Page 2
Page 3
Page 5
Page 8
Campus Quotes
Health
Poverty Awareness
Football
What do you think about a new study that suggests alcohol is more dangerous than drugs?
Studies suggest height linked to health.
Shack-a-thon raises two-thirds of Breakfast on Boulevard’s monthly budget.
UCO lost 31-33 to Texas A&M University-Commerce.
uco360.com twitter.com/uco360
THE VISTA
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S student voice since 1903.
STUDENT DIES IN CAR CRASH
NOV. 2, 2010
Beelzebub
By Cody Bromley / Staff Writer UCO student Reagan Jane Pennington, 25, died Oct. 28, 2010 in an automobile accident. Pennington’s vehicle crossed over the center line and struck a telephone pole at 10:06 p.m. Wednesday evening. Pennington was airlifted to OU Medical Center ,where she died at 12:15 Thursday morning. As of Thursday, there was no known cause for the accident. Pennington was born in Oklahoma City on July 28, 1985. She graduated from Durant High School in 2003, and in 2008, she earned her first bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. While at Southeastern, she also served in the President’s Leadership Class, was a Presidential Honors Scholar, and a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma National Honor Society. Pennington was set to graduate with her bachelor of science in nursing from UCO this December. She was also a member of the Student Nurse Association and Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honors Society of Nursing. Family and friends of Pennington held a candlelight vigil Thursday night in Oklahoma City, but a formal visitation will take place from 5-7p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at Baggerley Funeral Home. Pennington’s funeral will be held Wednesday, Nov. 3 at Acts 2 Methodist Church at 4848 W. Covell Road in Edmond.
WEATHER TODAY
H 66° L 40°
Eddie Harjo shows his necklaces as he enters the Civic Center Music Hall to attend a satanic demonstration by members of the Church of the IV Majesties at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010.
Francis Slobodnik, of America needs Fatima, holds a flag during a protest by Christian groups during a satanic demonstration by members of the Church of the IV Majesties at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010.
SCARE AT HAUNTED HOUSE PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK
Reagan Pennington died after a car accident last week.
When a Satanic organization held a ceremony at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City Oct. 21, there were protesters from a variety of religious groups waiting. Forty-five people attended the event, described as a “Satanic exorcism,” and they were met by as many as 80 members of Roman Catholic, Baptist and other churches from several states picketing and speaking against the gathering. James Hale, one of the leaders of the Church of IV Crown Princes, the group holding the ceremony, told The Oklahoman that they had distributed around 70 tickets for the event. “I think some got deterred by the protesters,” he said. The reaction to a Satanist ceremony being held in Oklahoma is one that Dr. Richard Sneed, a UCO professor whose specialties include religious studies, said is typical to the area. “[The response here] is noisily negative, but I think that was intended by the people doing it,” Sneed said. Sneed, an Episcopalian, said that some locals here in the, “turquoise stud of the silver buckle of the Bible belt,” are especially sensitive to the idea of Satanism. He added that, “If they were in San Francisco, they’d just think they were in a band.” Satanism, founded by second-generation French American Anton LaVey in the 1960s, is a religion that Sneed said is about non-worship. One of its foremost creeds, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of law,” encourages its members to act on their urges. “[Satanists’] issue is religion tells you not to be human,” Sneed said. “Ultimately what these people believe is there is no God, that you are your own god.” With no reason to act piously in this lifetime in anticipation of eternal happiness in the next, Sneed said that Satanists are not dissuaded from embracing human urges like lust, greed or material possession. “I think they wear it as a badge of honor,” Sneed said. Sneed, who has known Satanists in the past, said that outside the ceremonial procedures, they are normal, and “no more likely to eat children than any others are.” But Sneed admitted that, as a religion, he, “doesn’t take [Satanism] too seriously.” Sneed said that ceremonies held by Satanists often garner protesters, and are primarily to get attention. “Controversy generates interest,” Sneed said. “They are just trying to make a name for themselves.” Public disdain is something that Satanist churches have in common with the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., the church known best for its picketing of soldiers’ funerals. Both organizations enjoy tax-exempt benefits as recognized religious institutions. “That’s the other side of the coin,” Sneed said, comparing the two. “Their logic is puzzling… their actions are a bit disturbing.” Sneed also highlighted another common trait that the two organizations’ exhibitions share. “It gets them in the news,” Sneed said.
PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON
By Ryan Costello / Senior Staff Writer
PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON
SATANISTS SUMMON PROTESTS
Elections
REVOLUTION MAY NOT BE REALIZED By Kory Oswald / Editor-In-Chief
TOMORROW H 71° L 43°
More weather at www.uco360.com
DID YOU KNOW? The face of Uncle Sam was modeled after a door-todoor salesman from Canada.
Edmond fire fighters and UCO DPS respond after fire alarms in Murdaugh Hall were set off by smoke from a fog machine. The Student Programming Board was using the fog machine in the basement of Murdaugh Hall for a haunted house that was being held there. to the building. By Garett Fisbeck / Photo Editor
Smoke from a fog machine set off a fire alarm in Murdaugh Hall Thursday at 7:15 p.m. The Student Programming Board was using the fog machine for a haunted house that was held in the Murdaugh Hall basement when smoke made by the machine caused fire alarms in the building to sound. Murdaugh Hall was evacuated as a safety precaution and students were later let back in
“All the labels said that it [the fog machine] was safe for indoors, but it still set off the alarms,” Lacie Larshan, Visual Arts Chair of SPB, said. “It was crazy, because we were all ready to start the haunted house and right when we opened the doors, the fire alarm went off,” Courtney Bass, Public Relations Chair of SPB, said. All use of fog machines for the remainder of the event was canceled.
There may not be a “Republican revolution” in the U.S. Senate, if some predictions hold true in today’s elections. Though a Republican majority is likely according to some analysts, it may not be as easy as some thought for the GOP. The election forecasting class at UCO predicts there will be an even 50-50 split among Republicans and Democrats in the Senate after today. “It’s consistency that is the key if you are trying to use past elections to predict an election from those,” Jones said. The class has been watching 14 states that they consider to be closely contested and have determined that 11 of them will go Republican. However, the indicators for West Virginia, one of the 14, may be too close to call. At press time, the class still predicted a Republican win. Jones and his pupils used two websites as indicators for their forecasts, Real clear politics.com and intrade.com. Real clear politics is a website that monitors and analyzes polls across the country. In trade is an online futures trading website based in Ireland that trades on anything from elections to technology and real estate. The class takes the median number from polls for each race and compares it to the point spread for the same race on in-
Continued on page 4
THE VISTA 100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 (405)974-5549 editorial@uco360.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.
‘‘
OPINION
2
NOV. 2, 2010
‘‘
CAMPUS QUOTES
What do you think about a new study that suggests alcohol is more dangerous than drugs? JASMINE HYPOLITE
NATE JOHNSON
TYLER BUTLER
Junior - Nursing
Junior - Applied Liberal Arts
Junior - Sociology
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 150 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 e-mailed to vistauco@gmail.com.
STAFF
Management
Editorial
Kory Oswald, Editor-In-Chief Samantha Maloy, Copy Editor Chris Wescott, Sports Editor Jenefar De Leon, Managing Editor Garett Fisbeck, Photo Editor
Ryan Costello, Senior Staff Writer Cody Bromley, Staff Writer A.J. Black, Staff Writer Chantal Robbateux, Staff Writer Elizabeth Hillin, Staff Writer Michael Collins, Staff Writer
“I feel like that is very correct, because you have a wider population that uses it. Alcohol is more accessible and can be easily abused.”
“I don’t know that I would agree with that, beause you can see the phsyical effects of how it can be positive if not abused.”
“I think it depends on the culture and how people use it. Some cultures abuse it when others don’t.”
JARRETT WYATE
CHRISTI CAVAZOS
NICK RUTTAN
Sopohmore-Special Ed
Sopohmore - Biology / Forensics
Junior -Kinesiology
Graphic Design Steven Hyde
Photography
Advertising
Kathleen Wells Joseph Moore
Brittany Koster
Circulation Jack Chancey
Adviser Mr. Teddy Burch
Editorial Comic Prakriti Adhikari
Administrative Assistant Tresa Berlemann
Editorial
SEEKING SANITY FROM OUR PRESS By Jon Stewart This was not a rally to ridicule people of faith or people of activism or to look down our noses at the heartland or passionate argument or to suggest that times are not difficult and that we have nothing to fear. They are and we do. But we live now in hard times, not end times. The country’s 24-hour politico, pundit, perpetual panic “conflictinator” did not cause our problems, but its existence makes solving them that much harder. The press could hold its magnifying glass up to our problems bringing them into focus illuminating issues here-to-fore unseen. Or they can use that magnifying glass to light ants on fire and then perhaps host a week of shows on the sudden unexpected dangerous flaming ants epidemic. If we amplify everything we hear nothing. There are terrorists and racists and Stalinists and theocrats but those titles that must be earned…you must have the resume. Not being able to distinguish between real racists and Tea Partiers or real bigots and Juan Williams or Rick Sanchez is an insult not only to those people but to racists themselves who have put in the exhausting effort it takes to hate. The press is our immune system. If it over-reacts to everything we actually get sicker and perhaps Eczema. Because the image of Americans that is reflected back to us by our political and media process is false. If the picture of us were true, of course our inability to solve problems would actually be quite sane and reasonable. We hear every damn day about how fragile our country is, on the brink of catastrophe, torn by polarizing by hate and how it’s a shame that we can’t work together to get things done; the truth is we do; we work together to get things done every damn day. The only place we don’t is [Congress], or on cable TV. But Americans don’t live [at Congress], or on cable TV. Where we live our values and principles form the foundation that sustains us while we get things done. Not the barriers that prevent us from getting things done. Most Americans don’t live their lives solely as Democrats, Republicans, liberals or conservatives. Americans live their lives more as people that are just a little bit late for something they have to do. Often something they do not want to do. But they do it. Impossible things that are only made possible through the little reasonable compromises we all make.
“I would agree, because alcohol puts you into a state of mind that prohibits you from acting in a correct manor.”
“I would agree, because a lot of people abuse alcohol and make stupid decisions like driving and they endanger themselves and others.”
“I disagree, I think the effects of the drugs are more lethal. Alcohol is legal at a certain age, where as drugs are not.”
By Pakriti Adhikari / Cartoonist
NEWS
NOV. 2, 2010
3
Continued From Page 1
SATANIC MESSAGES IN MUSIC?
In the late 1970’s Christian fundamentalist groups claimed that “backmasked” music, or songs played in reverse to reverse to reveal hidden messages, could bypass the conscious mind and be accepted by the subconscious mind. These groups claimed many rock acts at the time were employing backmasking to hypnotize the youth.
The chorus of the popular Queen song, “Another One Bites the Dust” when played backwards purportedly says, “It’s fun to smoke marijuana.”
The Beatles were one of the first musical acts to use backmasking, sparking the rumor that bassist and singer Paul McCartney was dead.
Parody artist Weird Al Yankovic parodied backmasking in his song “Nature Trail to Hell.” When a portion of the song is played backwards, Yankovic can be heard clearly saying, “Satan eats Cheez Wiz.”
The rumors of backmasking extend as recently as to Lady Gaga’s song “Paparazzi.” Backmasking conspiracy theorists believe a portion of the chorus to say, “Evil save us, the stars above, above... we model it on the arts of Lucifer,” when played backwords.
Scan this tag to hear examples of popular songs that have been claimed to have backmasking.
War Correspondent
Health
‘A FRONT ROW SEAT TO HISTORY’
STUDY SUGGESTS HEIGHT LINKED TO HEALTH PHOTO PROVIDED
A report based in Finland this summer found a relationship between a person’s height and health. By Cody Bromley / Staff Writer
tile,” Rider said. In a report released this summer, researchers in Finland found correlations between height and heart problems. The researchers focused their efforts on 52 papers with data on height and heart problems in 3 million male and female patients spanning the globe. They found that the shortest people of any one population were 1.5 times more likely to develop heart problems than their taller counterparts. For the purposes of this study, short people were defined as those shorter than 5’3”, and those considered tall were at least 5’9”. Despite the current research showing a link between height and heart ailments, the individuals taking part in the study had lifestyle
PHOTO PROVIDED
The question “How are you doing?” may have more to do with the question, “How tall are you?” than previously thought. Up until now, Americans had been “head and shoulders” above the rest of the world. During the Revolutionary War, Americans were on average, two inches taller due to their good rural living compared to England’s harsh industrialized cities. Now Western Europe is looking down on the rest of the world from their towering stature. Heading up the charge for tallest and Mike Boettcher, a war correspondent for NBC, ABC, and CNN for more than 30 years, healthiest is the Netherlands. Their men tower shared stories from his work in war zones worldwide October 26. at an average height of 6’1”, and women 5’8”. The Dutch take their height so seriously sented students with several elements that he By Jessica Bruha / Contributing Writer and his son use in order to put together web “I woke up blown against a wall, got on packages for ABC News, including audio and Researchers focused their efforts on 52 papers with data on height and my knees [and was] blown against the wall video clips, as well as still pictures. heart problems in three million male and female patients spanning the again,” Mike Boettcher, foreign correspondent He explained that still images are often very globe. They found that the shortest people of any one population were for ABC News, said as he told a story about important for video packages because they one of his experiences while covering the war. can provide more of an impact. 1.5 times more likely to develop heart problems than their taller counterBoettcher spoke to UCO students on Oct. “We shoot [video], it goes off to Pluto… but parts. 26 in the Communications building about his stills stay, they stick with you,” he said. life as a journalist and foreign correspondent. While he may often ask himself why he is that there is a national club for tall people factors that still had a more direct effect on “That’s what I want to do,” Boettcher said still risking his life, he is confident that his job called “Klub Lange Mensen,” which roughly heart health. An example is that those who when he was a teenager, as he watched for- is important to the nation. He said the infor- translates to English as Club Large People. smoke cigarettes are four times more likely to eign correspondents on the front line covering mation is much needed. Boettcher believes The club stands for the rights and interests have heart problems than nonsmokers. Vietnam on television. With his older brother that he owes it to his country and if he does of its tall members and on the website says The researchers point out that while a link fighting the war in Vietnam, he often watched not do it, he does not know who will. it brings light to issues such as accessibility between heart health and height has been coverage of the war, eager to catch a glimpse “You have a front row seat to history,” and clothing. To be admitted to the club, men found, more research will have to be done to of his brother on TV. Boettcher said. “Your words get to stick around have to be 6’2” or taller, and women 5’9” or find what the correlation is exactly. He first began broadcasting in 1969 in his for generations. It’s defining the era you live taller. “Mostly, [height] is just kind of an outlier,” sophomore year of high school working for in. Why would you not want that job?” The people of the Netherlands are not just Rider said. “There are some genetic conditions the school radio station. Years later, Boettcher There may be dangers involved and there taller, they’re also healthier. Earlier this year, that if those folks are very tall, have very long began adding a long list of accomplishments may be another day when he is woken by ex- The Commonwealth Fund, a self-described arms and legs they’ll also have some heart to his resume. plosions blasting him against the wall of his private foundation who works towards a high problems. But that’s not due to the tallness. It’s He received many top awards in journal- room several times, but he believes that his performance health system, ranked how the due to the underlying condition that’s causing ism, he was chief correspondent for CNN job is the best job in the world. United States compares in health care to six the tallness.” foreign investigation, won four Emmy’s, and other peer nations. Overall, the U.S. placed has been embedded with troops in Afghanilast in the rankings while spending nearly stan with his son Carlos Boettcher. On June double what the top-ranked Netherlands 1, 1980, Boettcher did the first live satellite Scan this tag to read a report did. The Dutch do not have a governmentreport for CNN. run healthcare system, but it does require its on CNN about a study that “No one knew what cable news network people to have health care insurance coverage. linked heigth to heart disaease. was back then,” he said. He helped usher in a Dr. Linda Rider, department chair for UCO’s new era of 24-hour live news coverage. nursing department, said that normally health Boettcher advised students to set a broad, and height are not linked. over-arching goal, map out a plan, get the ini“There are some genetic conditions that tial job and pour themselves into that. cause people to be quite tall or quite short The future of journalism was also a topic that also have some health implications,” Ridof discussion. As new media continues to er said. emerge, there has always been the question of In developing children, Rider said that whether or not previous media will cease to height is a role in measuring health as chilexist. While many news outlets may be condren progress through various growth charts cerned, all of the industries, including newsas children develop at a normal pace. papers, TV stations, radio stations and maga“It goes by percentiles. So the 50th percenzines still exist, and will continue to exist he tile is the average child and it goes down from said. there. [Doctors] don’t like to see children be“You either embrace it or you die,” Boettchlow the tenth percentile and there’s really not er said concerning new technology. He pre- Boettcher’s body of work includes Iraq, much you can do being over the 90th percenAfganistan, and the Murrah bombing.
4
NEWS
NOV. 2, 2010
Continued from page 1
ELECTIONS For the governor’s race, the class identified certain counties in Oklahoma that usually vote the way the state votes, an indicator called a bellwether. They selected 13 bellwether counties with a .95 correlation or higher, six of which they will monitor on Election Day to try to predict the percentage of votes for the gubernatorial candidates. As of class time on Saturday, they were still unsure exactly which counties they were going to monitor on Elec-
P H OTO BY K AT H L EEN WEL L S
trade. If both sets of data agree on the outcome, then the class uses that as the indicator for the outcome. However, if the data is inconclusive, then the race considered a tossup. Jones’ last election forecasting class used the same techniques and websites to successfully predict the exact number of electoral votes for both candidates in the 2008 Presidential Election. “Real Clear politics is a website that compiles polling data from several different polling services and they report the results as a difference one way or another, like 2+ for the Democrats or 4+ for the Republicans,” Jason Pedraza, a graduate political science student, said. “Intrade is basically online betting.” The class selected the 14 states for their predictions on Sept. 24, and analyzed the data until this past weekend, when they met on Saturday and Sunday to make their final predictions. In the Sunday edition of The New York Times, the paper said that the Democrats had 46 “solid and con-
tion Day. “This is kind of a short-run forecast approach. We are predicting the state vote maybe with two or three hours lead time,” Jones said. Jones started the election forecasting class in 1994, and only offers it during election years.
Dr. Randall Jones, a professor of political science, explains the point system for the Election Forecasting Class. The class predicts an even 50-50 split for democratic and republican seats after this election.
tinuing” seats, while the Republicans will retain 35, leaving 19 seats in play, five of which could go either way. Ten seats are trending to Republican wins and four are leaning toward the Democratic candidate. The five tossup states are Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Washington. Over the weekend, President Obama campaigned
in Pennsylvania and Illinois, as well as Connecticut and Ohio, in an attempt to bolster a Democratic win. “The class is predicting a 50/50 split in the Senate,” Jones said. The class will also be looking at the Oklahoma Governor’s race, though not to forecast the winner, because most analysts believe that Republican Mary Fallin will win.
Education
Homecoming
The ‘Urban Teacher Preperation Academy’ is the fruit of the shared efforts of UCO and Oklahoma Public Schools. By Emily Davis / Contributing Writer This past year, UCO began a partnership with Oklahoma City Public Schools to give future teachers the opportunity to student teach in urban schools with the Urban Teacher Preparation Academy. “The Urban Teacher Preparation Academy is a focused preparation for candidates in our teacher ed program who have a passion to teach in urban schools, Associate Dean of Education and Professional Studies Dr. Bill Pink said. Student teaching typically consists of students being a teaching assistant for one semester, but with this new program, the academy allows student teachers to get an entire school year’s experience. “During that year, they are getting quite a bit of experience…they see what start up looks like as well as the first day of school looks like…for us that’s invaluable,” Pink said. While in every job, there are good and bad experiences, Jessica Martinez, who is one of the student teachers at Capitol Hill High School, said that the students are what she enjoys the most. “You do not realize how much your teachers truly do care and worry about you until you have a class of your own,” Martinez said. “I think about these kids constantly and what I can do to help them. It makes me more appreciative of the influential teachers that I had growing up and the time they may have spent worrying about me.” This past year, nine students were selected to participate in the program. Students had to go through an application and interview process to be chosen and this takes place in the fall semester, Pink said. In only the first year of the program, some changes are already being made for the second year of students who enter the academy. “We’re adding a community-based organizational element, where those students who are selected this fall…will also do about 15-20 hour practicum in a community organization somewhere in the community of the school they’re going to be in,” Pink said. While getting to know the community they will be working in, students will also get to know the people of that community. “Hopefully what this will do also is…afford them possibly the opportunity to see kids they may in fact see the following year,” Pink said. The three schools that students are teaching at are, Linwood Elementary, Taft Middle School and Capital Hill High School all in Oklahoma City. “One of the major keys (in selecting those schools) was the leadership at those buildings.
We feel that those three principals are very visionary, and they get what we’re trying to do,” Pink said. While participants are teaching in this program they are also learning as well. “With our student teachers, I’ve seen a level of reality that they’ve realized what an urban setting is all about, that challenges that they are seeing,” Pink said. “Kids may come to school, and then be gone for weeks, just disappear, for whatever reason. Kids who have incredible challenges outside school.” One reason urban schools were chosen for this project was because of a need that Pink saw. “I see a need, and not just here in OKC, there’s a need all across the country, how urban schools, over time have been seen to not have as much resource or attention as they need to have, he said. There’s an achievement gap that we note in education…between those who have, and those who have not…in order to try and bridge and close that achievement gap we got to do some things to address those students.” The academy is helping future teachers learn to adapt to the settings that an urban school brings. “This experience has taught me that sometimes the urban setting can get a bad reputation, but the students are exceptional, Martinez said. Teaching in an urban setting has taught me that all students need love and support no matter where they go to school. It is our duty as their teachers to provide that for them. It has taught me that even though I am a teacher, I still have so much to learn.” While these schools are not better or worse than other schools, Pink pointed out that they are different. “Typically your urban setting is a little different because some of the families, some of your children may have different challenges than others, he said. One of the main differences of those challenges exists…in English language learners. Oklahoma City public schools are 45 percent Hispanic…that’s huge.” For a part of that population, English is not their first language, Pink said. While these schools are different as mentioned by Pink, they are not in need of saving. “We are not in the business of rescuing Oklahoma City Public Schools, it doesn’t need rescue…every district that I know of can use some help here and there. We’re in the business of better preparing our students for urban settings, but with the partnership… we are preparing our students for Oklahoma City,” Pink said.
P H OTO BY K AT H L EEN WEL L S
WINDOW STILL OPEN FOR PARTNERSHIP PREPARES PROSPECTIVE PROFESSORS 2010 HOMECOMING CLEANUP
On Monday, a student walks past decorated windows outside Buddy’s that were decorated for Homecoming. Kay Robinson of Campus Activities and Events said that a full cleanup could take a month.
By Cody Bromley / Staff Writer UCO’s 2010 “Broncho Up” Homecoming festivities ended over three weeks ago, but the cleanup is ongoing. Students decorated windows all over campus as part of homecoming festivities, but some buildings still have painted windows. Chase Pulliam, chair of this year’s homecoming committee, said that the window cleaning operation had been hired out to GCA Services Group, the custodial service UCO employs to do its cleaning. Some buildings have already had their window decorations removed, but others have yet to receive cleaning. “There’s not really a certain deadline,” Pulliam said. In budgeting this year’s homecoming expenses, Pulliam said that the homecoming committee allocated funds for GCA to clean
the windows instead of the students who painted them. “I don’t think that it’s necessary for them to come back and clean the windows,” Pulliam said. Kay Robinson, director of Campus Activities and Events, said that the task of having students clean the windows would have be a challenge of accountability. Pulliam agreed. “It’s kind of hard in the accountability process to make sure these windows do get cleaned,” Pulliam said. “It takes time to go out of their way.” Additionally, Robinson said that the painted windows would needed to be treated with special chemicals in order to remove the paint. While no specific timeline has been promised, Robinson said that the full cleanup of the window decorations could take up to a month.
NEWS
NOV. 2, 2010
w
5
Opinion
Shack-A-Thon
OPINION LACED
STUDENTS RAISE $2,000, HOMELESS AWARENESS
WITH
FACT
PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK
BY
A.J. BLACK We live in the greatest empire the world has ever seen, and as far as I can tell, it is the only country in the universe where consumers still have the God-given right and opportunity to buy happiness for just a buck. In fact, we have it so good that even the homeless have full bellies. Do you know what they call a Big Mac in Paris? Well, no one really cares because the French are mere fools. You may have noticed the dramatic increase in the level of “awareness” on campus and throughout the nation. It seems like every other week and each month of the year is dedicated to one movement or another. With so much awareness being passed around and so many highly lucrative non-profit organizations in the mix, it is a wonder how we still have any problems in the first place.
Michael Cain, a UCO junior and member of Pi Kappa Alpha, sleeps outside of his fraternity’s shack on Mon, Oct. 25. Students raised more than $2,000 for the Breakfast on Boulevard program.
This was the fourth year of the Volunteer and Service Learning Center’s Shack-a-Thon event, and it was the largest Shack-a-Thon this year with 196 people participating and 34 teams. This year’s Shack-a-Thon raised $2,079.35 for Breakfast on Boulevard. Breakfast on Boulevard is a program that has been in operation for about 20 years. They serve breakfast and lunch to low income or needy individuals in the Edmond community. Nathan Box, the Assistant Director of the Volunteer and Service Learning Center, said prior to the VSLC’s involvement, students created this event on their own and organized it, but it was not an official UCO event until the VSLC took it over. Box said they want the students to understand that being in college is a privilege, and that their efforts and hard work should be commended. “[But] at the same time, we want them to understand, that with this knowledge that they are gaining, comes a tremendous amount of responsibility. And that responsibility is, we want them, after they graduate, to understand that responsibility requires them to give of their time, of their effort and their money to those that are less fortunate,” he said. Box added they hope to impart some idea of social change within UCO’s students. “With Shack a-thon, we want our students to understand that there are those, even in the United States of America, even in an affluent city like Edmond, who are impoverished. It is not our goal to ask our students to live in poverty during poverty awareness week; we are trying to simulate poverty, we are not trying to have our students actually live in poverty,” he said. The students still need to do their homework, and they still need to be comfortable to a certain extent. Box said there are some students for whom it is a little too cold at night or are too far out of their comfort zone, but the vast majority of students do see it through until the end. The students started to build their shacks Sunday evening in preparation of being out there Monday, which is a very busy time of the week. This event has always been a four day event since Mondays through Wednesdays are the days when most of UCO’s students are on campus. Last year the students still had electricity, but this year they did not. He explained that last year they had it because the students still need to be able to do their homework, so they asked them this year to charge up their laptops before they came. “Besides the logistical safety concerns, that was another effort to try to more closely simulate poverty; we are not out there to take every necessity away from them. We do want them to still be able to take care of their business,” Box said. He added there was a mixture of student organizations and also groups of
friends who participated in this event. There had to be a team member at the shack at all times, but the VSLC very highly encouraged the students to not miss classes or work, because those types of things come first; they asked the students to build the team in a way that there would always be at least one person at the shack. There are some students who have participated in this event all four years, but they also have new ones coming in. “The individual group that raised the most money this year was a brand new group of students,” Box said. “There are close to 200 students that raised a little over $2,000 dollars. [The average] student raised $10 worth of change. That’s $2,000 that Breakfast on Boulevard does not have to worry about because our students panhandled for change, they slept out in the cold in 40 degree nights. They walked away transformed, and they made a difference in the lives of people they will probably PHOTO BY JOSEPH A. MOOREII
By Chantal Robatteux / Staff Writer
Nathan Box stands where students gathered to participate in the shacka-thon last week. Box is the Assistant Director for Voluteer and Service Learning Center.
never meet, and that to me is the definition of transformative learning,” he said. Box added people sometimes say the students have blow-up mattresses or sheets and things like that in their shack, and that it’s not the same as being homeless. “But these are 18-22 year old kids, who raised $2,000 for Breakfast on Boulevard; they supplied two-thirds of Breakfast on Boulevard’s monthly operating budget, that’s what’s celebrated here,” Box said. He added the VSLC hopes the students walked away transformed from this event and that there is no denying that sleeping outside in the cold in October is difficult. Box said they get phone calls about the event, and there was also an article in the Oklahoman and he did read the comments on the website by the readers. He said the VSLC is not trying to create an absolute impoverished situation. “We are asking them to step out of their comfort zone; raise money for an organization which needs their help, and be open to, what we hope, is a transforming experience,” Box said.
He added he thinks a person would not be hard-pressed to find a student who did not walk away from poverty awareness week or Shack-a-Thon with a different outlook on individuals in poverty. One of the students participating in the Shack-a-Thon event was Michael Hendricks, an Interpersonal Communications major and this was the first year he participated. He participated with the Transfer Leadership Council. Hendricks said, “I saw it last year and I saw people having fun doing it and it looked like it was a very good cause to raise awareness of the homeless population […]. It gives us a glimpse of what they deal with and how they have to live life and that’s what I really liked about it.” Hendricks added that people around here may not have seen it before so they may not be aware of it. He said his organization split it off in shifts, and his shift was Sunday, so he slept the first night in the shack. “Sunday night […] it was kinda weird sleeping in the shack, because number one, there was really no padding underneath you, so you got to really feel like sleeping on the sidewalk, we had sleeping pads, but it was still too thin,” Hendricks explained. He did manage to get some sleep though. “The main issue, for me, was you got to hear all the sounds that Edmond has to offer. I heard like six or seven trains, I heard police cars, I heard people skateboarding, I heard people honking horns; I heard a lot of city sounds and I thought to myself: “man, no wonder the homeless people have a hard time sleeping.” So I was made aware of those things too, that was eye-opening, but I did have fun.” He was the only one who slept in the shack Sunday night since they divided into shifts, but his team mates slept in the shacks the other nights. Hendricks said he helped beg for money Monday and Tuesday. “Begging for money was fun, I held up a sign that said “I’ll sing for money” and then someone asked me to sing and they dropped change in and it was fun. I networked with a lot of people and made a lot of friends, I can’t complain about it, it was fun,” he said. He did have blankets and pillows, but he was worried about being late for class the next morning. “ I had [almost] my whole family be my alarm clock to make sure I got up for class,” Hendricks explained. He said there were students that stopped to talk to him about poverty, but a lot of times students just passed by. “There were a few that did stop to talk about poverty and they did give, […] so I got to see both sides,” Hendricks said. He added this is a great experience, and that it was also a good way to meet lots of friends and just talk to interesting people. “If I were eligible to do it again, I would,” Hendricks said.
In the land of obesity and plenty we are not much different than the most backward third-world country when it comes to solving an issue that deals with social class. In the name of Poverty Awareness Week, several students brazenly exposed themselves to the elements, built improvised shacks that complied with local fire codes, and in true faux hobo form, solicited pedestrians for spare change. The student’s efforts opened my eyes and made me aware of the real and serious issue of social class and poverty in the U.S. There may not be too many human beings without a place to hang their hat in the suburbs of Edmond or near our university, but if you go for a leisurely stroll near the outskirts of downtown it is not an uncommon occurrence to witness the countless immiserated bums shuffling their donated shoes between the twenty or so free meals served in the metro area every single day. It reminded me of what a wise man, who happened to be a martyr and a saint from South America once said, “If I feed the homeless I’m a saint, but if I ask why they are homeless I’m a Communist.” Well, naturally. When someone is in need, it feels good to be able to provide. Even though the poor are all on drugs, immoral, and too lazy to pull themselves up by their own boot straps, there is a certain level of satisfaction one gains by giving someone in need a dollar or two. It not only provides the impoverished with a fish for the day but it also allows the giver to feel like they have made a difference in someone’s life. Most of us identify ourselves as middle class. We work hard our whole life, never give up, and hope that someday our ship will come in. Or, at a minimum that social security will not be bankrupt by the time of our forced retirement or that all of the jobs will not be outsourced to cheaper forms of labour by corporate powers. For the most part, we show up for work on time, we do our job, pay our credit card bills, and if we’re lucky, take a little time to treat ourselves by financing some of the finer things. A recent survey revealed that Americans may rank among the lowest in math and science, as well as quality of life, disparity of wealth, debt, the ratio of incarcerated citizens, and number of homeless, but we overwhelmingly reserve the top spot when it comes to confidence. With such a high threshold for self-esteem, it is not hard to lose sight of the connection between the haves and havenots. It’s been said that the most dangerous person to society is someone with nothing to lose. Our magnanimous and altruistic efforts of throwing a few dollars at the symptoms of poverty and the practice of “out of sight, out of mind” have no doubt contributed to the ongoing and ever increasing problem of the forgotten and trampled souls that roam the streets at night. The true greatness of a nation is reflected in how it treats the lowest strata of society. In the land of obesity and plenty we are not much different than the most backward thirdworld country when it comes to solving, or even accurately addressing an issue that deals with social class. -Light it up, A.J. Black
6
CLASSIFIED
EMPLOYMENT
Server Positions Available
EMPLOYMENT
NOV. 2, 2010 CROSSWORDS
Constr uction Work
Hefner Grill, Hiring all poConstruction hard work, sitions. Apply within. good pay, flexible hours, P/T F/T. No experience necessary but construction experience preferred. 824-8954
Shogun’s Steak House Of Japan
Help Wanted
Hiring for waitstaff, busers, dishwashers, host, bar tender. Student P/T to clean ofApply in person at Northpark fice, home, vacant apts. AfMall (NW 127nd N. May) af- ternoons. Near UCO. Must be ter 5:30 pm. 749-0120 dependable, trustworthy, have positive attitude, do quality work. Call Connie-641-0712.
Camelot CDC Now Hiring for FT/PT
Teachers & bus drivers for our Deercreek location, opening Nov. 1st, jobs starting mid October Apply in person at 24 NW 146th St. in Edmond or call 749-2262
Help Wanted
Edmond Psychologist seeking part-time typist/receptionist. Must have good typing and people skills. Near UCO. Contact: Cindy @ 341-3085. Or apply in person @ 1616 E. 19th St. Suite 103.
SERVICES
Part-time
Edmond answer service operator, type 45 wpm, parttime evening positions available. $11 per hour. call for information 285-4316
Part-Time Jobs
Senior Services of Oklahoma is NOW HIRING students to fill part time positions. Several from 9a.m.-1p.m shifts available for Monday- Friday. We pay $10.00 per hour for energetic phone work educating senior citizens on healthcare issues. 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.
Part-Time Teller
RCB BANK OF EDMOND
GET CONNECTED
Opening at our Edmond branch located at 610 S. Kelly – 30-35 hrs pr wk 12:15 – 6:15 M-F; 7:45 – 12:15 one to two Saturdays per month. Min. 1 yr. previous teller/ and or cash handling exper. required.Good math & communication skills; ability to operate standard office equip. & computers; strong customer service skills. Qualified individuals can send resume to: RCB Bank, Human Resource Dept. P.O. Box 18329, OKC 73154-0329 or e-mail: fpalmer@bankrcb.net or call (405) 463-5951 EOE
The Language Company - Edmond
Conveniently located on the UCO campus, offers English as a second language classes for international students/individuals. NOW FEATURING a specially designed program with: Strong emphasis in listening/ speaking, highly interactive classes, and a new and improved TOEFL program. Enjoy small classes and the campus facilities. Contact us at (405) 341 - 2125 or www. thelanguagecompany.com
ELC English Language Center
Prepares international students for University Programs TOEFL GMAT. Located next to the UCO Plaza 1015 “c” Waterwood Pkwy into@elcok.com and www.ekok.com 348-7602
FUN FACTS
If you are right handed, you will tend to chew your food on your right side. If you are left handed, you will tend to chew your food on your left side. The Titanic was the first ship to use the S.O.w
UCO 360 COM
Across
Down
1. ___ jacket 5. Ponzi scheme, e.g. 9. Carpenter’s groove 13. “The ___ Ranger” 14. “Enigma Variations” composer 16. Final, e.g. 17. Advocate 18. They may have abs of stone 19. ___ carotene 20. Slender woman 22. Kind of plantation 24. Black cat, maybe 26. Fragrant resin 27. Guarantees 30. Even though 33. Noisy social gathering 35. “Come here ___?” 37. Nth degree 38. Novices 41. “Gimme ___!” (start of an Iowa State cheer) 42. Be theatrical 45. Snacks 48. Concealed shooter 51. Native of Kuwait 52. Metal spike with an eye 54. Astronaut’s insignia 55. Of a parish 59. “Fiddler on the Roof” role 62. “___ I care!” 63. “Four Quartets” poet 65. Friable earthy deposit 66. Book part 67. Any “Seinfeld,” now 68. Bit 69. Buddies 70. Blowgun ammo 71. Intelligence
1. Bugs 2. Bright-colored Australasian parrot 3. Person of English descent 4. Stay quiet 5. Undertake, with “out” 6. Coagulate 7. Acquiesce 8. Garam ___ (Indian spice mixture) 9. Formally question 10. Canned 11. Anniversary, e.g. 12. Arab League member 15. Star in Orion 21. Basil, e.g. 23. Early pulpit 25. “Cool!” 27. #1 spot 28. Putdowns 29. Blue hue 31. In the style of Baroque Italy 32. Article of faith 34. “... ___ he drove out of sight” 36. Not yet final, at law 39. Common deciduous tree 40. Bowl over 43. Hints 44. “Beowulf,” e.g. 46. “Shoo!” 47. Baseball has three 49. Aromatic solvent 50. Stirred up 53. Nigerian currency 55. Mollusk appendage 56. Fishing, perhaps 57. 100 dinars 58. Turn dark 60. Suppose 61. “___ for the poor” 64. Atlanta-based station
SUDOKU
OCT 28 ANSWERS CROSSWORD
Advertise with The Vista
TARGETED. FLEXIBLE. EFFECTIVE! Contact us: (405) 974-5918 or vistamedia@yahoo.com
SPORTS
NOV. 2, 2010
7
World Series
By Trey Hunter / Contributing Writer The San Francisco Giants are one win away from winning their first championship since 1954. They defeated the Texas Rangers in game four of the series Sunday night in Arlington, Texas. Madison Bumgarner pitched eight solid innings for the Giants and struck out six as San Francisco won the game 4-0. Pitching has been the key to the Giants success all season long, and it has certainly carried over into the playoffs. Tim Lincecum gave up four earned runs in the first game of the series and that has held as the highest of any starter so far. Matt Cain held the Rangers scoreless over seven innings in game two and Bumgarner did the same Sunday night. The only solid performance by a Ranger so far was turned in by Colby Lewis who held the Giants to just two runs in game three. Lewis’ outing kept the Rangers in the series and helped get the ball in Cliff Lee’s hands one more time. Lee was knocked around by San Francisco in game one as the Giants proved that he is not unhittable. He gave up six earned runs over less than five innings and was shelled for the first time in his postseason career. Texas hopes to see that trend end quickly as they hand him the ball for game five in Texas Mon-
day night. Lee has proved to be one of the greatest postseason pitchers over the past two years with the great playoff run last season as a Philadelphia Philly and the run with the Rangers this season. If Texas has any hope of moving the series back to San Francisco, Cliff Lee better turn in a classic performance. He will be toeing the rubber against the National League’s strikeout king, Tim Lincecum. Lincecum gave up four runs in game one of the series, but it was good enough to help the Giants get a victory. He is one of the best young pitchers in the game and has led the league in strikeouts the past three seasons. The matchup will be tough however, as Lee will do whatever it takes to keep the Rangers in the series. The Rangers must win to force the series to a game six in San Francisco. If they can find a way to keep the series going, Texas can send C.J. Wilson to the mound in game six in hopes of him pitching like he has all season long. If the Giants win it will end the third longest drought by any team in baseball behind the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians and it will give San Francisco fans something to talk about other than steroids.
P H O T O B Y E R I C G AY
THE SAN FRAN SWING
San Francisco Giants fan Jake Frazier of Belmont, Calif. celebrates after the Giants beat Texas Rangers 4-0 in Game 4 of baseball’s World Series Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Sports Q&A
Q&A WITH TATE HARDAKER By Michael Collins / Sports Writer
Really well. Getting to play as a freshman is a big accomplishment to me. And yes, there is a big difference because there is more talent in college and you have to work harder to get to be on the court.
Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career? Definitely my dad. He’s taught me the value of hard work, and got me involved in all different sports which helped me develop as an athlete.
Since your dad is a basketball coach, what made you decide to play volleyball over basketball? My dad’s a scary man, enough said, just kidding. I enjoy playing basketball but the atmosphere of volleyball is more exciting and fun to me.
What is playing on your iPod before games? Probably something country. But I usually have it on shuffle so you never know.
PHOTO BY PHOTO SERVICES
Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A.
How has the season gone for you personally, is there a big difference from high school to college volleyball?
ADVANCE YOUR ACCOUNTING CAREER! Oklahoma City University’s Meinders School of Business now offers a Master of Science in Accounting with a financial leadership or tax track. • Big Four firms, local Fortune 500 companies and government agencies actively recruit OCU MSA students • Graduates are qualified for careers such as CFOs, accounting firm audit or tax partners and senior government accounting positions • All courses are taught by full-time professors or seasoned professionals • Flexible programs accommodate busy adults and all courses are available at night • Generous financial aid packages available for qualified students
OCU’s MSA program provides in-depth training for students to succeed in today’s accounting industry. For more information, visit www.okcu.edu/business or contact Jacci Rodgers at (405) 208-5824 or jrodgers@okcu.edu.
OCU pledges to recruit, select and promote diversity by providing equality of opportunity for all persons. BU55810
Tate Hardaker (21) sets the ball in a game this season. Hardaker is a freshman out of Edmond Santa Fe High School. BU55810UCO.indd 1
10/13/10 4:42 PM
8
SPORTS
NOV. 2, 2010
UCO Football
PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK
UCO COMES UP SHORT
The Texas A&M Commerce quarterback celebrates a touchdown in UCO’s 31-30 loss to the Lions on Saturday. The loss was the third game this year for UCO decided by one point in favor of the opponent. The Bronchos dropped to 2-7 on the season with the loss.
By Michael Collins / Sports Writer The Bronchos were plagued with injuries this past Saturday in what turned out to be their third one-point loss of the season. UCO lost 31-30 to Texas A&M University–Commerce. In all three of the one-point losses, the game was decided by a missed extra point try by place kicker Chris Robbs. “The game wasn’t decided by that one play,” head coach Tracy Holland said in a post-game interview. “There were lots of plays throughout the game we could have made that would have made a difference and we just didn’t do that. It was a tough loss, but I’m proud of the way we hung in there and battled.” This latest loss is just one of a handful of losses that have broken the spirits of the UCO faithful. Though out this season, there have been three constants: Josh Birmingham is a
beast, the defense is sub-par, and no matter what the score is, the Bronchos will find a way to lose a close ball game. With their rising stud quarterback Ethan Sharp out, the Bronchos turned to Landon Greve, the six-foot-two red-shirt freshman quarterback who also doubles as the team’s punter. Greve in his first collegiate start went 16-22 for 177 yards, while throwing a touchdown and an interception. The Bronchos star running back Josh Birmingham was a little bit under the weather, and was held to his lowest rushing total of the season with 61 yards on 19 carries and added two rushing touchdowns. He also added 72 yards receiving on four receptions. Even though he was not at the top of his game, he still showed why he will be a serious weapon for the next few years. Even with the injuries, and their offense not
clicking like they have been all season, the Bronchos still had a chance to send the game to overtime. With just over five minutes to go in the game, the Bronchos went on an epic 99-yard drive. A steady dose of passes and runs helped Greve march his team in position to hand the ball off the Birmingham for the two-yard score. With the score 31-30, Robbs lined up for the tying PAT, Robbs has only missed three PATs this season, and that was one of them. The other two came in the Bronchos only two overtime games. Robbs has actually been a pretty reliable kicker this season; he is 7-10 on field goals, and 36-39. Other than his late game hiccups, he has not been too bad. UCO was held to a season low 260 yards of total offense, while their defense continued to give up the big play in allowing 384 yards. The defense was led again by Tucker Cason
and Turner Troup, who both posted 11 tackles. Creadell Pennon also got in on the action with eight tackles, while also getting a sack and an interception. Those three players have been about the only bright spot on a defense that has allowed 36.3 points per game this year, while also giving up 420 yards a game. This Saturday, the UCO football team will take on Angelo State University at 2:00 p.m. in San Angelo, Texas. With only two games to play, there is not much to play for but pride. Angelo State will be looking to get their fourth win of the season, while the Bronchos are just trying to gain some momentum heading into the off-season.
UCO Hockey
NO. 2 SURVIVES UCO UPSET BID By Chris Wescott / Sports Editor
Something was different between Saturday night’s game and Friday night’s game. UCO outplayed Davenport in spurts, and moved the puck well. “The team just re-grouped and came out hard,” Holmes said. “We forgot what happened (Friday) and did our best.” Holmes believes the Bronchos (3-9-1) are already on the path to fixing the season. “The season, I believe, is already on the turnaround,” Holmes said. “The difference between our first game against (the University of Oklahoma) and being one goal away from beating and tying the No. 4 and No. 2 teams in the nation back-to-back weekends, tells me we are about to shock a lot of teams coming up very soon.” Thiessen agrees with Holmes’ assessment of the situation.
PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK
The University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos hockey team came into last weekend’s series against No. 2 Davenport ranked No. 17 in the nation. They came very close to an upset bid, losing to the Panthers 5-2 on Friday night, but dropping a 4-3 decision on Saturday night at Arctic Edge Arena in Edmond. “You know, it’s always tough losing,” UCO freshman Mackenzie Thiessen said. “But I think we are starting to come together as a team and had a couple of the bounces or a couple posts gone our way, it could have been a completely different weekend. Having close games like we’ve been having, our confidence is starting to grow and we’re starting to realize that we can compete with anyone.” UCO freshman goaltender Nick Holmes
made 46 saves on Saturday night in a losing effort. But the Bronchos dominated the ice at times, and continued to battle back whenever the Panthers jumped out to a lead. The Bronchos could never get the lead however, and No. 2 Davenport escaped with a 4-3 win. “Every loss is hard, but with our schedule, we are finally building the confidence we need to not just compete, but to beat the top ranked team in the nation,” Holmes said. “After the overtime loss to No. 4 Penn State and 4-3 loss to No. 2 Davenport, we know we can play with anyone.” “On Saturday, the Bronchos allowed the Panthers to jump out to a 2-0 lead before battling back to within one. Davenport gained a two-goal lead two more times, but UCO kept coming back. They could never take the lead however, and Davenport got the sweep.
“I think our team is well on our way to turning our season around,” Thiessen said. “At the start of the year we had a couple hard losses to Iowa State and Lindenwood. But we’ve steadily been getting better. With our three wins at the (ACHA) Showcase, our overtime loss to No. 4 Penn State and now a one-goal game with the No. 2 team in the nation. We’re definitely headed in a good direction.” The Bronchos will look to get back on the winning track this weekend, hosting the Missouri State Bears. Missouri State is 7-8 on the season and are Division II members of the American Collegiate Hockey League. The series will take place Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Arctic Edge Arena in Edmond.
duolbe chcek fro
typos
Bucky’s Tip: Hand in Your Writing (to a human) Spellcheck is just the start! Get a real person to proofread your cover letter and resumé.
Get more tips on nailing the interview at
BucktheNorm.com/empowerment Donald Geary (91) tips the puck toward the Davenport net in a 5-2 loss to the No. 2 ranked team on Friday night. UCO bounced back on Saturday, losing a close game 4-3.
financial empowerment for all Powered by Tinker Federal Credit Union Federally insured by NCUA
the norm .com