Sports Opinion

VISTA SPORTS PREDICTIONS: NBA WEEK 14 The picks return after Spring Break and Managing Editor Christie Southern remains in the lead, a mere two games ahead of UCentral’s Terry Fox. Sports Editor Bryan Trude has been impressive as of late, winning the last two weeks.

NBA Week 11

Bryan Trude Vista Sports Editor

Christie Southern Vista Managing Editor

Garett Fisbeck Vista Photo Editor

Chris Brannick Vista Sports Writer

Terry Fox UCentral’s “The Huddle”

Courtney Landsberger UCentral’s “The Huddle”

“The Coin” 1987 Quarter Dollar

Thunder @ Lakers

Thunder

Knicks @ Hawks

Hawks

Knicks

Hawks

Knicks

Mavericks @ Magic

Mavericks

Magic

Mavericks

Magic

Mavericks

Magic

Grizzlies @ Rockets

Grizzlies

Celtics @ Wolves

Celtics

Wolves

Blazers @ Clippers

Blazers

Clippers

Blazers

Pacers @ Spurs

Spurs

Pacers

Bulls @ Thunder

Thunder

Bulls

Thunder

Heat @ Celtics

Heat

Hornets @ Spurs

Spurs

Hornets

Spurs

Clippers @ Mavericks

Mavericks

Clippers

Mavericks

Clippers

Wolves

Kings

Wolves

8-4

7-5

5-7

6-6

7-5

5-7

65-43

72-36

66-42

63-45

70-38

67-41

43-65

Wolves @ Kings Last Week’s Picks (W-L) Season Picks (W-L)

SPORTS

MARCH 29, 2012 Tennis

Opinion

AT THE BUZZER TENNIS RETURNS HOME TODAY; WILL HONOR THREE SENIORS By Bryan Trude

Vista Sports Editor

DETROIT DOMINANCE ONE TOUGH PILL Recently, without much ado or fanfare, the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings added yet another notch to their playoff belt, qualifying for the postseason for the 21st straight year. Now, as a fan of the Colorado Avalanche, this fills me with the rage of a thousand burning suns – the rivalry between the two teams has probably ruined more than its share of ill-fated marriages – but I have to tip my hat to those bastards. It pains me to do so, but I have to admit that the Red Wings are one of the most dominant franchises in professional hockey. The last time this team missed the playoffs, I was playing coach pitch Little League at Geilenkirchen Air Force Base in Germany, and a great number of my readers and classmates were not born yet. The Wings certainly have the hardware to show for their run, holding the most Stanley Cup victories amongst NHL teams in the United States (11), good for the third-highest total if you factor in Canada. However, the streak also begs the question: if one team has been dominant like this since the days when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were guys in rubber suits in a rock band, what does that do for parity in the league? The NHL has never truly recovered from their last lockout, when they lost most of their best TV deals and have largely been relegated to premium cable channels like Versus. To be fair, just because Detroit makes the playoffs doesn’t mean they go anywhere. Traditionally, the team has been one of the oldest in the league and has had problems lately going the distance without fizzling out and succumbing to younger, hungrier squads. However, they don’t need to be spring chickens to intimidate others; they just need that red flying wheel on their chests. Before the “Dead Wings” era from the late 60s to the early 80s, Detroit had only missed the playoffs four times stretching back to 1933, back before San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge was a thing. When you have that kind of record at your backs, the stars gravitate towards you like a black hole. If I ask a random person to name three famous hockey players off the top of their heads, I’d bet money at least one of them would be a Red Wing. Even as I type this, the first three names I think of are Wayne Gretzky, the Michael Jordan of the sport; followed by Sydney Crosby, one of the best active players when he isn’t sidelined with concussions. The third? Gordie Howe, a Red Wing who played for the team for around two and a half decades. I think of a Red Wing before I think of Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy, Adam Foote or any of the other famous Avalanche stars, much to my shame and ignominy. Please, Red Wings, lay off the playoffs and get out of my head.

Junior Anto Rossini in a match earlier this season. Photo provided.

By Stuart Dickison / Contributing Writer The UCO Women’s Tennis team returns home Thursday for a match against Midwestern State University. At 8-5 on the season, UCO has won six of its last seven matches. The Bronchos return from a trip to New Orleans and Florida, where they went 1-1, including a loss to eighthranked West Florida. Two of their other matches were cancelled due to inclement weather. “We didn’t get to play as many matches as we were scheduled,” head coach Natalya Nikitina-Helvey said. “There were a ton of storms in New Orleans. Overall, though, the trip was good.” In their match against West Florida, the Bronchos fell 8-1. Nikitina-Helvey says she is glad her team got the experience of playing such a high ranked program. “I like to throw stronger teams on our schedule, it helps our game,” NikitinaHelvey said. “It’s good not to get too comfortable as we had a few wins in a row. We are not afraid to lose once in a while as long as we keep moving forward.” Next up: Midwestern State University. The Bronchos lost to Midwestern State last season and look forward to playing

them again. It’s a big match for the Bronchos, as it could determine the fate for the playoff picture. “This is a season defining match for us,” Nikitina-Helvey said. “Since we are independent this year, we have to be perfect.” This match serves as one of two final home matches for the Bronchos, and it is also Senior Day. The Bronchos currently have three seniors on their team who will be recognized: Elizabeta Abramovic, Anna Kochigina and Julia Shviadok. In the latest South Central Region rankings, Abramovic is ranked 10th while Shviadok is 11th. In doubles, the pair ranks seventh. “We are like a family for each other,” Nikitina-Helvey said. “All three girls are international students.” Nikitina-Helvey expects the trio to play hard Thursday. “It’s a home match and senior day, so it will have some special meaning,” Nikitina-Helvey said. “They will play with their hearts, put everything on the line for their team and for the university.” Shviadok has earned All-Lone Stare Conference honors in each of her previous three seasons for doubles and singles. She has a career 98 wins for the Bronchos. Abramovic has 93 career wins, and

also has All-Lone Star Conference honors in doubles each of the past three seasons. Kochigina came to UCO as a transfer student from Russia in January 2011, and has won 46 matches the past two years. The action starts Thursday at 3 p.m. The Bronchos will again play at home next Monday at 10 a.m. against Dallas Baptist before closing out their season with six straight road matches.

UCO Tennis Upcoming Games Dallas Baptist 4/2 (Home) Fort Hays State 4/6 NW Miss. State 4/7 Northeastern 4/10 Saint Edward’s 4/13 Saint Mary’s 4/14