Celebrating 100 Years
The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2003
Film festival to host acclaimed film on HIV by Rick Russick Staff Writer Central will host the Second Annual Out-OK International Film Festival Nov. 6 through Nov. 8. The festival will showcase the internationally acclaimed film "The Gift" at Pegasus Theatre in the Liberal Arts Building at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6. A discussion led by a fivemember panel will follow the film. At least one of the panel members is HIV positive. Dr. Kole Kleeman, associate professor of journalism and media studies, said that all of the films shown during the festival are internationally acclaimed and of high quality. He said that although most of the films will be steered toward gay and lesbians, some of the films will focus on heterosexuals as well.
"I believe the university is a place to expose students and the community to other cultures and lifestyles," Kleeman said. "Film is a perfect medium to do that." He said that years of research and advances in combating the disease have made people less sensitive to AIDS, and many do not think they will catch it. " The Gift' is an interesting film for students to see because unfortunately, people think AIDS is no longer a problem. They think all they have to do is take a pill and they'll be OK. Obviously, this is not the case," he said. The film is a documentary that focuses around the story of two gay men who share the desire to become HIV positive. Dr. Joan Luxenburg, professor of sociology and criminal justice, said that "the gift" is when someone, who is HIV infected, gives the disease or "the gift" to some-
one who wants the disease. Luxenburg said that in actuality, only a small number of mentally unbalanced people want "the gift." Other issues the film deals with are "bug chasing" and "barebacking." "Although bare-backing is a term commonly used among homosexuals, bug chasing is used primarily only in Internet chat rooms," she said. Luxenburg said that bug chasers are HIV negative people who want to become HIV positive. The bug juice is the HIVinfected semen. "Gift givers are HIV positive who are willing to infect bug chasers, all of which are contacting each other on the Internet," she said. "Bare-backing refers to unprotected anal sex with multiple partners." She said that people who are interested in acquiring the gift
usually do not openly tell others. Most of the time, she said bug chasers and gift givers will go to web sites that only cater to their interests. "Sometimes it's a turn-on to be able to tell someone on the Internet they are infected," Luxenburg said. When asked why someone would want to be given AIDS, she said that they are usually lonely and want to feel a part of something. "You have to understand that, first of all, those who want the gift are actually in the minority. Second, most of them are usually mentally unbalanced," she said. Luxenburg said that those who want the disease do not want to commit suicide, rather it is an issue of guilt. "They have a sense of survivor's guilt. `I've watched everyone around me die, so why haven't I died?' they may ask," she
said. "They watch friends . die around them and they wonder why they are still alive." Rather than being full-fledged bug chasers, these people may actually just wish to become converted from HIV negative to HIV positive, she said. "It is very difficult to understand why there is an erotic draw for one person to deposit an infected load into another," she said. John Doneti, who is a licensed psychological counselor, who has led support groups for HIV negative partners, will be on the panel along with Terry Dennison, director of educational services of Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma. Luxenburg, who has taught courses on HIV and AIDS issues, will also be on the panel. Kleeman, who teaches, Gay and Lesbians in Film and Media, will be moderating.
OktoberWest gives residents a moment to relax at fall's end by Rachael Tully Staff Writer The residents of the West Hall dorms celebrated the end of fall with a piogram called "Oktober West" Oct. 29. Ornamented with leaves and pumpkins, the West Hall lobby hosted a karoke concert, a root beer chugging contest and a German yodeling competition for 50 Central students. Stephanie Bowman, director of West Hall, said "Oktober West" was designed and carried out by all ten resident assistants (RAs). "The RAs were the creative force behind tonight," she said. "The program is for the residents to just have fun, hang out and relax," Bowman said. • Cory Greer, junior early childhood education major and RA, provided Halloween cookies and refreshments for the program. "Many students have had a stressful week," she said. "'Oktober West' is a time for everyone to have fun while celebrating the end of the season." Courtney French, sophomore corporate communication major, had three tests this week and said that the night helped relieve stress. "Tonight helped me not worry about what was due tomorrow,"
Photo by Justin Avera
Residents Mindy Harmon, Lauren Fotenopulos, Stephanie Bowman, Shannon Fritts and Cory LynneGreer sing karaoke during West Hall's OktoberWest Oct. 29. she said. "It let me just have fun, let loose and not care about school." Students said the highlight of the evening was the karoke concert. Students filled the lobby of
West Hall with lyrics from Britney Spears, N'Sync, Sisquo, Christina Aguilaria and the Righteous Brothers. Mindy Harmon, elementary education major, said the funniest part of the night was when RA
Courtney French sang "Unchained Melody." "She made us all laugh," Harmon said. "Several girls started couple dancing to the song." Sara Ivon, senior public relations major and RA, said she
enjoyed the program. "`Oktober West' showed the unity of the women of west," Ivon said. To date, the West Hall RAs have put on 192 activities for the 450 residents, Bowman said.
Professor Jill Kelsey
Lecture to center on study tour by Neely Tucker Student Writer Central's College of Liberal Arts monthly lecture series will be presented by participants of the on-site study tour of New York City's broadcast and print media. "The Nov.4 presentation will briefly review the intent and makeup of the course; cover in detail the New York tour and encourage faculty to reach beyond the bounds of UCO and Oklahoma to introduce themselves and their students to broader horizons," said Jill Kelsey, Journalism Department Instructor/ Intern Coordinator. The open-to-the-public lecture will take place in the College of Liberal Arts Pegasus Theater, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. Twelve students and 2 instructors participated in the 3-part study entitled "Old and New, New York City Study Tour." "The course was two weeks long, with one week studying the roots an evolution of print and broadcast journalism in New York City and one week in the Big Apple exploring current and emerging media," said Kelsey. The student's also toured newspaper sites and national landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Fills Island, said Kelsey. "The study tour course was the fulfillment of a dream I've had to take a group of students to New York City to absorb the Big Apple's communication industry first hand," said Kelsey. Dr. T.H. Baughman, College of Liberal Arts Dean, initiated the lecture series to foster education within the community, showcase faculty expertise and provide students with the chance to relate to faculty members in a non-classroom setting. For more information on the "Old and New, New York City Study Tour" lecture, contact Kelsey at 9745914.
West Hall is accepting applications for next semester's resident assistants. For more information, call Stephanie Bowman at 974-4759.
1st Amendment Congress to educate students about Freedom of Information Act, threats to liberty Press Association. There will be guest speakStaff Writer ers including Attorney General Drew Edmondson, The "Fifth Annual First who will discuss the Friend of Amendment Congress" will be Court Brief filed by the 50 Nov. 6 and 7 in Constitution state Attorney Generals conHall. cerning the constitutionality November 6 from 9 a.m. to of the Pledge 2:30 p.m. is of Allegiance, `Education and its line Day,' a day "It's important that one nation, designed for students understand under God." anyone interDr. Mark ested in helpthat they can lose Hanebutt, a ing young their freedoms." Central jourpeople under—Dr. Mark Hanebutt nalism professtand the First sor, attends the Amendment. Freedom of Information November 7 is Oklahoma meetings that are `Professional Day,' from 8:30 held several times a year. a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hear the "The FOI is a group of award-winning essays from people that generally believe this year's First Amendment government should be open, Congress student writing conthat Americans have a right to test, at the 12 p.m. lunch, access information," sponsored by the Oklahoma
by Lauren Pulsinelli
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Hanebutt said. FOI usually consists of people in government, libraries, and education. They review laws proposed by the
state legislature. One reason students should attend according to Hanebutt is, "Because our freedoms are being jeopar-
dized today more than ever before, and it's important that students understand that they can lose their freedoms. Deadline for registration is
Nov. 4. This event is sponsored by Freedom of Information Oklahoma. For more information call 3413169.
Iraqi reconstruction debated by Sherrod Wall Staff Writer • Two UCO debaters argued two different viewpoints concerning U.S. involvement in the reconstruction of Iraq. James Davis, a 3rd year debater, advocated full U.S. withdrawal from Iraqi soil, while Justin Schuffert, a 2nd year debater, opposed his viewpoint, believing that the U.S. should remain in Iraq to coordinate its reconstruction. "It took me awhile to decide
what the best way to reconstruct Iraq was, and then it hit me, why should I advocate reconstruction at all?" Davis said. Davis supported his stance with three principals, first, the continuation of U.S. occupation in Iraq will cause more death and destruction, second, the motive behind the war and third, reconstruction is flawed and rejection of the continuation of colonization. "Even though there are benefits that may come from occupation,
they will all end and actually turn upon themselves and become more hatred, more terrorism, and more irresponsibility at the idea that the United States should control and dominate the world, as it tries to through activities such as Iraq," he said. Davis said the point of the war in Iraq is for big corporations and oil, thus moved from to his second principle. The motives. of the United States do not lie with the well being
of the Iraqi's and the reconstruction of their government, but to "show me the money", Davis said. The United Electric Radio and Machine Workers of America were quoted in his argument: "The administrations creation of regional free-trade zones is actually an indication that reconstruction is taking place to benefit America big business not Iraqi people." "Let there be no mistake
see debate page 3