The Vista July 13, 2000

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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA • Editorial •Sports

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UCO radio program airs nationally PAGE

The Student Voice Since 1903

THURSDAY • JULY

4

13, 2000

UCO receives 3.9 million Most money will be used to renovate Mitchell Hall BY SARAH DAVIS

Staff Writer UCO received $3.9 million in bonds on July 6 from the Oklahoma County Republican Delegation. The money was allocated from $52 million in state capital improvement funds. Most of the money, between $2.5 and $3 million, will be used to renovate UCO's Mitchell Hall Theatre. Three hundred new seats will be added to the theater's existing 609 seats. The exact location of the new seats is currently being planned, said Mitchell Hall director Jim Poe.

The theater's restrooms and the lobby will also be renovated. Construction is expected to begin in May or June 2001 and will take about a year to complete. "Of all the ongoing projects we have at UCO, the Mitchell Hall improvements are big enough to make a difference yet small enough to not exceed the budget," said Keith Weber, research assistant to the president. Larger audiences will lead to increased revenue for the theater, Weber said. The remaining bond money will be used to purchase land west of the

campus. Aquired land will most likely be used to build university offices and retail space. "There will be a connection between downtown businesses and UCO. We're hoping to create a campus corner," said Weber. Bookstores, coffee shops and stores with UCO apparel would be featured on the campus corner. "The new businesses will provide places for students to hang out," said Weber. Areas being considered for construction include lots on Campbell, Hurd and other streets surrounding UCO, Weber said. •

Date rape allegations prompt suspension firefighters told DPS officers that the student may have been raped. Staff Writer "I said 'Did you have sex prior to the he fate of a UCO man accused of police being called?' She said, 'yes,' while raping a female student in East Hall shaking her head up and down crying," on July 3 remains undecided. according to the officer's account in the Kyle Don Fincher, freshman, was police report. "I asked, 'Did you want to released on $25,000 bond have sex?' She started July 6. crying harder and shaking "... it is stand and Although the district her head 'No."' attorney has not filed The victim, two of her procedure to d ismiss charges against Fincher, male friends and Fincher UCO issued him a letter had been drinking vodka a student that may be telling him to leave that night. a danger until UCO campus until furthur After the victim passed notice, said Capt. Chris out, her two male friends can determine if that Wooldridge of the UCO left. Fincher remained and Department of Public raped her, according to the student should be allowed Safety (DPS). victim's account in the to remain on campus." "The matter is being police report. looked into. But it is This is not Fincher's standard procedure to first brush with the law. He —anonym ous university dismiss a student that may pled guilty to an assault official be a danger until UCO and battery charge in 1997. can determine if that student should be University officials conducted a meeting allowed to remain on campus," said a UCO in East Hall on July 6 to inform hall official who asked to remain anonymous. residents of the incident and ease their When officers arrived at the female concerns about the situation. student's dorm room, she was disoriented, "When I was a college student, I hated it unable to speak clearly, and unable to lift when people in authority didn't tell me herself from the bed, according to UCO what was going on. I want to be open with DPS reports. the students and let them know everything The Edmond Fire Department soon I can about a given situation," said Todd arrived. After speaking with the victim, the Duncan, director of residence life. • BY JARROD BRILEY

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PHOTO PROVIDED

Fourth fun for all ... (above) Fireworks light up the sky over UCO July 4 during Edmond's 27th annual LibertyFest celebration. (right) Rachel Clarkson, Miss Indian UCO, waves to the crowd in downtown Edmond during the LibertyFest parade.

PHOTO PROVIDED


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