Celebrating 100 Years
THEVIsrA The Student Voice Since 1903
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2003
BSA stomps lively
dance competition by Rachael Tully Staff Writer To celebrate the last night of Homecoming Week, student organizations competed in a cheer and dance competition in Hamilton Field House Oct. 3. Eleven student organizations performed live in front of nearly 800 Central students. "Tonight was a fantastic way to see everyone's school spirit," said Brad Frizell, junior political science major and emcee of the event. The cheerleaders and pom squad held a pep rally to pump excitement into the crowd before the competition, said Brandy Copeland, cheer and porn coach. "The Greek houses showed awesome support tonight," Copeland said. "We hope
tonight inspires more students to attend games." Before the competition, football players awarded the Greeks Bearing Gifts spirit award to Acacia fraternity for outstanding school support. Daina Dill, sophomore elementary education major, performed as a cheerleader and dancer for Sigma Kappa sorority. "It was fun performing as a cheerleader and dancing for Sig Kap. The crowd was so responsive tonight," she said. Chase Craig, freshmen forensic science major, said his favorite part of the evening was the performance of the Black Student Association. "The energy they had brought everyone to their feet," he said. "They definitely stole the show."
•
And that they did. First place was the BSA, second was Sigma Kappa and third was a tie between Acacia and Alpha Gamma Delta. Students said that the night helped inspire football players to win Saturday's game. "The events tonight produced a great atmosphere," said Megan Benda, senior corporate communications major. "The student energy made us bleed bronze and blue on the field." Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Nu, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Alpha Zi Delta, Acacia, the Black Student Association, Alpha Tau Omega, Alpha Gamma Delta, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Kappa were the student organizations that participated Friday night.
Photo by Gavin Elliott
Adam McClain, Brian Tomasek, Kyle Ray and Zach Stephens prepare for the Pi Kappa Alpha Mile of Pennies Oct. 8. Proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross Foundation.
Pikes raise money for Red Cross by Rick Russick Staff Writer
Photo by Gavin Elliott
Megan Chambers speaks at her impeachment hearing Oct 7.
Suites Hall Council holds impeachment hearing by Sherrod Wall Staff Writer Megan Chambers, president of Suites Hall Council and Stephen Horn the 4th floor RA in the Suites debated over the issue of Chambers impeachment on Oct. 8. "I'm the 4th floor RA but I am not here this evening in that role, I am here like you a concerned suites resident," said Horn. Horn started his argument by defining what an impeachable offense is by quoting a law professor from Northwestern University "Impeachable offenses are which demonstrate a fundamental betrayal of public trust. They suggest the official has failed in his duty" "We must now ask ourselves a question, Has Megan Chambers failed in her duites as President of Suites hall Council?" "Suites Hall Council is supposed to be an environment where you the student can come seeking change." Horn said that Chambers' meetings have no real agenda. Horn quoted from the Suites Hall Council Constitution: As president of the Suites Hall Council it is the president's duty to organize all meetings, Suites Hall functions, and establish and maintain untiy and order in the dub.
" She has repeatedly failed in this, and the only until she has created is unified discontent." "You [Chambers] said you went door to door to say when all the suites hall council meetings were, this is my first one because I've only known about one of them I don't know if that's my fault, but if youre not impeached what will you do to see if everyone knows about them?" said Tyler Head, a resident of the suites. Another • sutics resident commented by saying that Suites Hall Council is doing a good job but that you can't expect a good turn out if residents have no idea what the agenda is going to be. Chambers began her counter argument by stating her personal opinion on the petition created a few weeks earlier. "I was for the petition ive always said that. I think it gets people who would not ordinarily be involved in the petition involved," she said. "I admit for a week I was kind of bitter, but I wont hold hard feelings because I'm just not that kind of person." Chambers replied to Horn's quoting the Suites Hall Council Consitution by telling the audience about how much work she has put into advertising for previous meetings, . The first meeting we ever had on the flier it said we will be signing up to run for office, the third meeting I personally went over to copycat and
made 150 copies with my money and posted them on every door," she said. "I know she's trying her hardest and it's very hard to do what she's doing, the same way I'm having a hard time working and going to school, so I can just imagine doing this," said Blake Lippert, another resident. "I just think that it's ridiculous that its come up to this," he said. Chambers said that she is willing to work with the commitee to improve the way meetings are run. "I would like to make a committee, like I said last year and this year, to let people know by word of mouth," she said. Chambers said that she will consider the petition and the impeachment attempt as positive criticism. "I will consider this as positive critcism. I just wish somebody would have said something was wrong because honestly I did not know anything was wrong, and I want better suites Hall council," she said. "I understand now what I am doing wrong , and how we need to change and before this happened we were talking about amending the consititution." If Chambers is impeached, the council's vice president will become president. However should the vice president choose not to assume the office, then the office will be open to whoever wants to run.
The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity will raise money for the American Red Cross 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 8 through 11 in front of the Liberal Arts Building and Business Building. As part of a pledge requirement, students will stretch rolls of duct tape from one building to the other and will stick pennies and other change to it. Greg Medford, public relations chair for PKA, said the idea stemmed from the events of Sept. 11, 2001. "I wanted to figure out a
way to contribute to the Red Cross, and this just seemed like a great way to do it," he said. Medford said the fundraising event usually requires about three members but about 8 to 10 members volunteer in the effort. He said that the average amount raised annually is $600. "We did extremely well the first year when we managed to raise about $650, but unfortunately, last year wasn't quite as successful for us," he said. Medford said the donations totaled $300 last year, but said he hopes for $1000 or more this year.
"The challenge we face is that students just walk by and either don't take notice or they don't give anything," he said. "Everyone keeps spare change at home, so there shouldn't be a problem with giving," Clay Gray, fund-raising chair for the fraternity, said he likes the unity that exists between members of PKA. He said that becoming involved in community efforts such as "Miles of Pennies" creates a brotherhood and a cornmon link among the students. "It's great to have friends in PKA who are like brothers. You can always count on them and they will always watch your back," he said.
GATE to hold lake-side vigil by Rick Russick Staff Writer Central's Gay Alliance for Tolerance and Equality student organization will hold a Candlelight Vigil to celebrate National Coming Out Day at 8 p. in. Oct. 9 at Broncho Lake. More than 30 students are expected to attend. The purpose of GATE is to provide a support group for students who are concerned with gender identity issues, the social aspects of alternate lifestyles, and promoting selfesteem within its network. Dr. Kole Kleeman, associate journalism professor and gay rights advocate said that he commends all that participate in the event. "Coming out says to the world 'I am not ashamed of
who I am and I am part of the mix in American society,'" he said. Kleeman said he believes everyone in the gay community should have the right to share their freedoms just like anyone else. He said the need to "come out" stems from the social inequality and cultural prohibitions once imposed against the gay community. "The Gay Pride movement began in the 1960s because gays were once placed in mental hospitals and men were even castrated," Kleeman said.
When asked why gay people have the need to "come our of the closet," he said that inequality and tension creates that need. Kleeman said that society has pointed the finger of judgment at the gay and lesbian
community for so long that gay people feel ashamed. He said that when someone feels so ashamed and his or her self-esteem grows poor, suicide could result. "All people are special," said Kleeman. "You should have the right to be who you are." He said that lack of knowledge within the heterosexual community have created misunderstandings about gays. "Gay people are not sick. Being gay is not an illness. We are humans just like' anyone else. This is who we are. The only difference between us [and any other member of society] is our sexual orientation," he said. For more information, contact Mandy Whitten, GATE advisor, at 974-6726.