The Vista Feb. 20, 2003

The Student Voice Since 1903

THEVIsTA

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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2003

Students react to Orange alert status

by Mark Schlachtenhaufen ms@thevistaonline. corn Although the United States remains under Orange status, indicating a high threat of terrorist activity, UCO students appear to be paralleling the results of a poll showing most Americans are feeling no extra anxiety.

More than seven in 10 respondents said they felt no extra stress or anxiety according to the results of a recent ABC News-Washington Post poll. Eight percent said they felt a great deal of extra anxiety.

Almost half of all women questioned

said they worried about being a victim of a terrorist attack while, less than 25 percent of all Men polled felt the same. The poll has an error margin of plus or minus three percentage points and 1,042 adults were questioned.

Lindsie Parks, a UCO student from Woodward, said the change in alert status has not altered her lifestyle. Her family doesn't have an emergency communications plan, but if it came to that, she would give them a call.

UCO students echoed the sentiments of other Americans: the further away from Washington, the less the worry.

"I'm not worried that something will

happen here in Oklahoma," Parks said.

John Elerick, a junior biology major who served seven years in the U.S. Navy, said life has been business as usual. He has been to the Middle East. In 1988 and 1989 he had two tours in the Persian Gulf region.

Elerick said he was certain the United States would be taking military action against Iraq and just as sure that there would be no attack by foreign terrorists on U.S. soil. The odds of an attack occurring increase as complacency increases, he said.

"We've got the best people in the right places," Elerick said.

Cedric Brown, physical education sophomore, agreed with Elerick that the United States has the right people in the right places. He said he just takes all of the talk about terrorism and the alert into consideration.

Terrianda Norwood, business administration junior, said she isn't too worried about an attack yet. She also knew the alert level was at Orange level. But Norwood said she didn't have a communication plan with her family other than to call.

"I think the government really is more about talk than anything," Norwood said.

Oklahoma Blood Institute calls out for more donors

Baseball overcame Arkansas Tech University 5-3 and rose to No. 8 in NCAA Division 11 rankings.

- Page 7

by Mark Schlachtenhaufen ms@thevistaonline.com As the United States prepares for a possible war with Iraq, Americans are being asked to give the gift of life: blood.

Busy schedules, illness and cool weather and increased military demand have contributed to a dip in Oklahoma's blood supply, said Sherie Cantrell, public relations manager for the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI).

Cantrell encouraged members of the UCO community to take the time to donate blood.

"It's certainly a time for people to be conscious of what's happening in our country," Cantrell said. "The need for blood is always there. All it takes is a few minutes of time to donate blood and help save a life."

Earlier this month, Fort Sill in Lawton asked the OBI to contribute 300 units of blood per month, Cantrell said. It is not unusual for the military to receive blood from civilian sources during a buildup for war.

Concerning fears of contracting an infectious disease during the donation process, Cantrell said there is nothing to fear.

"There is absolutely no chance of getting HIV," she said.

The OBI's well-trained staff disposes of every item used, including the needle, after each donation, Cantrell said.

The total time to complete the process, from entering to exiting, takes about 45 minutes, she said. The needle is in the arm for five to 10 of those minutes.

Tara Scott, the OBI's training and staff development manager, works on blood drives with numerous local businesses and schools, including UCO. "People have no idea how quick of a process it is," Scott said. "If people could only see how much of a difference they can make in

see Blood supply page 4

Photo by Juli Barker

Karen Henderson, a staff nurse and Alice Bennett, UCO Health Center receptionist, box up supplies in preparation for their move to the Wellness Center.

Student Health Center readies for new home

by Jim Epperson je@thevistaonline.com The Student Health Center will be closed from Feb. 28 to March 3 during its move to the Wellness Center, said Labetta Wallenmeyer, director of the Student Health Center.

Wallenmeyer said since the Health Center is not an emergency clinic they are allowed to

close for three days.

If students have something that is urgent, they should go to the emergency room or a medical clinic in Edmond.

"Ordinarily students can wait until Monday," she said.

The new Student Health Center is much larger than the current Health Center which was designed to be an infirmary when it was built, she said.

"It was designed to keep students like they're hospitalized."

She said the new facility is much more organized and has more privacy For example, the waiting room is closed off from the rest of the clinic. At the current Health Center, privacy is an issue because the waiting room

see Health page 4

Renewable energy importance surges in light of high oil prices

Capitol Colors

by Caroline Duke cd@thevistaonline.com

Photo by Justin Avera

The state wildflower, the Gaillardia, was the central theme for the colors of the dome's interior. The dome was dedicated in November, 2002, during a celebrity-filled televised extravaganza.

As war with Iraq becomes imminent and gasoline prices surge, the idea of using renewable energy in lieu of foreign oil becomes a greater prospect.

"I don't think we would care as much about Iraq if they didn't have as much crude oil product," said Mike Terry, executive director of Oklahoma Energy Resources Board.

"Although the United States doesn't buy much crude oil from Iraq, they [Iraq] do supply a lot of other countries. So that makes them an economical and political player in the world."

Terry said he is highly concerned with the United States's dependence on foreign oil.

Dr. Whit Marks, UCO professor emeritus of physics and engineering and charter member of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy, said the United States is criticized by the rest of the world because of its increased reliance on outside oil over the past 20 to 25 years.

Although the United States is conservative politically, he said, "We're not conservative in terms of resources."

Terry said, depending the length of a possible war, "I would say that we could still see another 10 to 15 percent increase [in gasoline prices]."

He said, in the case of a short war, prices could "shoot up" and go back down when the war is over. If the war were to last six months, paying $2 per gallon is a possibility because tremendous amounts of fuel will be needed and used to support the war effort, he said.

"When you have a demand, price goes up," Terry said, "and when price goes up, you have more drilling."

"People don't like high gas prices, but that's what happens."

The White House has begun to take a step closer to cutting down on the nation's reliance on overseas oil and making the United States a more independent nation.

President Bush announced his latest plans for a hydrogen fuel initiative in a speech Jan. 6 at the National Building Museum.

The plans will aid in the implementation of the president's "clear skies initiative," a strategy proposed in 2002 to reduce air pollution from power plants by 70 percent by the year 2018.

"Let us promote hydrogen fuel cells as a way to advance the 21st century," he said.

The United States imports over half of its crude oil stocks from abroad, he said.

Thirty-nine percent of the energy supply used was petroleum, followed by 24 percent natural gas, 23 percent coal, and 8 percent nuclear electric power.

Bush said, hydrogen fuel will reduce the demand for oil by over 11 million barrels per day by the year 2040.

see Energy page 4

Identical twins Mark and Matt Dodgen, two of UCO's top-ranked wrestlers, hope to end their senior year defending a national championship.

- Page 7

Demario Jones' performance on the court this year has been on the highlight reels.

- Page 7

OPINION

FEBRUARY 20, 2003

WWW.THEVISTAONELINE.COM

Quote of the day

Today in History 1895

No way of thinking, however ancient, can be trusted without proof.

- Henry David Thoreau "Walden,"

Frederick Douglass, American journalist, orator and antislavery leader died at Anacostia Heights, D.C. His original name before his escape from slavery was Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey.

)

It's beautiful! -I wonder when they'll get around to the Art Building...

Cartoon by Chris Maupin The fear of terrorist attacks, strikes in Venezuela and concerns that the United States may begin a war with Iraq have gas prices surging toward highs not seen since the mid 80s.

Because the United States isn't in an immediate crisis the 13.4 cent increase since mid-January can't be classified as price gouging, but has sparked debate among consumers and industry watch-dogs alike.

According to the American Automobile Association, when current events could effect production and distribution of oil shipments the

world crude-oil market tightens and lowers inventories, causing increases gas prices.

This legal gouging involving a resource that is a necessity to motorist is a result of pure speculation and fear that production will be effected.

When the computer first was introduced, it was so expensive only the multi-million dollar corporations could afford the massive mainframes.

Now they are so inexpensive many middle class families own one or have access to one.

What if research on alternative energy was funded by the government at the same time the

mainframe was in its first stages of being compacted and more efficient? Would we still be dependent on oil? Or would we have a cheaper, cleaner and more economically dependent product to power our energy needs?

Too bad oil companies give millions of dollars to the people we elect to make decisions on what research gets funding.

For now, we have to suffer the price gouging roller coaster that throws loops in our budgets every time international relations tighten.

to convince me that my life will be

by Audrey Dodges better lived under a blanDig out a bomb ket of plastic and adhesive. shelter.

Anyhow, back to the master plan Fill it with of post hysterics global domination. furniture, zra, To quote a great world leader of clothes, food, our time, Dogbert, "When conquer and other supplies, enough to last the the world I'll have a secret handshake next 35 years. to identify the people who will be Enter the bomb shelter, lock the part of my new ruling class. Cross doors, and don't think about coming your eyes and stick out your tongue. out for the next three and a half Good, now vigorously slap your face. decades.

The people who aren't doing that Sure, it was the plot of a moderwill be identified as my new ruling ately silly movie starring Brendan class."

Fraser. Too bad we're just one good Call it the new Social Darwinism. media blitz away from living out that Instead of using eugenics, we'll simplot. ply let everyone go underground, and With rolls of duct tape flying off when they return, they will be so shelves, and "D" cell batteries no confused that they will have to let us where to be found in the metro, this continue ruling. weekend I began wondering if we I realize that most people will had all lost our minds. identify a small flaw in this plan. All After much consideration, chiefs and no braves makes a very bad though, I've elected to support the tribe. mass hysteria. Once all of the Accordingly, everyone left above gullible people go into hiding, all of ground will be reqUired to take an the rational thinkers will be free to aptitude test to determine their place rule the world as we see fit. in the new society. A small group of To further that aim, I've decided people will be removed from their that we should run an extensive ad duct tape and plastic sheet cocoons, campaign, cleverly disguised as real given Racal suits (to maintain the news, reminding people that while illusion that we're all going to die), openness and tolerance is a noble and assigned the more unpleasant idea, panicked paranoia will keep you tasks, like trash services. A few highalive much longer. ly intelligent and equally productive Don't get me wrong. I believe in men and women will be assigned the being prepared as much as the next important task of replenishing the person. I have some extra water on world's duct tape supply. Duct tape hand, and made sure there were some is an extremely valuable commodity, non-perishables in the pantry. I even and should be used for its intended went so far as to round up all of the purpose - making clothing and accesred gas cans in my garage and fill sories. them before the price of gas skyrockNow, I realize that some of you ets. will feel this plan is a tad extreme. I There is no way, though, that also realize that I said in my first colsome grim faced newscaster is going umn that you are all capable of mak-

On The Other Hand

THEVISTA Editor in Chief Zach E. Nash Associate Editor Jera Stone Managing Editor Kristen Armstrong Copy Editor Michael Larson Web Editor Danny Peters Assistant Editor Fawn Porter Senior Writer Summer Pratt Senior Writer Mark Schlachtenhaufen Thad Danner Writer Caroline Duke Writer Jim Epperson Writer Sports Editor Dara Lawless Sports Writer Brad Frizell Sports Writer Ryan Jameson Photo Editor Rebecca Martin Justin Avera Photgrapher Juli Barker Photgrapher Photographer Tina Fowbie Photgrapher Heather Harkins Cartoonist Chris Maupin Ad Manager Andrew Bowman Ad Sales Taylor Cleveland Ad Sales Kendra Loughridge Promotions Liserte Galindez Silva Circulation Andrew Bowman Dm' ector Rhonda K. Rodgers

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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 on Thursdays only during the summer term, at the University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N University Dr, Edmond, OK 73034-5209.

Telephone: (405) 974-5549. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy.

EDITORIALS Opinion columns, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the department of journalism, UCO, or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges.

Editorial cartoons do not necessarily represent the views of the artist.

The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

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 and does not publish anonymous letters.

Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034:5209 or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 107. Letters can be sent via e-mail to ucovista@hotmail.com.

ing informed decisions. To that end, here is a list of pros and cons for the "Duct Tape and Plastic Sheeting Master Plan", henceforth referred to as DTPSMP. Reasons to enact the DTPSMP: Fewer people to clog the streets when my 11 a.m. class lets out.

Since most people, according to Shaw, "... select their wives and husbands less carefully than they select their cashiers and cooks," even poor choosing will yield more valuable results, as the pool of prospects will be greatly refined.

Constitutionalists ought to like DTPSMP as it provides a new chance to revert to original constitutional law.

Socio-economic differences will be virtually eliminated, as the few who are left will divide up the wealth of the masses.

Concerns you may harbor about the DTPSMP: There will be fewer people to do jobs we are less inclined to do (this has been adequately addressed in the paragraph about chiefs and warriors).

There are no other concerns to be noted about DTPSMP, as it really works out best for everyone. The duct tape hoarders can go on believing that they have saved their lives with a bit of plastic, and the rest of us can organize our country the way it ought to be.

I plead with all of you to encourage your friends to build bioterrorproof rooms in their homes. The GREAT WAR is coming, and the only thing standing between you and Ebola, Smallpox, and Agent Orange is whatever you tape onto your doors and windows. Toss in some gas masks for good measure, and don't forget one for Fido.

Don't forget to pack enough Evian for your stay. You'll be there a very long time.

ampus Quotes If gas pricesso up, how will that affectyou?

"Personally, it doesn't affect me much, but I think it will affect my stocks."

"That'd affect me a lot because I drive 30 minutes to get to UCO." BETH CHERRY

Abdullah Syed

freshman business management

MFA student

"I used to live in' Colorado so paying $1.50 for gas is

nothing."

"In a bad way, because I '

don't have any money being a college student."

CHELSEY WILSON

BRANDON WILMARTH

freshman applied liberal arts

Junior english ed

"NW(' help fight for a better

cause, then I wouldn't mind if the price went up."

"It wouldn't really affect me, because I still have to go to class."

KELLY SMITH

CHRIS HALEY

Ms a pity The Vista falls prey to the mediocrity that plagues mass media — neglection their obligation to represent all sides of a possible military confrontation with Iraq.

Articles suggesting "Iraq has been successfully contained for the last decade" and headlines reminding everyone of the tawdry, weekly peace marches where a handful of warmedover hippies can reminisce about the good old days have forced me to stick my dissenting neck out. Let us move past cheap overtures and new buzzwords like "cowboy unilateralists" and raise valid points about the superfluous United Nations and its peace-loving members.

This "oh-so pious" institution that left-learning critics of Washington suggest is the appropriate arena for curing the Iraqi rash located on the world's backside is interesting. Even more interesting is the assumption of its moral clarity and superiority in protecting the world from American unilateralism.

If one were to closely examine the rank and file members of the UN, one might ask why the United States (the big, bad amoral hegemon) is beseeching the blessing of such squeaky-clean UN members like Syria, Libya, Iran, Saudi Arabia and China. Their collective cries that a solution to world problems should be

senior MIS

freshman accounting

Letters to the editor found through democratic means is something their own citizens must find a strange concept, no doubt.

And thank goodness Iraq and Iran are now chairing the UN's efforts in tracking the spread of weapons of mass destruction. I feel safer already.

Not to mention the fine job Libya will do of heading up human rights at the UN. My heart's aflutter with hope for a new age, where the sanctity of life is shielded by these noble states.

Let's not forget our trusted allies, the Germans and French. We should pay close attention to what the Germans have to say about disarmament — after all they have first-hand experience. Who would question their credentials? With diplomats like Joschka Fischer, Germany's foreign minister, demanding the US provide irrefutable evidence that Iraq has ties to terrorists, the world is a better place — really it is.

After all, Mr. Fischer knows all about irrefutable evidence of terrorist connections being ex-roomies with the German terrorist Hans Joachim Klein. Klein served nine years in prison for his role in the 1975 takeover of OPEC's headquarters in Vienna. Fischer was also forced to make a public apology for severely beating a German police officer dur-

ing a violent riot, although he has yet to recant his advocating of petrol bombs in the 1976 demonstration in which another policeman almost died from severe burns.

You have to love the French too.

These guys are great! I mean, it takes some fabulous self-righteousness to look the US in the eye after getting your hind-end saved in WWI, WWII and Vietnam, and then point the moral finger at our "warmongering."

The glass house, where the French currently reside, would never reveal anything dishonorable about their intentions to avoid war, because it's not like they stand to loose an incredible amount of commerce should they no longer have access to the Iraqi oil they currently wallow in.

They're not bitter about America's wealth and position in the world either. Nor do the French have the diplomatic version of a certain type of envy of the Freudian persuasion.

In fact, due to the decadent moral decline of America's position on Iraq, I am hereby revoking my citizenship, moving to Hollywood and changing my name to Babette Schroeder in protest of America's self-serving, evil and opportunistic ways.

Crystal Drwenski Public Relations Senior

Correction: In the page 6 story of the Feb. 18 issue, the OKC Police Chief M.T. Berry was incorrectly identified as Marion Berry. Chief Berry's first name is Major and he goes by his initials M.T.

"That would probably alleviate a lot of the extra-curricular activities that me and my children do."

"It'd affect me cause I drive all the way from Oklahoma

JOSEPH BLANCHARD

masters program

City."

Marianne Miller

junior psychology

"I'm used to just filling up

"I'll just pay more for gas.

my tank with $13. It kinda cuts into your budget."

I'll just do what I have to do."

SAM FERGUSON junior communications

POLINA PROUDNIKOVA sophomore pre-med

NEWS

FEBRUARY 20, 2003

smonssimmaigli

Abandoned refinery falls in controlled explosion

Say "Ahhhhh "

Photo by Juli Barker

LaBetta Wallenmeyer, director of the Student Health Center, has seen many students for throat problems in recent weeks. Jessica Hemphill, vocal performance sophomore, gets a clean bill of health.

Henry hires negotiator for gaming money OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry has hired a negotiator to talk to American Indian tribes about sharing the profits of casino gambling.

The governor has proposed the state reach revenue-sharing agreements — known as cornpacts — with Oklahoma tribes that have gaming halls. The state could end up getting millions of dollars annually in new income from the tribes.

Henry has named Lindsay Robertson, a law professor at the University of Oklahoma, to his special counsel on American Indian affairs.

Robertson, 43, held the same poisition for two years for former Gov. Frank Keating.

"I think it's a time of opportunity, frankly, in this area, for everybody," Robertson said.

"There's a lot of movement in gaming nationally. So it will be a very interesting time for talking about these issues."

Also up for negotiation is how much the state will get from tribes' tobacco sales.

Tobacco agreements signed 10

WWW.THEVISTAONLINE.COM

years ago are expiring.

Tribal leaders are working to come up with a united proposal for the new governor.

They plan to meet this week — for the third time — to draft language for a gaming agreement and, possibly, a new tobacco agreement.

"It's a process that I think has never really been done before," said Osage Nation Chief Jim Gray, who organized the first two meetings.

"It's been extremely difficult ... We're just now to the point where we can talk about fundamental principles that we all agree on. • Tribes,Thaw not required to have compacts to operate socalled Class II machines or to share their profits with the state.

But tribes are interested in negotiating with the state because of disputes with federal regulators over the legitimacy of some machines and blackjack games.

The National Indian Gaming Commission has fined some tribes after deciding their casinos have Vegas-style Class III r

machines.

One lawmaker against any agreement between the state and the tribes is Rep. Forrest Claunch, R-Midwest City. He said the tribes are offering to help the state only because they want to run illegal games.

"It's a little infuriating,'' he said. "If the governor decides he wants to compact and allow what the gaming regulatory commission said is illegal, I will sue the governor. ... We have every obligation to obey the law, not break the law."

Tribal leaders are talking about asking the governor to let the tribes '6se Vegas-style 'Class III mac:fakes- if a lottery`' "is approved.

Henry has said he would oppose such a move.

"That's one of the options we're weighing right now." Gray said.

"I'd like to believe the governor is willing to hear what we have to say about the subject. I don't know if he has had a chance to hear a legitimate proposal from the tribes yet."

CUSHING, Olda. (AP) An explosion has crumpled the tallest tower at the abandoned Hudson Refinery, part of a demolition plan to clean up one of Oklahoma's environmental messes.

A few of the 35 people watching Sunday morning let out a yell as the 124-foot tower fell. It took two controlled explosions to bring down the structure, part of an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site.

"Tough old thing didn't want to come down," said Edwin Kautz, who worked at the refinery for more than 38 years. "I'm glad to see it cleaned up — it's just an eyesore."

The company performing the demolition just off Oklahoma 33 took extra safety measures — choosing to bring the tower down with two blasts instead of one — because of a strong north wind, said EPA coordinator Rita Engblom.

"We didn't want any chance it would fall onto the road," Engblom said. "It fell north, the way we wanted — I'm extremely happy with it. I would rather take longer and have to blow it twice than have it fall on the road."

Anna Chong, president of Engineered Demolition Inc. of Idaho, said she had been advised the wind could have been as fast as 30 to 40 mph. About one-half mile of Oklahoma 33, on the western edge of Cushing, was closed from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for safety reasons, police said.

Mayor Lee Denney called it a great day for Cushing.

"The people of Cushing can see we really are making progress with the Hudson Refinery cleanup," he said.

The EPA has allocated $17.7 million to clean up the refinery, including $8.5 million for removal of buildings on the north side, state Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Monty Elder said.

The steel tower demolished Sunday will be cut up by a Houston contractor and hauled away for scrap metal.

State's largest school districts are losing superintendents OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma schools are losing superintendents at a time when a state revenue shortfall has caused millions of dollars to be cut from school budgets.

Duncan Schools Superintendent Donnie Snider, 51, who is retiring at the end of this school year to begin a career as a college professor in Texas, called the cuts in education funding brutal and said superintendents are getting the blame.

"It's kind of hard for local citizens to vent on the state Legislature, so they focus their frustrations on the first people they see — school board members and superintendents. These are the people they see downtown at the grocery stores or at church.

"And nobody wants to be a whipping boy."

Some of the state's larger school districts, including Duncan, Oklahoma City, Altus, Ardmore and Weatherford, are

among those whose superintendent either retired, resigned or was forced to leave.

Altus Public Schools spokeswoman Valerie Roberts said no one wants the job of superintendent.

"Being a superintendent is a hard job," Roberts said, "and it's even harder now given the current financial climate across the state.

"Instead of making positive changes to ensure student academic achievement, they are forced to come in and make major budget cuts. That's tough."

At Weatherford, Superintendent Grant Frankenberg accepted a buyout package following nearly two years of controversy about his budget decisions.

Weatherford school board member Randy Hacker said there are already 40 applicants for the job and that the school will have no trouble finding a

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In Oklahoma City, the district has used private donations to hire a firm to conduct a national superintendent search.

In Ardmore, school board President Bill Owen said there are 24 applicants to replace Superintendent Derrith Welch, who recently announced his resignation.

Owen called the number of applicants a positive sign.

But Snider questions whether enough of the applicants are

qualified.

"The numbers may be there, but is the quality?" Snider asked.

"You may have 30 applicants, but how many would be considered quality?

"You may have a lot of assistant principals who want to make the jump all the way to superintendent. You may have very few who have actually worked as an assistant superintendent or even superintendent."

■IMIEn

STATE BRIEFS City disputing charges to adult Web site HARTSHORNE, Okla. (AP) Police are trying to figure out how the city could be billed more than $200 in charges from a pornographic Web site.

However, officials in the city 20 miles east of McAlester say they aren't going to pay for it.

Police Chief Roger Day said an employee has written a check to the city for $29, but it wasn't accepted by the City Council. The council is awaiting the completion of Day's investigation before taking any action, but already has voted to reject the bill.

"The council has turned it over to me to investigate and find out what really happened," Day said. "I want to get all the information I can, take it back to the council and let them deal with it."

The questionable charges on the telephone bill total $268 from Alyon Technologies of Norcross, Ga., an Internet billing service, according the company's Web site.

Day said he is talking to computer experts to see if the employee could have run up such a high bill without knowing it. Day said he's been told it is possible. ,

Police believe they may have a suspect in custody LAWTON, Okla. (AP) Police say they have a man in custody who they believe may be responsible for the fatal shootings of three casino workers in a Lawton home last week.

Detectives say they plan to turn over evidence to the Comanche County District Attorney's office that will link a Lawton man to the slayings of Lena Jean Bohay, 22, John Limberger, 25, and Mack Wright, 58.

The bodies of Bohay, Limberger and Wright were found by police after officers were asked to check on their welfare when they failed to show up at work at the Fort Sill-Apache Casino in Lawton.

Limberger and Wright worked as floor managers. Bohay was a card dealer. Each had been shot multiple times.

Casino manager Warren Winger said he became concerned when he drove to the home and no one answered the door.

He called police, who found the back door open and no signs of forced. entry. Wright was found in one bedroom, Limberger and Bohay in another, police said.

Police said the three had been dead about 14 hours when the bodies were found Feb. 11.

House fire kills two SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) Two people died from smoke inhalation in a house fire in rural Creek County early Monday morning.

Willie Bruton, 60 and Holley Smith, 44, were killed as they tried to escape the burning home, said Carolyn Smythe, captain of the Freedom Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

Flammable residue, in, the chimney ,of a wood-burning 'stoire caught fire, .aincl 'spread to the'shorne's.roof, fire department4fatials said?'" " 4 " I " Neighbors reported the fire after hearing a small explosion.

Smythe said Bruton and Smith were probably asleep when the fire broke out and tried to escape, but died from smoke inhalation.

Their bodies were found within feet of the backdoor, Smythe said.

The home had no smoke detectors.

Judge denies poultry companies' change of venue request TULSA, Okla. (AP) A federal judge has denied the claim of six corporations that said they wouldn't be able to get an impartial jury in an upcoming trial involving the poultry industry.

The companies had sought to move the trial from the Northern District of Oklahoma to Wichita, Kan. U.S. District Judge Claire, Eagan denied the request by Tyson Foods Inc., Cobb-Vantress Inc., Peterson Farms Inc., Simmons Foods Inc., Cargill Inc. and George's Inc. The city of 'Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority sued the companies in December 2001, blaming them for polluting creeks and streams that feed two city water-supply reservoirs, Lake Spavinaw and Lake Eucha.

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Blood supply, from page 1

BRIEFS National Rangers search Mount Rainier for two missing climbers PARADISE, Wash. (AP) National Park Service rangers searched Mount Rainier in vain on Monday for two climbers who had failed to return the day before as planned.

Park officials said Christopher McGinnis, 51, of Mukilteo and his climbing partner Quang Thau, whose age and home town were not immediately available, had plans to climb the Gibraltar Ledges route — the highest reaches of the Nisqually Glacier on the southern flank of the 14,411-foot mountain.

One of their wives notified park rangers after they did not return as scheduled on Sunday.

We are really in a wait mode," said park spokeswoman Lee Taylor said Monday. "We are hoping the climbing party of two will make it out today. They are experienced climbers who are probably waiting for things to break, until visibility improves and they can make it down the mountain."

The men were equipped with an extra day's supply of food and four day's worth of fuel to melt snow into drinking water.

Lows of 10 degrees at Camp Muir around the 10,100-foot level of the mountain's southeastern flank and 10 degrees below zero at the summit were expected overnight, the weather service said.

Park staff planned to resume the search Tuesday morning.

Boy fractures skull while riding sled pulled by car GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) A 4-year-old boy was in serious condition Monday after colliding with a parked pickup truck while riding on a sled being pulled by his father's station wagon, authorities said.

Danford Cutchin Jr. was pulling his son, Danford III, and 7year-old daughter, Amy, on a sled tied to the vehicle when the sled swung left and hit the truck around 2 p.m., police said.

Police said Danford Cutchin III was riding in the front of the sled and hit his head against the truck's metal bumper. He suffered an enclosed head injury and fractured his skull.

Officials at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center wouldn't release the boy's condition Monday night, but police said he was in serious condition.

Amy suffered minor injuries and was treated and released from Moses Cone Hospital, police said.

Danford Cutchin Jr. could not be reached for comment.

other's lives, the 45 minutes would seem like nothing."

Most members of the public aren't aware that the blood supply must be continually updated, Scott said.

Blood has a short life span.

Red blood cells remain viable for 42 days, blood platelets for five days. Frozen plasma is good for a year.

The recommended time period between donations is 56 days, Cantrell said.

If they are asked to give, students usually are good at responding, she said.

Blood is comprised of plasma, platelets, white blood cells

and red blood cells, the most commonly used component.

Plasma is the liquid part of blood. Platelets help blood clot and aid cancer or leukemia patients. White blood cells help protect the body from disease.

Red blood cells transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Civilian and battlefield hospitals give red blood cells to trauma patients and those undergoing surgical procedures.

People living to age 72 have a 95 percent chance of needing blood products during their lives, according to information posted on the OBI website (www.obi.org) .

Type 0-negative blood is in biggest demand currently, Cantrell said. Anyone can receive 0-negative blood, used to treat trauma patients at military field surgical hospitals, for example. Only seven in 100 people have 0-negative blood.

Studies show that those who begin donating blood in high school or college will be longtime donors, Scott said.

An average man has about 12 pints of blood, an average woman about nine. Blood makes up about eight percent of a person's body weight.

Members of the UCO cornmunity don't have to go far to

donate blood.

The OBI's Edmond donor location is at 3434 S. Boulevard.

Office hours are 7:30-6, Monday through Thursday, 7:30-4:30 on Friday and 7:30-2 on Saturday.

For more information call 3483089.

The OBI will hold an oncampus blood drive April 17 in the Nigh University Center on the first floor across from University Bookstore.

Anyone who donates at the 33rd street and Boulevard OBI location will receive a free chicken sandwich at the 33rd street Chick-fil-A.

tor of the Wellness Center.

He said Health Educator Misha Mowdy of the Student Health Center will have more opportunities to educate students through the Wellness Center.

"We and the Health Center can be involved with one another," he said.

For example, Herrin said,

Mowdy might teach an aerobics class and teach the effects of healthy aerobics on a healthy heart.

The Wellness Center is having an open house for students, faculty, and staff from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 26 and will have tours on the hour and the halfhour.

Students will be able to vali-

date their student ID and sign a waiver said Danielle Dill assistant director of the Wellness Center.

The students sign a waiver which releases the University from liability of risk when using the facilities equipment, she said.

Health, from page 1 is connected to the exam rooms, she said.

"Frequently students can overhear what the nurses say to other students about what they have."

The new Student Health Center will have three exam rooms instead of two, a high security system, and a lab twice as big, said Mark Herrin, direc-

International Malaysia Airlines crew investigated over alleged fake credit card KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Malaysian police are investigating several Malaysia Airlines cabin crew members for alleged involvement in a ring which smuggled fake credit cards, a news report said Tuesday.

The Star newspaper said a 31-year-old Malaysia Airlines steward was arrested at Tokyo's Narita Airport on Sunday carrying 3,000 credit cards believed to be forged.

It said a Malaysian student who was to pick up the cards at the airport was also arrested.

The names of the suspects were not disclosed.

Maizan Shaari, director of the Malaysian police's Commercial Crimes Department, was quoted as saying that several cabin crew members have been under investigation for several months in the case.

Police and Malaysia Airlines declined to comment on the report.

MB OIL MEI\

Photo by Jera Stone

High gas prices at the pumps have people considering renewable energy sources more seriously.

Energy, from page 1 FreedomCAR (Cooperative Automotive Research), a partnership with automobile makers launched by President Bush in 2002, permits high-tech research to be done to further the advancement of hydrogen energy.

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President Bush said $720 million will be invested and $1.7 billion will be spent over the next five years to develop hydropowered fuel cells, a hydrogen infrastructure and advanced automotive technologies.

In his fiscal year 2004 budget request, the president asked Congress for $273 million to conduct hydrogen and fuel cell research through the

FreedomCAR and fuel initiatives.

The president said he hopes that a child born today will be able to drive a hydrogen fuel cell car for his first car.

In his address, he asked Congress for $1.2 billion to take hydrogen fuel cell cars "from the laboratory to the showroom."

As hydrogen fuel becomes more abundant and prices decline, President Bush said the automobile industry will be better able to afford the production of fuel cell vehicles.

He said he wants the initiative to make fuel cell vehicles practical and cost-effective for Americans by 2020.

Terry said, "I don't know if that [a hydrogen-powered car] is going to be a major form of transportation. It would be very expensive to drive that form of a car, so the average consumer is not going to want to do that."

However, he said, "In 20 years, a lot of things can happen.

Technology will change things tremendously."

Marks said Honda and Toyota currently make fuel cell vehicles. Such vehicles emit only water, not exhaust, he said.

"You can catch the water, take it home, and use it in your steam iron or wash your hair with it," he said.

Terry said, "I think renew-

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ables are going to become more and more of an important part in the energy picture."

"At the same time, renewables, in my opinion, will never take the place of fossil fuels."

"We will continue to have a thirst for fossil fuel energy."

The United States is the largest consumer of energy in the world, and Terry attributes that to the nation's high standard of living. It couldn't keep up with demand and was forced to begin importing from other countries, he said.

"All renewals have a place, but there's not just one magic renewal form that will take the place of fossil fuels," Terry said.

UCO STUDENT COUSISELING CENTER For more information, call 974-2215 or visit University Center Room 402 and online at

www.ucok.edu/student_counseling

See, it's simple.

Now get online, and practice typing it. www.thevistaonline.com lots of name, lots of news

NEWS

FEBRUARY 20, 2003

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Teacher raises funds for computers

Letters

Photo by Tina Fowble

Public Relations freshman Emily Kent, Biology sophomore Peas Nowell and Political Science freshman :Julie Bennett wrote letters to the soliders overseas in the West Hall Lobby Feb. 18

ALVA, Okla. (AP) A potato supper and community donations are bringing technology to some Oklahoma students during the state's major budget crunch.

The special fund for the Alva science club was started by Julie Angle, who 10 years ago became the first teacher in the district to have a computer in the classroom.

Angle began raising money to buy a computer for each Alva High School science student after noticing how much the computer helped her students on papers and experiments.

The fund purchased $30,000 in computers and equipment for the school district four years ago, and Angle and her science club students are still adding to it.

The fund began with a $3,000

grant from the Presbyterian Health Foundation, and the club started holding potato bar fundraisers once a week at lunch and on game nights.

When the fund reached $15,000 four years ago, Angle sought matching funds from the Share Foundation, an Alva-based charity. That gave her the $30,000 she needed to buy 20 computers, 10 color printers, two digital cameras, a scanner, a laptop and a 32-inch television.

Interim Superintendent Beverly Owen said it is doubtful the school system could have afforded the technology.

"I am very proud of this excellent science teacher," she said.

School officials say the technology is making a big difference in the classroom.

STRANGE STORIES Horse finds its own way home WAKARUSA, Ind.(AP) Viola and Willard Miller always knew their horse was special. And now everyone in their northern Indiana hometown of Wakarusa knows it too.

The Miller's horse, named Special, managed to find her way home Feb.16 despite navigating a driverless buggy.

Special took Viola Miller and her children about a mile from their home into Wakarusa for a bite to eat. The Millers tied the horse to the post designed for buggy parking and walked the few blocks to a restaurant.

But when Viola Miller returned to the post, Special and the buggy were gone.

"I figured she went home," she said. "Horses aren't that dumb."

Wakarusa policeman Noe Gonzalez said he received two calls from people who spotted Special navigating roadways alone.

Viola Miller and her children caught a ride from a downtown motorist and arrived home shortly after the horse.

Special, 14, has been with the Millers for about five years.

Suspect escapes by simply walking away

Energy trading collapse troubles up-and-coming grads STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) The job market was the last market students expected to worry about on Oklahoma State University's mock trading floor.

Enron still stirred visions of fortune and power when Lance Ensminger decided to pursue a master's in quantitative finance.

Vinod Sankaran thought he'd have his pick of internships at Dynegy or Williams. Cathy LiLi came from China, confident American. firms needed financial risk managers.

With their studies winding down, however, the futures most at risk seem to be their own.

"It's bleak," Sankaran said.

"They don't even want to interview us."

Some of the very energy traders that once sought out such graduates to manage financial risk are retreating or giving up trading completely as the sector struggles for survival.

Dynegy, whose donation set phe...ticker rape humming on Oklahoma State's DmegrTrading Floor in 2001, has abandoned its once-thriving third-

party trade business.

Williams, the name and money behind the business school's Williams Institute of Quantitative Finance, cut its marketing and trading unit from 880 to 350 workers after losing $602 million in the first nine months of last year.

More than 10,000 related jobs have been lost in Houston alone. And the worst may be yet to come for energy merchants and traders who lost 88 percent of their market value last year, said John Olson, an analyst with Sanders Morris Harris.

"Right now it's getting worse before it gets better," he said. "I think we will probably hit bottom this spring after a six-quarter decline."

The buying and selling of power and natural gas goes on, but energy trading "has taken a very large step backward," said Craig Goodman, president of thc,• National Energy Marketers As!sikiation.

The meltdown started with Enron's collapse and built up speed as questionable accounting

and trade practices industrywide came to light.

Companies like Williams are selling assets and discussing partnerships in order to raise cash and pay down debt.

Dynegy is now trading around its own assets instead of brokering gas and power deals.

Major leaguers such as Shell, Entergy-Koch and Oneok are opting for deals that are more conservative than the speculative trading that grew out of the power deregulation of the 1990s, Olson said.

The industry is necessary, the energy traders say, to protect consumers from volatile prices by hedging risk.

"It's not dead and never will be because it's the only efficient way to plan and build power plants in the future," Goodman said.

Soon-to-be Oklahoma State graduates learning to manage risk, however, are having to focus on other industries.

Financial institutions, insurance companies and importers are among the sectors that need

their skills.

It's a tough market regardless, said LiLi, who had always planned to gain experience with an American financial firm before returning to work in China.

The last job fair she attended, 200 people lined up for two hours to interview for 10 jobs.

She'll have to find a job within a year after graduation in May to stay in the United States.

"Maybe 90 percent don't consider international students," she said.

Ensminger, who worked as a financial analyst before deciding to return to school at a time when Enron was THE place to work, believes his new skills will only benefit him.

"If there isn't something available," he said, the abilities I acquire in this program will carry over."

Others must agree.

Seventy-five applicants are vying for 15 slots in next fall's quantitative finance graduate program.

That's 25 more than last year.

Yale joins in supporting admissions practices at University of Michigan NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) Black law students at Yale have joined those at several other universities in backing a legal brief that supports the University of Michigan's admissions policies, which take race into consideration.

The brief, prepared by students at Harvard University, was among several that were expected to be filed in the case on Feb. 18 by schools, large companies and private citizens.

The loss of affirmative action would be especially damaging at the nation's most prestigious law schools, which serve as gateways to positions of power in the legal

and political arena, the brief contends.

"At the very top schools, at least among African Americans, the numbers would certainly diminish," Travis LeBlanc, a third-year law student at Yale, said Feb. 17.

Michigan's admissions policies have been under fire since 1997, when the university was sued by two white applicants denied admission to its undergraduate school and a third denied admission to its law school.

Each applicant claimed they were passed over in favor of lessqualified minority students. The

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White House has also filed a brief opposing the policies, which will be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Applicants for Michigan's undergraduate classes are scored by points, with minorities and some poor applicants receiving a boost of 20 points on a scale of 150.

At the law school, admissions officers use a looser formula that tries to ensure each class has a "critical mass" of about 10 percent or 12 percent minority enrollment.

Besides Yale, groups at four other Ivy League schools _ Brown, Dartmouth, Princeton

and the University of Pennsylvania _ have signed onto the Harvard brief along with Duke University and the University of Chicago.

Columbia and Cornell, the two Ivy League schools who did not sign onto the brief, have prepared a separate, narrower brief that supports Michigan's practices on the basis of academic freedom.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) A burglary suspect escaped from Onondaga County Sheriff's Department headquarters in handcuffs, but was caught again just a few blocks away.

Steven DeShane, 34, of Pompey, walked out of a secondfloor interview room on Feb. 14 after a detective left him in there alone, and left through one of the building's four exits.

Doors to interview rooms normally lock automatically when shut, said Sgt. John DIEredita.

Detectives apprehended DeShane a few blocks away about 15 minutes later, still in handcuffs, he said.

DeShane was arrested earlier on a bench warrant as a suspect in a Feb. 12 car theft.

Air traveler accused in ferret death CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) A New York state man who smuggled a ferret onto his flight to Phoenix before beating it to death during a St. Louis layover has been charged with misdemeanor animal abuse.

St. Louis County prosecutors on Feb. 14 charged Stefan Albrecht, 36, of Yonkers, N.Y., in a warrant related to the Feb. 7 death of the small, weasel-like animal.

Albrecht kept the ferret in a carryon cooler on an American flight from New York to St. Louis as he was bound for Phoenix, authorities said. When flight attendants realized he had the animal, they told him he was unauthorized to bring it on board and could not take it on his next flight, American spokeswoman Julia Bishop-Cross has said.

"We offered to take the ferret to the Humane Society for him," Bishop-Cross said. But when the plane landed for a layover in St. Louis, authorities say, Albrecht allegedly took the ferret to a Lambert Airport restroom, broke the ferret's neck and flushed it down a toilet, then told airline workers what he had done.

Albrecht eventually was allowed to leave St. Louis, but airport police said they believed he would return to face the charge.

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Production of 'Laramie Project' brings up subject of hate crime for panel discussion

by Summer Pratt sp@thevistaonline.com The Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Arts will present ''The Laramie Project" by Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project at 8 p.m. Feb. 20 - 22 and at 2 p.m.

Feb. 23 in Mitchell Hall Theatre.

"The Laramie Project" is a play about the aftermath of the death of 21-year-old college student, Matthew Shepard. In 1998, Shepard was found severely beaten and tied to a fence outside of Laramie, Wyoming. He died days later in the hospital.

Shepard was targeted because he was gay.

After Shepard's death, playwright Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project went to Laramie to interview members of the community, to explore why this happened and how it affected the town.

They went to Laramie six times over a two-year period and did over 200 interviews. At the project's completion they had recorded more than 400 hours of interviews.

This play is a compilation of those interviews, presented by the actors as narratives.

The first character who speaks in the play tells the audience about the Laramie Project and how the research was done.

Some of the play's characters are the first police officer on the scene, the doctor at the first hospital Shepard was taken to and the young man who found Shepard's body.

Dr. Roberta Sloan, chair of the theater department, is directing the play. Her production is the first at a college in Oklahoma and the second at any venue in the state.

Sloan said she is excited about this production because it examines an event in recent American history, which impacted many people.

"This play meets a need in the community to be open to new ideas," she said.

"I see it as confronting the question of hate, regardless of what minority. Even though the play deals mainly with hate against the gay community, there is an enormous universality to it."

Sloan said she wants to give her students the opportunity to do a cutting-edge, contemporary play that will challenge them.

The cast of 12 will portray 67 separate roles.

"The students have been enriched by working on a show like this, as have I as a director."

Adrienne Nobles, marketing and promotions coordinator for , the College of Arts, Media and Design said the cast is made up entirely of UCO students, including: Tim Berg of Broken Arrow, Mykle Bull of Shawnee, Matt Charnay of Edmond, Sara Craig of Shawnee, Jenny Grigsby of Oolagah, Rosilyn Macumber of Sayre and David Mays of Oklahoma City.

Also cast is David Neher of Edmond, Lilla Rendon of Oklahoma City, Sean Scrutchins of Shawnee, Dana Weddle of Norman and Erika Wilhite of Oklahoma City.

Rosilyn Macumber, senior theater arts major plays the narrator and four other characters, including Shepard's mother.

Macumber said when she auditioned she knew the play was about Shepard's murder she said she didn't realize how emotional it would be to perform it.

"After every rehearsal the cast is just emotionally drained," she

said. "It's so profound. I think it will affect everyone who comes to see it."

Macumber said she thinks seeing the play will make people view the event in a different light.

"You realize these are real people and this really happened," she said.

Sloan said she and the cast hope the play creates conversation among those who see it and that it fosters tolerance and understanding for people of all backgrounds.

As a part of that effort, a panel discussion will be held after each performance. There will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions and participate in discussion.

The panelists include Paul Bashline, Dr. Thomas Guild, Edward Kromer and Rabbi David Packman on Feb. 20, Senator Bernest Cain, Janet Halliburton, Jim Nimmo and Paul Thompson on Feb. 21, Jim Craig, Jean Ann Van Krevelen, Dr. Joan Luxenburg and Richard Ogden on Feb. 22, and Paul Barby, Rev. Mark Christian, Kay Holladay and Bill Rogers on Feb. 23.

Nobles said they met with many people in the community to find panelists who were knowledgeable about hate crimes and gay, lesbian and transgender issues.

"The Laramie Project" deals with adult subject matter, and is not recommended for young children.

Tickets are $3 for UCO students with a valid ID and $ 5 for UCO faculty and staff with a valid ID. Call the Mitchell Hall Theatre box office for tickets at (405) 974-3375. Reservations are strongly suggested for ground floor seating.

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t &About Special Events A peace rally for stopping the war' n Iraq will be held at 4:30 p.m. every Wednesday at NW 23rd and Classen and at noon Saturdays at the northwest corner of Northwest Expressway and Pennsylvania Ave. Theater The Oklahoma City Theatre Company Civic Center Music Hall Mainstage series presents, "Romeo and Juliet," through March 2. Call 879-2191 for more information.

Dinner and Murder Mystery Theater offers a solve your own murder mystery" production and five-course meal at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day at 1841 NW 15th. Tickets are $39.95 per person for groups of eight or more. For tickets and more information call 524-7676 or e-mail dinnerandmystery@aol.com . "

The 2002-2003 Stage Center season features "Othello the Moor of Venice" Mar. 5-9.

Performances are at Stage Center, 400 W. Sheridan. For more information call 270-4801.

The 2002-2003 Celebrity Attractions season features "Cinderella," April 1-6, and "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?" May 13-18. All shows are in the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker. For more information call 800-8691451.

The Stage Door Theatrical Company's "Shakespeare at Sunset" production of "Cyrano De Bergerac" through Feb. 23 at Stage Door on Broadway at the Old School Business Center, 201 N. Broadway, Moore. For more information call 701-0014.

Dance Belly dancing by the Jewels of the Nile will be presented at 7 p.m. Fridays at Gopuram Taste of India at 121 E. California and at 8:30 p.m.

Fridays at Gopuram Taste of India, 4559 N.W. 23rd. For more information call 230-1323 or 948-7373.

Readings Julie's Juice-N-Java, 1121 Elm in Stubbeman Village, Norman, features poetry readings every Monday night and open mic every Wednesday night. For more information call 364-5282.

Full Circle Bookstore featured poetry readings are at 2 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month on the first floor of 50 Penn Place. For more information call 842-2900.

Art Galleries and Museums Norick Art Center will present "Four Oklahoma Photographers" 10 a.m. — 9 p.m., Mondays 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday at Oklahoma City University Campus, 1600 NW 25th. For more information call 521-5226.

MAINSITE Contemporary Art will present ceramic sculpture by Brandon Reese and "Truth Telling" by Tom Toperzer from 11:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Tuesday — Friday and 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Saturdays through March 7 at 122 E. Main, Norman. For more information call 2928095.

Sports The Oklahoma City Blazers 2002-2003 season includes home games versus San Angelo on Feb. 21, and Laredo on Feb. 22. All home games are played at the Ford Center, 100 W. Reno.

Tickets are $9-16. For more information call 800-511-1552.

Will Rogers' films to be shown commercially first time in 50 years TULSA, Oklahoma (AP) A Tulsa theater is holding a Will Rogers film festival, showing eight of the Oklahoma humorist's movies commercially for the first time in more than 50 years.

The movies included in the March 3-6 festival at the Cinemark Theater in south Tulsa have been enhanced through a transfer from film to DVD technolog.

"A Connecticut Yankee," based on Mark Twain's fantasy novel, starts the festival March 3, followed by "Steamboat 'Round the Bend," Rogers' final

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movie before his 1935 death in a plane crash.

On March 4, the festival features Rogers' "They Had to See Paris, in which the journalist and cowboy plays a Claremore garage owner who strikes oil and takes his wife to France.

The post-Civil War film directed by John Ford, "Judge Priest," starts the show March 5. Other titles are "State Fair," "In Old Kentucky," "David Harum," and "Too Busy to Work."

Also, schools reserving space in the theater can see a daily showing of "A Connecticut

3 Edmond Locations 917 E. Danforth 33rd & Boulevard 2nd & Santa Fe Ave.

Yankee," a biography of Rogers and clips of his 1922 silent film, "The Ropin' Fool," where he 1 demonstrates lasso tricks.'

Cinemark is donating ri the theater and 20th Century Fox has waived copyright fees.

Proceeds from a nominal admission charge will benefit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore and his birthplace ranch in Oologah.

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comEaorN UCH's Spring Voltinfter fair bruarij 26, 2003 10:00314.2:00pin There will be over 50 non-profit agencies from all over the metropolitan area. The Spring Fair will be located in the Nigh University Center in Ballrooms A and B on the 3rd floor. This gives you the opportunity to explore the vast number of nonprofit organizations looking for Volunteers.

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Poll climbers win in Arkansas Dodgens are a different tagteam

by Ryan Jameson rj@thevistaonline.com

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Drew Bowers nailed an RBI double against ATU.

by Brad Frizell bf@thevistaonline.com

A three-game three-day trip to Russelville, Ark. ended as a onegame win for the newly No. 8ranked UCO Broncho baseball team. • The Bronchos moved up from 17th to No. 8 in NCAA Division II baseball ranking in a poll released by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Monday.

Both Sunday's and Friday's game of the Arkansas Tech Festival were cancelled due to wet field conditions.

Saturday the Bronchos stayed undefeated at 5-0 thanks to a Barrett Whitney three-run blast taking out Arkansas Tech 5-3.

Tech led UCO 1-0 through the first four innings of the game with Whitney's home run putting the Bronchos back on top 3-1.

John Rogers scored on a Drew Bowers double with Bowers soon following after two ATU errors making the score 5-2 and solidifying the win.

Jeremy Leeper's first start of the year was quality scattering six hits and one earned run in 7 1/3 innings to pick up the win.

UCO looks to improve their record Thursday when they host Science and Arts of Oklahoma for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Two of UCO's top wrestlers are looking to leave a big impression on Division II wrestling with the Midwest Regionals and Division II Nationals that are coming up quicker than either wrestler can wrap you in a full nelson, which is saying something.

The shared bond of brotherhood makes these two wrestlers special.

Identical twin brothers Matt

Photo Services

and Mark Dodgen are two of UCO's most predominant wrestlers.

Matt, a senior general studies major, will be defending his national championship at 141.

Matt will fall from No. 1 to No. 3 in the 141 class after an upset loss to then No. 3 Shane Barnes Saturday.

Matt is 23-3 on the year and looking to add another championship ring to his finger.

Mark, a senior physical education major, has returned to finish his last year with Matt after redshirting the 2002 season.

He currently holds the Photo Services No. 1 ranking at 125.

Matt is the No. 3-man at 141.

He will also be seeking Matt and Mark both spend a his second national crown after lot of their free time using, not accomplishing that feat in 2000.

Both have earned All- wrestling but musical talents, American honors while at with their band, which has UCO, Matt in 2002 and Mark recently put out a CD. They are certainly hoping to in 2000, and are both looking make a little music as individuals to make it together this season.

Perhaps a little superstitious and for the returning national tradition holds the key to their champion team during the upcoming Division II National victories.

"Before we begin our match- Duals.

Maybe something to the tune es we pop each others backs, then before we wrestle we hit of Queen's "We Are the Champions". fists", both brothers said.

Mark is No. 1 at 125.

Jones lights up the floor Young golfers to lead No. 17 team

by Ryan Jameson rj@thevistaonline.com If it's a highlight from a UCO basketball game, it's usually from flashy forward Demario Jones.

After consistency problems in the 2001-02 season, Jones, has improved his scoring average from 10 points per game to 18 in 2003, his field goal percentage from 48 to 54 percent, while hitting 44 percent from beyond the three-point line.

The road to UCO has been a long one for Demario, an educa-

Demario Jones

tion major, as his basketball career has taken him all over the United States.

Jones was a superstar prep at Columbia High School in Georgia earning all-state honors as well as a spot on the prestigious McDonald's All-American team.

From there it was off to junior college hitting the hardwood for the College of Sequoias in California, where Demario averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds per game.

He was named Most Valuable Player at three different tournaments during the year.

From JUCO he went to Division I NCAA Basketball at Tennessee State, where he dominated averaging 18 points and 9 Photo Services rebounds per contest.

He departed Tennessee

State for UCO recruited by former Bronchos head coach Jim Seward.

His 2001 season under Seward had its ups and downs scoring in double figures in 14 of 21 games, but the Bronchos only won 10 of 26 outings.

Demario Jones entered ' his senior season with something to prove. A new coach has reinvented his game from earlier on in his career.

UCO is 17 and 6 on the year and one of the top teams in their NCAA Division II Region as well as the Lone Star Conference.

If you see an alley-oop thrown off of the glass and dunked by the same player, you have found Demario Jones, UCO's own basketball star.

by Ryan Jameson rj@thevistaonline.com

—

The 2002 Lone Star Conference Champion UCO Golf team already looks to continue its winning ways ranked No. 17 in the pre-season NCAA Division II-golf-poll.

With the departure of seniors and prominent players Matt Norgaard, Dan Drake, and Dustin Semsch to graduation, the 2003 season could be one of rebuilding for second year head coach Dax Johnston.

UCO is returning only two starters, junior Chris Starke and sophomore Todd Dayton.

However, Dayton will not compete, opting to red shirt this season.

Chris Starke finished up play

earlier this year on fire, finishing second in the Charles Coody West Texas Intercollegiate on Sept. 17 and sixth in the Northeastern State Golf Classic held on Oct. 1.

Underclassmen Justin Barrick, Donnie Martin, Donnie Keim, and Chance Cruson all played contributing roles to the successful season of 2002 but must look to improve and earn a spot in the starting line-up.

Justin Barrick is a 5-10, 137pounder from Kingfisher majors in golf management and may be

the hardest worker on the team and will have the most to prove due to his size.

Chance Cruson is a rare selftaught picture and may benefit the most from Coach Johnston.

Dax Johnston was an immediate success after being handed the reigns from Skip Wagnon.

A former National Champion in 1996, his leadership will be key to keeping the Bronchos on track this year with young talent.

The 2003 golf season opens March 3-4 at the St. Edward's Invitational.

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Ford Center, Oklahoma City Tickets: $6 (regularly $9) All UCO students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited. Purchase tickets by Monday, Feb. 24 from UCO Center for Learning and Professional Development, Nigh University Center, Room 341. For more information, call 974-2420.

Sponsored by UCO Alumni Association, UCO Center for Learning and Professional Development, and UCO Student Services

CLASSIFIEDS

FEBRUARY 20, 2003

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MUST be submitted by noon Tuesday for the Thursday publication, and noon Friday for the Tuesday publication.

Prices: Classified ads cost 3/day for the first 25 words and .12/word thereafter. PAYMENT

IS DUE WHEN AD IS PLACED. Classified Display ads have same deadlines and rices as regular 74-5549 or dis ads.

974-5916 for additional info.

NOTICES ENGLISH CLASSES at the Edmond Language Institute

We teach English as a Second Language and are conveniently located on the UCO Campus at Thatcher Hall.

PHONE: 405-341-2125 *9 LEVELS Intensive Training *NEW SESSION every 4 wks *PRIVATE TUTORING available *PREPARATION for TOEFL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CTR

ESL for Internat'I Students * Prepare for University study * Prepare for the TOEFL * Succeed in a stress-free atmosphere NOW OFFERING GMAT AND GRE CLASSES, CALL FOR DETAILS. 348-7602 info@elcok.com www.elcok.com

SERVICES DENTAL PLAN $11.95

per month single; $19.95 family. No deductibles, no claim forms.

Includes Vision, RX and chiropractic plans. Affordable health and life plans also. Call Michelle at 340-4998.

RENTERS- Get $10,000 coverage for $17-$22 per month! Great auto rates for good students too.

Call Michelle at 340-4998 for free quote. ***ASAP TYPING***

Near campus. Type & edit term papers, writing/editing/research assistance available, ALL formats:APA, ASR, MLA, Turabian, etc. Resumes, manuscripts, novels, theses, database mgmt., or any other computer generated production.

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our circulars. No experience required. Free information packet. Call 203-683-0202.

FAST LANES Supercenter of

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CONSTRUCTION WORK

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APPOINTMENT setters needed for customers and new customers. Job starts March 1. Must have good communication skills, references required. $7/hr + commissions. Call 340-3914.

MOLIERE BRIDAL Salon needs

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Apply at the store, 3600 W Reno.

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IF YOU ARE looking for a rewarding career and enjoy helping people, then consider working for Panhandle Opportunities. We are an agency that provides services for individuals with Developmental Disabilities in their family home.

I have two openings in Edmond with a 22-yr-old male: 2-9pm M-F. Job duties include but not limited to: assist w/bathing, dressing, preparing lunch or dinner.

Community outings such as basketball and football games, movies, etc...

Requirements- Must be at least 18 yrs old, have transportation, able to lift and transfer 168 lbs from wheelchair to vehicle, etc... Must be able to attend required training, paid for by the agency. Contact: PANHANDLE OPPORTUNITIES 844-2085 LOVE WORKING W/CHILDREN? Instructors Needed Children's Development Fitness Center has FT/PT position available for energtic, self-motivated individual seeking career opportunity.

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KICKINGBIRD APARTMENTS, conveniently located next to UCO. Rates starting at $410 with GREAT MOVE-IN SPECIALS! Now open Saturday. Call to set your appointment at 341-2332.

1 & 2 BEDROOM APTS, Duplexes & Townhomes, Kennedy Place Apts, 1010 N Kennedy, Edmond (Across from UCO), 341-7911. Visit us on the web at:

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PT CAREGIVER needed for a

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CITY OF EDMOND is accepting

applications for summer positions: Pelican Bay Aquatic Ctr Lifeguards, Concessions & Cashier staff, Camp Edmond Recreational staff, Golf Course staff, Park Maintenance staff. Job info line 359-4648. Apply at 100 E First, Rm 106. www.ci.edmond.ok.us OPPORTUNITY in financial plan-

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available. www.wealthlink.com/incomefromdebt ASSISTANT needed for Edmond veterinarian at 15th & Santa Fe. Afternoons 1-6pm M-F and every other weekend. Call 341-5634.

THE EDMOND Public Schools Transportation Dept is in NEED of SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS. Free

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Classes run Mon-Thurs, and you must attend all four nights. CALL 340-2962 for class time and place.

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Experts disagree on reasons of high oil prices OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Industry experts can't agree on why crude oil prices are high or when they might return to levels considered normal.

Light, sweet crude oil has increased more than 50 percent on the New York Mercantile Exchange in three months to close Friday at $36.80, up from $24.50 on Nov. 14.

ConocoPhillips chairman Archie Dunham told CBS Marketwatch this week that there is no fundamental reason for crude prices to be as high as they are.

"We have adequate inventories. We have 5 million barrels a day of excess capacity," he said.

"Saudi Arabia continues to produce extra crude to alleviate the anxiety in the marketplace,"

Dunham said.

"We don't have a fundamental shortage. It's all perceived."

"I think once the market recognizes that we do have adequate oil supplies on a global basis, prices will stabilize or go down," Dunham said.

Meanwhile, the nation's oil supply declined another 4.5 million barrels last week, leaving inventories the lowest since 1975 and below what the industry considers necessary for smooth operation.

Others have said demand has been artificially inflated by consumers, refineries and retailers who have stocked up on oil and gas fearing that a war in Iraq or a terrorist attack could drive prices higher in the future.

Consumers are also refilling

more often now and not waiting until their tanks are low.

This has created lines at gas stations and increased total use, Oklahoma City industry observer Bob Rader said.

If prices are high because of uncertainty about possible war or terrorist attack, prices will return to normal once the fear has passed, some say.

Still others attribute the higher crude oil prices to continued below-normal production in Venezuela caused by the nation's 11-week oil strike.

Additional disruption in crude oil supply could lead to shortfalls and fuel rationing in the U.S. and world markets last seen in the 1970s, they say.

"I think that is a very real possibility," said Mickey

Thompson, executive vice president, of the Oklahoma Independent Producers Association in Oklahoma City.

"I'm not an alarmist," Thompson said.

"I have not gone out and bought duct tape and plastic to close up my windows. But there are some pretty grave scenarios you could paint."

The higher oil prices have also meant higher gas prices.

The nationwide average price for diesel hit a record high Friday at $1.73 a gallon.

Regular unleaded is nearing the record mark of $1.72 set in May of 2001, according to AAA statistics.

Friday's average price for regular unleaded was $1.65, up 18 cents in the past month.

In Oklahoma, diesel fuel is less than a penny away from breaking its record high of $1.58, which was set in June 2001, according to AAA Oklahoma.

Oklahoma had the secondlowest statewide average for regular unleaded Friday at $1.54.

The price is up nearly 20 cents in the past month, but still below the record high of $1.73 set in June 2000.

One year ago, regular unleaded gasoline averaged $1.04 in Oklahoma.

What will happen to prices in the future remains to be seen and will depend largely on a return to more normal production in Venezuela and the outcome of a possible conflict with Iraq.

Production in Venezuelan has

increased in recent weeks.

The state-owned monopoly said it produces 2 million barrels of oil daily, but observers say production is closer to 1 million barrels a day.

If war with Iraq is averted or if the United States and its allies win the war quickly with little damage to the region's oil fields, Iraqi production could rapidly increase, causing world oil prices to plunge both because the fear of war would be over and because supply would increase.

If the conflict drags on, prices could rise even higher and faster than they are now.

Log on to www. thevistaonline . corn 24 hours a day for campus news or to sound off on current issues.

Join us for

MEDxtravaganza 2003...

Find out what's new at OSU Center for Health Sciences Friday, March 7 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

(8:00 a.m. Registration) •Breakfast and lunch provided.

An action packed day for pre-med advisors, faculty and prospective students.

A Tour campus and research labs A Meet faculty A Speak with medical and graduate students A Learn about the latest admission trends and tips for application

is hiring for the position of

Circulation Director All Applicants must have ;vehicle and a valid iver's lic e call 974-5549 for more information

RSVP by Thursday, February 27 918-699-8628 or 800-677-1972 bblaster@chs.okstate.edu

SU

OSU Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine 17th & Southwest Boulevard Tulsa, Oklahoma www.healthsciences.okstate.edu