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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2002
UCOSA recognizes organization despite senator's objections
Swinging in the rain
by Mark Schlachtenhaufen ms@thevistaonline.com
Photo by Heather Harkins
Senior Kristina Buzzard of Alpha Xi Delta transfers donation money for the Swing-A-Thon, held near Broncho Lake. It started Oct. 23 and continued through the night until 10 a.m. today.
A UCOSA senator opposes making a campus ministry an official organization due to the historical connotations of a word included in its title. Despite the objection, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the resolution that recognizes Campus Crusade for Christ as an official student organization, which will allow it to receive UCOSA funds, said J.P. Jordan, UCOSA President. During the meeting, a senator said he personally objected to the use of the word "crusade" in the title. Sen Tyler Tully said Campus Crusade for Christ is a Christian ministry that shares the Gospel message with students on college campuses. The objecting senator said he generally wasn't opposed to giving recognition to religious organizations. The word "crusade" could offend international and Muslim students and UCO has many of them, he said. He made reference to the Crusades, which began in the eleventh century. They were a series of military campaigns initiated by European Christians wanting to take the Holy Land from Muslims. The Crusaders sought to gain control of Jerusalem, the birthplace of Jesus. Tully, the author of the resolution, acknowledged his comments and said it was healthy for student government to openly debate the issue. Tully said the UCOSA Senate should no discriminate against legitimate controversial groups. He said he would support the Gay Alliance for Tolerance and Equity with the same fervor as he supports Campus Crusade for Christ. Tully said recognizing Campus Crusade for Christ as an official student organization would be a vote for fairness. At UCO, the organization has been using the less offensive name "Crew," Tully said. The Senate unanimously approved official recognition for the University Center Activities Board. The legislation awaited the signature of UCOSA President J.P. Jordan, who would then deliver it to Dr. Kathryn Gage's office.
Students share traditions in history class. — Page 3
UCAB seeks monetary support Inhofe and Walters debate at town meeting by Lindsay Cooper lc@thevistaordine.com
activity fee to thrive. "Basically, to obtain money from the student activity fee, UCAB has sent in requests and members of the [student activity fee] board vote on whether or not it is an event that will benefit campus and how much money should be given," said Jordan. "UCAB is given money event to event," he said. Member at large Frauna Ridenour said, "I think that acquiring funds through UCOSA instead of Auxiliary Enterprises will help the organization to become more student led instead of Auxiliary led." UCAB was responsible for events on campus such as The Hanging of the Greens banquet, the Laff Olympics games, the Central Follies talent show, the Mr. UCO pageant, and movie night in the Nigh University. UCAB has been on campus for at least 30 years, and President Rachel Clarkson said she is deter-
Members of the University Center Activities Board (UCAB) have submitted their constitution and request for funding to UCOSA. UCAB's petition to be a campus recognized organization recently passed senate and was signed by UCOSA President J.P. Jordan. In order to become official, the bill must be signed by Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Kathryn Gage. UCOSA will not be able to allot a budget to UCAB until fall 2003 and there is a chance it may not happen even then. UCAB previously received funding from Auxiliary Enterprises, which was cut from budget last summer, forcing members of UCAB to reestablish their status on campus and seek temporary means of funding. Currently, UCAB is depend ing on money from the student
see UCAB page 5
by Mark Schlachtenhaufen Kansas to Dallas. Such a train would bring quality jobs to ms@thevistaonline. corn Oklahoma, he said. Incumbent Jim Inhofe and "We ought to look at these challenger David Walters broke big projects and connect these their self-declared truce and major cities and economies exchanged pointed personal together and in attacks during an that way build Oct. 21 town strong jobs for hall meeting. our state," "It's very diffi- Walters said. The candidates for the cult, frankly, to Inhofe, Ropen United Tulsa, said that serve in public States Senate seat while the were questioned office without hav- Crusader has about issues such ing some sort of been cut, anothas Oklahoma's scandal or contro- er mobile corneconomy, milibat system, tary preparedness versy that erupts scheduled to be in light of the sitbecause of the deployed in uation in the responsibilities 2008, would Middle East and bring jobs to illegal campaign that we cover." Oklahoma. contributions. Inhofe said the Walters, a alternative sys— David Walters Democrat, said tem is to be built Democrat he would seek to in Elgin by the form a bipartisan same contractor regional coalition originally assigned to build the to investigate the possibility of Crusader. building a high-speed bullet "It's a happy ending to what train that would run from started out to be an unhappy situation," Inhofe said. However, Walters said the contract has not been awarded to any company and there has been no decision to build the alternative system in Elgin. "It simply isn't gonna happen unless lightning strikes," Walters said. Inhofe said the Clinton administration's anti-defense policies have left the U.S. vulnerable. The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington were a valuable Theresa Smith wake-up call, he said. "Consequently, right now, Tami Box, president of we're in the most vulnerable Golden Key Club, an internaposition that we have been in tional honor society chartered in for a long time and I think 9-11 May 2002, said about 15 of did at least jar people into the Golden Key Club members are reality that we're going to have going to participate. to do something about our mil"All of our members are really itary, to rebuild it," Inhofe said. excited to have a positive effect Walters said if properly manon someone else's life or situaaged the military has plenty of tion," Box said. resources for possible action Pena said individuals and against Iraq. The U.S. governgroups interested in volunteering ment spends about $400 billion should call 974-2621 or just annually on the military, far show up at 9 a.m. at the Nigh more than other countries, he University Center. said. Transportation provided.
Make a Difference Day impacts campus by Summer Pratt sp@thevistaonline.com The UCO Volunteer Center will reach , out to the community during "Make a Difference Day" on October 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. Veronica Pena, coordinator for the Volunteer Center, said so far about 45 UCO students have volunteered to participate, including members from Circle K International, Golden Key Club, Sigma Lambda Gamma and Alpha Tau. Omega. Pena said volunteers will go to Grace Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City, Golden Age Nursing Home in Guthrie and Saint Ann's Home in Oklahoma City. At Grace Rescue Mission volunteers will help clean their kitchen, prepare a meal and work in the clothing room, Pena said. Gerald Lunsford, director of Baptist Mission Center and
Grace Rescue Mission, said the student volunteers are contributing a valuable service to the community. "They'll probably never know the difference they make in a person's life, but I guarantee they will make a difference," he said. Pena said the volunteers will give the Golden Age Nursing Home residents a "day of beauty" through painting nails and styling hair. They will also help run a bingo tournament. Tracy Thornton, activities director at Golden Age Nursing Home, said the residents look forward to seeing new faces during activities like "Make a Difference Day." "We don't have visitors in big groups come real often," she said. Thornton said the residents love being visited by young people. Pena said the volunteers will host a bingo tournament at Saint Ann's Home.
Applications for Miss Black UCO are now available. — Page 3
Inhofe
Walters
But that could change if the war against al-Qaida continues indefinitely, or if other unexpected conflicts arise with nations such as North Korea, Walters said. On the issue of past illegal campaign contributions neither candidate was able to claim moral superiority. In 1990, during the gubernatorial race, the Walters campaign received four illegal checks out of 4,629. Walters said he accepted responsibility for the matter. "It's very difficult, frankly, to serve in public office without having some sort of scandal or controversy that erupts because of the responsibilities that we cover." Walters said Inhofe was charged with a violation in 1986 when he took an illegal $20,000 contribution. The candidates dueled over semantics, arriving at a stalemate. Walters also compared Inhofe's handling of his family business to the practices of Enron executives. Inhofe acknowledged the 1986 violation. He said the Federal Election Commission has not cited his campaign for any violations during the current election cycle. Inhofe said that bipartisan gridlock in Washington orchestrated by Sen. Majority Leader Tom Daschle has delayed badly needed legislation. Inhofe said those wanting change should give Republicans control of the Senate. "We're gonna change this gridlock," Inhofe said. Hecklers periodically interrupted the candidates, gathered in the Metro Tech auditorium. KFOR-4 and KTOK-AM 1000 sponsored the commercial-free 30-minute event.
Thirty-six students traveled to New Mexico over Fall Break as part of a study tour. — Page 10
Over Fall Break women's soccer defeated Texas Woman's 4-0. — Page 8