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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
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THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2003
New law puts out smokers, or at least 25 feet away by Jim Epperson III Senior Writer
Photo by Tina Fowble
Ashley Taylor, marketing senior, and Jason Carroll, general education senior, smoke their cigarettes July 14 outside the Art Building.
Smoking in front of entrances and exits to campus buildings will be prohibited beginning Sept 1. A joint resolution, passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives and State Senate, banned smoking in and in front of public buildings and in public cars. State property is almost essentially a tobacco-free area, said Don Powers, director of Quality Assurance and Safety Management. "Smoking can occur only in designated areas, and the designated areas are outside the building, 25 feet away from the entries and exits," Powers said Powers said decals will be placed on the major entrances
and exits on UCO buildings before the fall semester begins. "If we have a problem, we will call on our uniformed officers to take care of it, because it is state law and a misdemeanor to violate it," Powers said. If convicted of the misdemeanor, smokers could face a fine between $10 and $100, Powers said. , Powers said the law was passed because non-smokers complained about "running through the smoke gauntlet." Smoker Jason Carroll, a general education major, said he agrees with the law but thinks UCO should designate smoking areas. "I think having a designated smoking area would be better than an ambiguous 25-foot smoking rule," he said.
Mud overwhelms Broncho One by Jim Epperson III Senior Writer Residents at Broncho Apartments are complaining about mud in their apartments. Resident Josh Harjo, a business sophomore, said about a month ago, construction on the apartments' backed up sewer system began. He said after the company completed the work on the sewer system, they left piles of dirt lining the apartments' sidewalk. "As soon as the work was done, it started raining and mud got everywhere," Harjo said. The rain caused the twofoot piles of dirt to turn into mud that then slid onto the sidewalk in front of the doors of the apartments, he said. "They just left it like that," Harjo said. David Holmes, director of Housing, said the dirt must settle before it can be compressed.
"They usually leave it for a little while," Holmes said. He said cleaning will begin this week. Resident Jennifer Collins, a political science sophomore, said she is tired of all the mud on her six-year-old daughter's shoes. Looking at a pile of huge concrete slabs of what was once the sidewalk, Collins said, "I feel like I'm living in the projects, and my daughter gets the privilege of playing on broken sidewalk." Another problem at the apartment complex is from water dripping out of the window air conditioning units that hang over the sidewalk. Resident Christina Perrine, an interior design sophomore, said she put a mat under the air unit because it caused a large mud pool. "There are mud tracks all through my apartment," Perrine said.
Old North still needs cash by Robert T. Crauthers Staff Writer
Photo by Tina Fowble
A plumbing problem has plagued the residents of Broncho Apartment's with mud.
UCO is searching for funding to finish renovations to the 110year-old Old North Tower, said Charlie Johnson, UCO News Bureau director. "They're constantly looking for private sources," Johnson said. The previous renovations, which included a new roof and exterior reconditioning, were paid for through a state bond. UCO might have to wait for another state bond to finish the building, Johnson said, but it is going to be a while.
Briefly in Broncholand... by Robert T. Crauthers Staff Writer
Demolition derby coming Sublett & Associates of Moore, Okla., is currently removing asbestos from the partially demolished East Hall, said Charlie Johnson, UCO News Bureau director. The anticipated completion date of the removal is July 25. Midwest Wrecking Co. will then come in to level the building, Johnson said. "The destruction will take place over a two-week period," he said. "But it should be done by midAugust." East Hall was partially destroyed in preparation of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training exercise in April.
Utilities near fall deadline The majority of major campus improvements through the performance contract with Johnson Controls will be completed in September, said Don Powers, director of Quality Assurance and Safety Management.
The contract is part of a 20-year, $8.9 million deal, which will update the electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems on campus. Johnson Controls will be paid with the money the university saves on utilities over the 20-year period. What still remains of the contract will be completed this year, said Powers. "Cleanup should be finished by December," he said.
Lake project almost done The first of a two-part renovation to Broncho Lake is close to completion, said Charlie Johnson, UCO News Bureau director. A canopy over the western seating area, seating on the east side, a new deck and a waterfall were improvements made over the last couple of months, he said. The waterfall, which was estimated to take 45 days to finish, is still on schedule, Johnson said. The second phase includes another deck, covered seating, landscaping, lighting and possibly a gazebo, he said. UCO is seeking private sources to fund the second phase.
Photo by Tina Fowble
Demolition of East Hall has been delayed until August.