a student newspaper of the university of tulsa
march 11, 2013 issue 20 ~ volume 98
Sequester may harm Oklahoma education Oklahoma:
587
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Job Losses: 703
Cuts $347,000
Federal Work Study Cuts $511,000 Affected 5,990
Affected 12,380
TRIO
Cuts $1,240,000
days since Congress passed sequestration
Affected 1,295
Nationally:
$49 million cut from work study
33,000 students lose work study grants
1,000 fewer National Science Foundation grants
= 100
= 1,000
= 100,000
= 1,000
Graphic by Jill Graves
The sequestration, to take effect on Oct. 1, will result in cuts in work study grants, National Science Foundation grants and TRIO disadvantaged student services, among others, locally and nationally. Oklahoma information comes from the National Education Association. National information comes from the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation. All figures are estimates.
Work-study grants, financial aid supplements and research grants are among the sources of funding that could suffer from acrossthe-board cuts to the federal budget. Kalen Petersen Editor-in-Chief
Will Bramlett Student Writer
T
he sequester, a series of automatic across-the-board cuts in U.S. government spending, took effect on March 1. Congress created the sequester in the Budget Control Act of 2011 as a “worstcase scenario” to force Congress to address the rising U.S. debt. The 8.2-percent cuts were origi-
nally set to be triggered at the end of 2012, but a last-minute deal between Democrats and Republicans pushed back the deadline until March and reduced the cuts to 5.1 percent of non-exempt, nondefense spending. After President Barack Obama signed the sequester into law, government agencies were given until Oct. 1 to cut $85 billion from their collective budgets. Sequestration will result in reduced funding for a wide range of domestic priorities, from the sciences to early child care—and education is no exception. While Pell grants are exempt from the cuts this year, the sequester will nonetheless impact higher education. Federal work-study grants will be cut by $49 million, while supplemental grants for students with exceptional financial
need will be reduced by $37 million, according to U.S. News and World Report. Additionally, the Department of Education will be reducing TEACH grants, which go to future educators who plan to work in underprivileged communities, prompting some colleges to with-
promised because of the sequestration,” she said. The National Association of Financial Aid Administrators, an advocacy group, has released a list of the estimated impact on work-study and opportunity grants for universities nationwide. The effect on Oklahoma schools var-
“I could lose all or part of a grant I had been promised because of the sequestration” hold the grants until Congress clarifies its budget. Elisabeth*, a prospective student at the private Oklahoma Baptist University, said that the sequester has made her college plans more difficult. “I received an email stating that I could lose all (or) part of a grant I had been
ies: the private Oklahoma Baptist University will see no reduction in work-study aid, according to the report, while students at the public University of Oklahoma will face a $31,000 cut. TU was not listed on the NAFSFAA list, however, several of its “peer and aspirant schools” face
cuts, including Tulane at $19,400 less work-study money and Rice at $15,700. The administration said that less federal money could go to financial aid via unsubsidized student loans, but Pell Grants are safe. In an e-mail Friday, President Steadman Upham said, “TU remains fiscally sound. The university is on track to balance its 2012-13 operating budget.” The year’s budget “addresses many of the requests of deans and vice presidents for additional positions and program enhancements while providing a 3 percent raise pool for employees,” the e-mail said. In addition to impacting individual students, the sequester may affect TU as a whole. Although
See Sequester page 5
Junior Achievement Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization partnering with volunteers from the community to teach elementary students about their roles as individuals, workers and consumers. 12 volunteers are needed who can commit 1 hour a week for 5 weeks and the initial 90 minute training. Campus Wide-Baby Shower This is the first ever True Blue and Pink Campus Wide Baby Shower. Collection tubs will be placed across campus to collect items for infants and children, birth to 5-years-old. Clothing and items such as car seats, strollers, or high-chairs may be gently used, clean items. Other needs will be sent out in an email and also on Campus Connection, Facebook, and Twitter updates.
For more information on any of these opportunities, contact Kathy Shelton in the True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center at kathy-shelton@utulsa.edu, call 918-631-3535 or come by Holmes Student Center room 25.
Sports
11 March 2013
the Collegian : 2
Big 12 by another name may be as inaccurate
Realigning college conferences have left the unclaimed members of what was previously the Big 12 without a name, prompting the question of just how conference naming should be done. J. Christopher Proctor Foreign Correspondent
Will Bramlett/ Collegian
Tulsa Senior Samantha Cobb slides in for one of the two runs she scored in the seemingly unstoppable Hurricane’s game against the Oklahoma State University Lady Cowboys on Wednesday.
Herd struggles to thunder in Hurricane country The Hurricane softball team pitched, swung, and caught its way to another few victories this week, including its first home contest, furthering a so-far stellar 2013 season. Amanda Schenk Student Writer
The University of Tulsa women’s softball team defeated its in-state rivals Oklahoma State 5–1 in front of 800 fans in its season home opener on Wednesday. Senior Lacey Middlebrooks started the seven-inning game on the mound for the Golden Hurricane, and pitched four innings, enough to give her the win and increasing her record to 6–2 on the season. Junior Aimee Creger pitched the final three innings. Tulsa began the scoring in the third inning with three runs after a double by junior Jill Barrett knocked in one run and a single by junior Haley Henshaw scored the remaining two runners on base. Scoring continued for the Golden Hurricane in the fourth inning, when senior short-
stop Samantha Cobb and Middlebrooks each had RBI hits. OSU’s only run came as a solo home run off Middlebrooks in the bottom of the fourth. Middlebrooks only allowed two hits in her four innings, and Creger struck out six of 12 batters faced. All in all, the Golden Hurricane had 10 base hits in the game, with Barrett going 3-for-4 with an RBI and Cobb going 2-for3. Cobb also had one RBI and crossed home plate twice for Tulsa. “I really liked the way that we started hitting the ball after the first time through the line up,” Head Coach John Bargfeldt said. On Saturday, Tulsa swept a double-header against Marshall, winning 6–0 and 9–6, in large part due to 14 thrown strikeouts and six RBI by Creger, followed up with a third, 8–0 win Sunday, in which Creger thew 11 strikeouts and allowed Marshall one hit. The team looks toward the conference play portion of the season, with games against Indiana State and conference opponent Memphis before attending the University of Las Vegas-Nevada Rebel Classic, Mar. 22–24 in Nevada.
Last week, I ranted about conference realignment and how the conference likely to be Tulsa’s next home has found itself lacking a name. I modestly proposed that is should be called the “Conference of Misfit Teams,” but this week we learned that former Big East is considering rebranding itself the “America 12.” While the conference denies having any favorites when it comes to the new name, an unidentified and but credible inside source told ESPN that it is “possible” that “America 12” is the front-runner. The ESPN report also said that “Tulsa is the only school the league is considering to become its 12th member,” in case last week’s wild speculation by this Collegian writer wasn’t enough to convince readers. So, as the newspaper of a school that may join a conference still in the process of choosing a new name, it is our solemn duty to belligerently criticize said name and suggest alternatives. First and foremost, how could anyone who has followed college athletics, even casually, think that putting a number in your conference name is a good idea? Ask the 14 schools in the Big Ten or the ten schools in the Big 12 how well that has worked for them. I guess that what has easily been the most volatile conference—outside of the disbanded Western Athletic Conference— hopes that putting a number on its name will instill in its members a numerically-driven sense of loyalty. Also, on the subject of the “12,” there are currently only 11 members in the conference. While Tulsa seems to be ready to join
Members of the little-known Tulsa Fencing Club meet to practice this TRG JOB #: time-tried sport, with available SBU-13-0015 classes and dueling events. CLIENT: SMU
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No numbers of anticipated membership Nothing that sounds too close to Conference USA No direct references to regions of the country (the Big East trying to add San Diego State showed the folly in this one) Take a look at our staff picks and if you have any better ideas email us at collegian@ utulsa.edu and we’ll publish them next week. New Conference Name COLLEGIAN STAFF PICKS
Stephanie Hice, Variety Editor: Brotherly Love and Companionship Conference Patrick Creedon, Opinions Editor: District America Conference Kalen Peterson, Editor-in-Chief: American 12 Connor Fellin, News Editor: Confederation of Teams that Play Sportsball Kyle Walker, Managing Editor: Watch the Football Conference Aubry Midkiff, Sports Editor: Adjective Number Sports Conference Tim Nissen, State-Run Media Editor: If Only I Knew More About Sports Conference Jill Graves, Graphics Editor: The Little Orphan Conference
Tulsa on the fence
THE RICHARDS GROUP
A year of preparation. A lifetime of success.
any day, this would still mean that in the conference’s first year, the number would not accurately represent membership. On to the “America” part. I love America. I love all things American. I think using something American-sounding was generally a good idea for sports-related names. But for a conference that is going to be actively fighting the accusation that it is basically just the old Conference USA—as nine of the 12 members in 2014 will be former C-USA teams, assuming Tulsa joins— picking a name clearly derived from the old conference might not be the best idea. Sure, we’re not really going to fool anyone with a fancy new name, but trying couldn’t hurt our image. So here are the rules for coming up with a new name:
V
M Gouran
TITLE: ictoria c Cox Masters Program Print
Staff Writer PUB: Collegian
INSERTION: Fencing 3/11/13
has been around since 1200 A.D., some still question its status as a legitimate sport. What might surprise nayCOLOR: CMYK sayers is that fencing has been part of the LINE SCREEN: Olympic Games since 1898, and there have SNAP/85 been many famous historical figures who FOR QUESTIONS CALL: loved to fence, including Theodore RoosJennifer Duncan evelt, General George Patton, Bo Derek and 214.891.5808 Paul Newman. These tidbits about the sport are common knowledge among the numerous locals who participate in the Tulsa Fencing Club. This group, which has been around since the 1960’s, is composed of members of the United States Fencing Association, and those who participate in the group hope to making fencing cool again. Their goals are to provide a high level of instruction in the area and preserve the history and traditions of fencing. The club believes that fencing is a sport for all age groups, and offers numerous classes for varying abilities in foil, épée and sabre, as well as open bouting and different USFA-sanctioned tournaments throughout the year. The three weapons are the traditional equipment of fencing, and each is used to attack a different portion of the body. The foil is a light, thrusting weapon that targets the torso, neck and groin, but not the TRIM: however, 5.125" x 10.5"
arms. Points are scored only by touching the tip of the weapon and hits with the side of the blade do not count. The sabre is a light cutting weapon that targets the entire torso, including the hands. Hits with the edges of the blade are valid points. Finally, the épée is a heavier weapon that targets the entire body—once again, hits with the side of the blade do not count and all points must be scored with the tip of the sword. However, unlike the sabre and the foil, this style allows fighters to score using simultaneous hits and does not require “right of way” attacking. The tip of any of these fencing weapons is the second fastest moving object in sports after a marksman’s bullet. The fencing club’s new Duel at Dawn event simulates the dramatic duels of a bygone era. This event takes place periodically throughout the year when—for an entry fee of five dollars—participants can battle in pairs at dawn until three victors are named. The event is held outside and has previously taken place amidst snow, heat waves and rain storms. While Duel at Dawn events are usually reserved for the more experienced fencers, recently several younger members of the club have been included in the event. This is particularly impressive considering that fencing is the only sport in which there are no weight classes—the young fencers must defend themselves not only against superior tacticians but also against fencers with more strength and body mass. To join the Tulsa Fencing Club or take a class, visit www.tulsafencing.com for more information on the club and its events.
In just one year, SMU Cox master’s programs for recent college graduates prepare you for day one of your career. Contact us for more information and register for an info session at coxmasters.com.
Dallas Open House: March 26
Photo courtesy Tulsa Fencing Club
Members of the Tulsa Fencing Club strike a pose after a Duel at Dawn. Fred Starkweather (second left) placed second, club President Jeff Starkweather (middle left) placed first, and Hunter Starkweather (middle right) placed third.
SMU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution.
SBU130015 Cllgn 5_1x10_5.indd 1
3/6/13 8:37 AM
Sports
the Collegian : 3
11 March 2013
2013 CONFERENCE USA MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Wednesday-Saturday, March 13-16, 2013 - BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla. Wednesday March 13
Thursday March 14
Friday March 15
Saturday March 16
(2) Southern Miss (23-8, 12-4) (7) UAB (15-16, 7-9)
Noon (CBSSN)
3:30 p.m.
(10) SMU (15-16, 5-11) (3) UTEP (17-13, 10-6) (6) Houston (18-11, 7-9)
3 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
2:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
6 p.m.
(11) Rice (5-25, 1-15)
10:35 a.m. (CBS)
CHAMPION
(1) Memphis (27-4, 16-0) (8) Tulane (18-13, 6-10)
6 p.m. (CBSSN)
8:30 p.m.
(9) Marshall (13-18, 6-10)
5:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
(4) East Carolina (18-11, 9-7) 8:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
All times are CDT
(5) Tulsa (16-14, 8-8)
2013 Conference USA Women’s Basketball Championship Wednesday-Saturday, March 13-16, 2013, Tulsa, Okla. Wednesday March 13
Thursday March 14
Friday March 15
Saturday March 16
(1) SMU (21-8, 12-4) (8) UCF (13-17, 7-9) G1|C-USA DN
G5|C-USA DN 11 am
11 am
(9) Houston (13-16, 7-9)
G9|CBSSN
10 am
(4) UAB (18-11, 9-7) (5) UTEP (20-9, 8-8) G2|C-USA DN
G5|C-USA DN
1:30 pm
1:30 pm
(12) Marshall (9-20, 3-13)
G11|CBSSN 7 pm
(3) Tulane (22-7, 11-5) (6) Tulsa (13-16, 8-8) G3|C-USA DN
C- USA’s NCAA Automatic Qualifier
G7|C-USA DN 5 pm
5 pm
(11) Rice (14-15, 6-10)
G10|CBSSN 12:30 pm
(2) East Carolina (21-8, 11-5) (7) Memphis (17-13, 8-8) G4|C-USA DN
7:30 pm
(10) Southern Miss (14-15, 6-10)
G8|C-USA DN 7:30 pm
All times are CDT
11 march 2013
NEWS
the Collegian : 4
SA receives complaints on +/- system
After the faculty senate’s unexpected vote for plus-minus grading, SA officers say that student opinion will be heard on the issue and action is possible. Walker Womack Student Writer
The news that the University of Tulsa will adopt a new grading policy in 2014 came as a surprise to many students. Student Natalie Killingsworth reported that one of her professors encouraged his students to express any negative views they had regarding the faculty senate legislation. Though it has expressed willingness to pass legislation that reflects students’ concerns, SA has in its recent history considered legislation favoring a grading system similar to the one that the faculty senate has just installed. “The SA Senate addressed the plus/minus grade situation no less than three times over the years,” said former SA Faculty Advisor Dennis Hudson. “The SA Senate researched the process in both quantitative and qualitative dimensions.”
Hudson said that SA rejected the measure each time, though other sources, including former president Robert Donaldson, have told the Collegian that SA approved the new system at least once in the last ten years. In 2006, SA considered a resolution authored by then-Senator Joyce Bonneau which proposed SA “make known its support for the use of the plus-minus grading.” The resolution cited the use of plus-minus grading by nationally high-ranking universities, as well as the current grading system’s tendency to create “grouping errors” through its assignment of the same letter to a broad swath of grades. The resolution contained provisions for an A+ grade, worth 4.3 in a student’s grade point average, but no C-, D+ or D- grades, citing among other reasons a desire to “keep the athletes in correct academic standing.” Additionally, Bonneau’s resolution provided that students would be “grandfathered in” to the new grading system—all students who began their TU careers under the old system would have remained under the that system until graduation. “The Senate definitely hears the pleas of student opposition,” Senator Conner Wurth said. “Of all the e-mails we’ve received on
the new grading policy, not one of them has been positive.” “Then again,” he added, “no one e-mails SA when they’re happy about something.” “Based on what we find (regarding student opinion), we may write up a resolution ... to ask … the administrative staff of the University to reconsider this system, or make some modifications so that everyone has the opportunity to be most successful,” SA Vice President Natalie Stompoly said. Stompoly clarified, however, that “the past few senate bodies have not had any serious discussion regarding this proposal.” “Unfortunately for those opposed to the new policy,” Worth noted, “the SA Senate can’t simply overrule school policy, especially policy that has been voted in by the Faculty Senate.” There is, however, some hope for students opposed to the new grading system. SA does have the power to pass resolutions. “If we feel as if our student constituents are overwhelmingly against the new policy, we can hold a vote on a piece of legislation that will either amend or block it,” Worth said. “If the legislation passes,” Wurth continued, “the leaders of the Senate will set up
a meeting with University President Steadman Upham in an attempt to convince him of the merits of the legislation.” The ultimate passage of the legislation is at the president’s discretion. However, “the president has, in the past, been very compromising and very willing to negotiate with the student Senate,” according to Wurth. “There’s a chance that if this legislation were sufficiently backed, President Upham would be willing to modify the new policy,” he said. “Student opinion has had significant impact in the past,” said Stompoly. “The new commuter lounge in ACAC happened because of a survey conducted and the amount of responses received in favor of having something like that on campus.” Wurth was not optimistic, however, about the ultimate passage of this bill. “Historically, motions to adopt a plus-minus grading system have been forwarded by the faculty for something around ten years now,” he said. “With that much consideration behind it,” Wurth continued, “and with it having returned to the voting agenda so often, it looks to be inevitable that the plus-minus system will eventually be implemented.”
School of Art master’s candidates incorporate culture, nature Cristiana Prado and Billijo Zorn showcase their work at the Hogue Gallery’s master’s thesis show. Kyle Walker Managing Editor
On Feb. 28, the Alexandre Hogue Gallery hosted the opening reception to this academic year’s Master of Fine Arts thesis show, in which the School of Art’s masters candidates present a collection of works to the public as a capstone to their graduate work. This year, the Hogue Gallery is displaying the work of two artists, Cristiana Prado, originally from Salvador, Brazil, and Billijo Zorn from Norman, Okla. Prado’s exhibit, entitled “Lived & Living: Memories and Discoveries from Bahia, Brazil,” is an exploration of the capacity ceramic techniques have to capture memories and symbols. Thirteen years ago, Prado moved to Tulsa from Brazil’s state of Bahia. In the last nine years, Prado earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Masters degree in printmaking from TU. Her MFA thesis is in ceramics. Moving from printmaking to ceramics was a natural, if unexpected, change. “I took
ceramics class,” Prado said. “(I thought) this is the medium I’m looking for.” The material feel of working in ceramic is part of what appeals to Prado. “I like the dimension,” she said, “the third dimension. I love to work with texture.” Ceramics also abound in pure possibility and bring to art a kinship with the natural world, Prado said. “Everything is possible (with ceramics),” she explained. Prado called Salvador “the most mystical city in Brazil” and credited the diverse “mix of things” in her hometown with providing the raw cultural material for “Lived & Living.” Bahia, the fourth-most-populous Brazilian state and the fifth-largest by land area, is particularly rich in African culture, a result of the growth of the slave trade following Portuguese colonization of the east coast of South America. Growing up in Bahia gave Prado a vivid tapestry of memories and influences on which to draw. Both nature—“I bring memories from the time I spent next to the beach”—and other cultures are significant components of Prado’s work. The diverse cultural milieu of Bahia exposed Prado, a Catholic, to the culture and
Imagine Dragons to breathe fire on TU
Imagine Dragons, this year’s act for Springfest, should provide a muchneeded escape for students. Nikki Hager Staff Writer
Springfest, traditionally held every year during April, provides students with an opportunity to temporarily escape the mounting pressure of classes, internship searches and graduate school exams. The week provides a multitude of fun activities and traditionally features a concert. In the past, the concert has been the high point of the week. However, this year, due to scheduling conflicts, the concert will take place a week before the other festivities.
Be sure to participate in TU Relay for Life events this week. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is hosting Spring Clean on Monday (Clothing drive), Aerobics on Tuesday, Annual Spades Tourney on Wednesday, and a Youth Summit on Thursday.
The band to be featured is the up-andcoming indie rock group Imagine Dragons. The band is well known for the single “It’s Time” and Billboard 200 No. 2 album Night Visions. Sophomore Lizzie Rainey expressed eagerness for the concert. “I am very excited for Imagine Dragons to play because of how powerful their music is and the kind of people they are,” she said. “‘On top of the World’ … is such a happy and expressive song,” Rainey added. “It lets you forget about world troubles for awhile and just be happy!” Rainey is not alone in her excitement for the show. “I think as a whole, everybody is pretty excited for the show,” junior Mike Kautcher said. “The quality of the group surpasses those of previous years.” Executive Director of Springfest Sarah Mischnick admits she initially had a few doubts about the band. “I actually hadn’t heard of Imagine Dragons before they were brought to my attention by our agent,” Mischnick said. “I had originally pushed for a country concert to shift Springfest in a different direction this year.” Despite her initial wariness, she is very happy with the choice of Imagine Dragons. “Turns out, it is the best possible decision I could have made,” Mishnick said. “I genuinely believe this is the greatest concert we could have brought to TU.” The concert is scheduled for March 26 and is to be held in the Reynolds Center. Students do not need to pick up a ticket before the show. Instead, students with a valid TU student ID the night of the concert will be admitted. Tickets will be on sale to the general public. Mischnick encourages students to listen to the band, even if they have not heard of them. “I’ve been playing them nonstop for months now,” she said. “So I encourage everyone to give them a listen, there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love with them, even country music lovers like me.”
Kyle Walker / Collegian
Christiana Prado integrates African art, ritual and symbolism in her ceramic works. Prado’s art is on display at the Alexandre Hogue Gallery with that of fellow master’s candidate Billijo Zorn.
religion of Africa, particularly the ritual and symbolism of the Yoruba-derived religion popular in the region. “I put everything all together,” Prado said, combining African art, ritual and symbolism with the shapes of the natural world and personal memories of Bahia and “a house right in front of the ocean.” Billijo Zorn, an Oklahoma native, is displaying an exhibit entitled “Do Not Resuscitate,” which features large printed fabric and mixed media constructions. Zorn earned her BFA at the University of Oklahoma. Zorn said she was inspired by “the highway and roadkill,” and “thinking about how we clearcut to make highways and buildings.” “Do Not Resuscitate” deals extensively with this theme and features imagery that may be disturbing to some viewers, including representations of animals slain both on the highway and under more ‘scientific’ conditions. The bloody theme of Zorn’s piece is calculated to suggest thoughts to the viewer. It is about “the effect that I have and that we
all have,” Zorn said. “I just want people to think about that.” Zorn’s interests in the effect of modern industry on the environment has had a natural development. “I started out being really interested in cars and travel and the object we use to move around,” she said. Then Zorn “started seeing a lot of dead animals. (This focus on civilization versus nature) developed and will continue to develop.” “Do Not Resuscitate” focuses on these kinds fundamental dualities: “Civilization and wild,” “sacred and profane,” “masculine and feminine,” and on people’s responses to the conditions of modern life. “People are numb,” Zorn said. “It makes me think about the fragility of life and my mortality.” Seeing the impact of human beings on other animals led Zorn to think, “Why doesn’t that life matter? Why are we sacred? Why is that profane?” The MFA thesis show will be at the Alexandre Hogue Gallery until March 18.
Student organizations to travel to Texas, Colorado Free or paid trips are traditional for recreational and religious groups. Beate Hall Staff Writer
Spring break is a time when many students travel to exotic destinations to experience a new place. Students at the University of Tulsa often travel with groups on campus because the groups can subsidize the cost or get group rates. In past years, Engineers Without Borders has journeyed to different countries to work on engineering projects or have some fun, according to junior Weston Kightlinger. However, this year is different. “EWB has no spring break plans,” Kightlinger said. “We are planning to travel after school gets out in May.” With several groups taking a hiatus from their “annual” trips, TU Treks is one of the few student groups that has advertised their spring break trip to the general populace at TU. “We are going to San Antonio and Corpus Christi for a week,” junior Corey Hardegree said. Fifteen students and three advisors will load up in TU vans and head for Texas. “This is a new location from Colorado last year and the Grand Canyon the year be-
fore,” he said. “I haven’t been on the trip before.” This trip will be headed by advisors from the Housing Department. The group will camp on the beach, tour the USS Lexington and visit SeaWorld for a day. The students at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry are also traveling this spring break. “We are going to Colorado Springs,” sophomore Luke Wittenbach said. “We will be staying at a castle called Glen Eyrie, which has been equipped as a conference center.” Wittenbach estimated that there are currently ten students signed up to go. This is the BCM’s first trip to Colorado in recent years. This group is mostly comprised of people who already know each other. “If there are new people, we all make an effort to make them feel welcome,” Wittenbach said. The trip is $250, and to ski or snowboard, the added cost is $70. “I am definitely looking forward to snowboarding,” Wittenbach said. “It is one of my favorite things to do.” Much of the BCM group’s time will be spent listening to sermons and attending worship services. “However, there will be plenty of down time to relax, study or take a hike to enjoy the Colorado Rockies,” Wittenbach said.
NEWS
the Collegian : 5
Eye on the world:
Witt Womack Student Writer Africa KENYA Last week was abuzz with speculation over Kenya’s presidential election. On Saturday, Uhuru Kenyatta just received the majority required to win the race at 50.9 percent. Though the results were contested by the election’s runner-up, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a peaceful transition of power seems to be the forecast. This would stand in contrast to the 2007-2008
elections, which were followed by violence. Kenyatta, due to be Kenya’s fourth president, is also the son of its first president, Jomo Kenyatta, who is counted among Kenya’s founding fathers. Europe ITALY Silvio Berlusconi’s prolific number of ignominies is hardly news to those familiar with his tenure, ridden with political faux pas and outright scandals. However, the successful conviction of Italy’s former prime minister might be.
Kimberly Poff Student Writer
One of the most universally hated and dreaded life experiences is the removal of a bandage. There are people, however, working to rid humanity of that bane. Hailing from Turkey, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ruya Ozer is currently researching a process which would convert seaweed into a biodegradable gauze via the process of electrospinning. In electrospinning, a large voltage is applied to a fluid, causing the surface tension to break and a thin jet to erupt from the surface. As this jet extends from the fluid, it dries and creates a fiber with dimensions on the scale of nanometers. These fibers could then be coated with neomycin, the active ingredient in Neosporin, and applied to wounds. The antimicrobial would be absorbed into the skin while the bandaging would slowly degrade away with no removal necessary. This is but one of the many projects under Ozer’s direction, however. In an impressively homey Keplinger Hall office complete with a curtain and an old-time
map of the world, Ozer is unable to keep the excitement out of her voice as she describes the various research projects under her auspices, one of which involves coating commercial textiles with nanomaterials. The aim of this research is to permanently bond zinc-oxide nanorods to the surface of commercial cotton. These rods are oleophobic, hydrophobic and piezoelectric. These rods are so small that the cotton can still be manipulated and sewn in commer-
On Thursday, Berlusconi was sentenced to one year in jail for using wiretapping to spy on his political opponents. The decision came a few months after Berlusconi received another year sentence for tax evasion—a charge still in the appeals process. Later this month, Berlusconi will face yet a third trial for his alleged hiring of an underage prostitute. Because Berlusconi is now 76 years old, the prison sentence may turn into house arrest. None of the sentences from Berlusconi’s numerous past trials have ever been carried out.
1:42 TPD attempted to stop a vehicle on E. 11th St. The driver attempted to flee the area and crashed his vehicle and fled on foot onto campus property. After a short foot pursuit the suspect was taken into custody by TPD. 3:15 Officers on patrol observed a vehicle strike a parked vehicle, which pushed the parked vehicle into another parked vehicle on E. 5th St. Officers made contact with the driver who was intoxicated. On duty TPD was called along with the other victims. TPD arrested the driver for public Drunk [sic] and transported her to jail. 23:00
photovoltaic cotton could be made for ten cents per cubic foot, cheaper solar panels could be manufactured. Another project under Ozer’s direction is working to coat electrospun cellulose fibers with nanorods to create environmentally harmless, totally biodegradable, flexible and transparent solar cells. Additionally, Ozer is working in partnership with Chevron to design bio-degradable filters which would simply suck oil right out of water.
Elation at the capturing of a provincial capital soon turned sour for the Syrian opposition. From Sunday to Tuesday, the rebels stormed the city of AlRaqqah, which has been a hotspot for refugees throughout the conflict. On Wednesday, they had captured the city, ousting many of the government’s forces, when the town was subjected to a series of at least 25 air strikes, resulting in 39 dead. Syrian rebels still retain a hold on the city. In other news, opposition forces killed 40 government troops seeking refuge from fighting in Iraq. Other opposition forces freed 21 Philippine U.N. peacekeepers that had been held hostage by the rebels much of last week. Africa NIGERIA The Nigerian terrorist group Ansaru is already inciting terror on an international scale after being formed just last January. The group, thought to have links with the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, known recently for its actions in Mali, captured seven hostages from Italy, Greece, Lebanon and Britain last month. Now they have released a statement and footage revealing that they killed all seven captives. Ansaru said that the decision was made in response to a rescue attempt. The British warplanes over Nigeria were not there to rescue hostages, but to assist with French troop-transport in Mali, the British military claimed.
out a president for the first time in the 14 years since Chavez took office. Chavez’ United Socialist Party of Venezuela, reflective of the leftist ideology he brought to prominence, is now headed by Chavez’ Vice President, Nicolas Maduro, whom the ailing Chavez endorsed to succeed him. The elections to decide the Venezuelan president will be held on April 14, with Maduro being opposed by Henrique Capriles and the center-right Justice First Party. Chavez’ death prompted seven days of national mourning, and his state funeral on Wednesday culminated in Chavez’ lying in state until Friday. Updates Mali, Jan. 22: French troops came across and dismantled a mountain base in the North used by Al-Qaeda. Despite the French army’s clean sweep of the country, they are still due to be withdrawn gradually starting next month to avoid longterm entanglement. North Korea, Feb. 18: The international response to North Korea’s provocative threats was heavy last week. The UN approved harsher sanctions, and after North Korea called off all peace talks with South Korea, China, North Korea’s only major ally, condemned the action and called for restraint.
VENEZUELA
Malaysia / Phillipines, Feb. 25: On March 5, the Royal Malaysian Air Force launched an airstrike against the Sulu Sultanate pretenders’ encampment. Thirteen bodies were later found, but the leader, Agbimuddin Kiram, seems to have escaped into the surrounding area with his men.
After more than a year and a half of battling, Hugo Chavez succumbed to cancer on Tuesday, aged 58, leaving Venezuela with-
Syria, Feb. 25: The Syrian National Council sent delegates to attend the “Friends of Syria” summit at Rome.
South America
TU students win local improv contest
Courtesy of Ruya Ozer
Nanotubes, illustrated in the above diagram and picture, could provide the key to a number of technologies requiring biodegradable materials.
cial processes. The wearer would be unlikely to notice these nanorods, which would make the clothing stainproof, water-proof and even generate electricity as the wearer moves. As an added bonus, the coating makes the clothing flame-retardant and can collect energy from the sun as well as from motion. Ozer estimates that a commercial coating process would cost a mere ten cents per cubic foot. Solar panels are another potential application of this research. If Petit Larceny [sic]: A student from a sorority house reported that an orange cone and a wooden stool were missing from in-front of the house.
Feb 28
The Middle East SYRIA
Chemistry professor searches for nanorod applications Dr. Roya Ozer’s nanotube research has several applications, including solar panels and disintegrating bandages.
11 march 2013
March 3 1:56 Officers were dispatched to Pat case Dining Center for a larceny from a building report. On video six subjects forced their way into a locked area and removed food. 23:30 A witnessed called security and reported two males tossing eggs at passing vehicles on E. 8th St in front of Mayo Village apartments. March 5 15:33 A student reported a flask busted in their hand and the student’s hand was cut. The officers assisted the student with some bandages and advised the student to seek medical attention.
These filters too would be built out of electrospun cellulose: totally biodegradable and environmentally benign. Other electrospinning research projects involve fibrous polymers, plastics which change length when exposed to electricity and would serve as artificial muscles. More than six papers have been published on different areas of Ozer’s research, with another three in the works. Ozer extends a welcome to undergraduate students interested in working on any of her myriad of projects. March 6 1:30 Officers were dispatched to Mayo Village for a male that had followed students from the QT store onto campus and asked to use a student’s phone. The student refused and the male (suspect) threw a beer at the students. Security located the suspect attempting to cut a bicycle lock cable with a pocket knife. The subject also had five county warrants, outstanding for his arrest. March 7 13:45 Bama Pie security found a bike on their back dock. Security checked their reports for 2011, 2012 and 2013. Security found there were no reports on file that matched this bicycle. The Collegian does not produce or edit the Campus Crime Watch except for content and brevity.
Courtesy of Kren Bennett
Members of TU’s Spiked Punch Lines Improv received first place at this weekend’s 24-Hour Play Festival. The teams received their props and requirements on Friday night, turned in completed scripts on Saturday morning, and performed their plays on Saturday night at the Liddy Doenges Theater at the Tulsa PAC. The TU team, consisting of (L to R) Anna Bennett, Evan Fenska, Stephen Lowe and Beth Geatches, created a ten-minute play based on their prop, a jar of peanuts. The production was called “Bar Snacks” and followed a young man and his dramatic relationships with two very different women. For their victory, these TU students received bragging rights and a box of Bisquick (also pictured).
From Sequester on cover
the University of Tulsa is a private institution, the school still relies on federal funding for some operations. Grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies and programs contributed 27 percent of TU’s research budget last year. TU received $18 million in research money in 2011-2012, 76 percent of which went to the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences. On Feb. 27, the NSF sent a notice to universities nationwide saying that about 1,000 awards will be eliminated, though “there will be no impact on existing NSF grants,” according to the memo. While the NSF will fully fund existing grants, this is not the case for all sponsors. “The NIH says that they may contact us and negotiate a reduction” to existing awards, Director of Research and Sponsored Programs Debbie Newton said.
The NIH told grant recipients that “not issuing continuation awards, or negotiating a reduction in scope of your awards” are possible scenarios. Newton said that one TU researcher had already been told that his government award would be delayed, but said that TU would work to keep important research fully funded. “We’re just going to do the best that we can to minimize the effects (of the sequester),” Newton said. Richard Redner, associate dean of research and graduate studies, said that while the effects of the sequester may not be clear yet, TU will adjust its funding to support continuity of funding after the federal cuts. “I think we’re just going to be looking at things on a case-bycase basis,” he said. Redner also expressed frustration with the federal government for allowing sequestration: “I think they need to do their job,” he said. *Actual name withheld at student’s request
variety
11 March 2013
the Collegian : 6
The Phoenix rises Graphic by Jill Graves
Urban Journal
creative
g
Alexander Bischoff Student Writer
The other day I found myself facing the task of occupying time. I had grown accustomed to a dull routine. Wake up, shower, go to class, study, repeat. But now I had freedom. Suddenly there was no guidance, no arbiter to tell me what to do with my time. I no longer had to put in the hours to satisfy what the institution wanted me to do. Sadly, this freedom came at a great cost. “What is one to do with absolute freedom?” I asked myself. It seemed like the answer was boundless. No one could tell me what to do; therefore nothing could tell me what not to do. There were too many options. In order to make sense of things, I decided to meet up with my old friend John. Before this, I noticed I was low on gas. While filling up the old tank, something caught my eye. The cup holder had accumulated a noticeable layer of grime on it. A greasy collage of unidentifiable coins compounded the distaste of this sight. Since I knew John would eventually be in my passenger seat, I decided to spare him the
experience of stumbling upon the cup holder. I figured I could stop by O’Reilly’s car shop and get a few disinfectant wipes to clean up the cup holder. The kind man at the front told me my problem would be solved with an old toothbrush. All I needed to do was get a cup of water, some soap, and proceed to scrub away at the layer of filth. Before leaving the shop, I ended up buying a microfiber-drying towel. Back home, I got to scrubbing. The cup holder looked spotless after a few minutes—then I noticed the dash. With my newly acquired microfiber-drying towel I scraped away the dust on it. Then I was on to the windshields, then the rims and then the rubber tires. As I squatted on the pavement, myself acquiring a layer of filth much like the now spotless cup holder, a thought hit me like a brick. I had become a slave to the toothbrush. Suddenly nothing was good enough. The toothbrush set a new standard of cleanliness. Once achieved, nothing was satisfactory. The feeling was worse than the sight of a few crummy quarters languishing in a layer of ooze. So, when you find yourself faced with absolute freedom, do not ask yourself “What should I do?” Instead ask yourself what you want to do. If completing tedious routines gets you there, then go for it. If not, put down the toothbrush.
By Anna Bennett
Students looking for a little literary excitement to accompany their meal should look no further than The Phoenix. Located at Sixth and Peoria, The Phoenix features a healthy menu, live music and an extensive library. Anna Bennett Staff Writer
Tulsa’s got a new hotspot for coffee, food, wifi and drinks. And luckily for TU, it is right down the street. The Phoenix is a fairly new addition to the neighborhood, but it is already a popular spot—and with its location just a few blocks away at Sixth and Peoria, it should soon be the ultimate student hangout. The Phoenix is unlike any other coffee house. Not only does it serve fancy espresso drinks (using a shiny new machine that manager David Fell is eager to show off), but it also has anything students could possibly need for a long study session. Bagel sandwiches and salads are served all day, and the establishment features both an amazing library room and a fullservice bar. I have been very impressed by the quality of the food. The Phoenix focuses mostly on salads, sandwiches and bakery items, but there are a plethora of choices to be had within those categories. There is a “Choose Your Own Adventure” menu above the register right now, which guides patrons, chapter by chapter, as they select bread (I always go with their fresh bagels, of which there are many varieties), meat, cheese, veggies, dressing and so on. Let’s just say this is not a Subway line either—there are more interesting combinations than you could ever get around to trying. Students not feeling that creative can always choose a literature-
1. Dallas—easy drive and Texas liquor laws. 2. Detroit—ever seen a tourist in Detroit? Exactly. 3. Prince Edward Island—party with all the retired people on this quiet Canadian island. Enjoy white-sand beaches and freezing cold seawater. 4. Home—wherever that is for you; food and lodging included! Too bad it is populated by your relatives.
5. North Korea—in case the State-Run Media has not convinced you already. The ultimate Hipster Spring Break Getaway, now with 3G! Instagram that stuff! 6. Bolivia—cheap, adventurous fun! Enjoy the roads that cease to exist and the freezing cold showers! 7. St. Louis—this staff writer is going there, so it is automatically cool. Plus it has an arch. And like, Six Flags and stuff. 8. Wichita—known to locals as “The Only Place in Kansas Worth Going To.” It has a science museum, and a giant metal Indian statue, and these random pillars of light at one intersection. 9. Kansas City—home of the nearest Trader Joe’s. 10. Tulsa—ultimate peace and quiet. Take in the tranquility of an abandoned campus. Just stay in your dorm/ apartment. Sleep, meditate, do some pleasure reading. Or just, you know eat Papa John’s every day and enjoy basic cable.
themed option from the menu, where they can try such options as “The Fight Club” or “The Count of Monte Cristo” or “Great Expectations.” My personal favorite is “The Rumblefish” on a bagel (any bagel), which features nova lox, lettuce, tomato, capers, red onion and cream cheese. It is amazing, not only in the quality of ingredients, but also the complexity of the flavor profile (something that seems to be present in all the sandwiches). I also really love “The Giving Tree” on an asiago bagel, which is comprised of turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, granny smith apple slices and Phoenix spicy ranch. For students not looking for a full meal, The Phoenix has dozens of bagel flavors, and almost as many kinds of spreads. Students seeking something sweet will not be disappointed by the bakery options, particularly the giant, amazing cookies. I had the chocolate chocolate-chip last time, and it was a good life choice. Now, let’s not forget the basics. The Phoenix brews up a solid cup of joe. It is bold and dark, with a smooth but robust after-taste—no acidic finish. It is a refined cup that still puts hair on your chest. I could not put it down. The Phoenix’s amazingly flexible and welcoming atmosphere
makes it both an excellent study spot and a relaxed but ideal place for nightlife. It serves many craft beers and fancy drinks. For the month of March, its specials are $5 Guinness draughts and $7 Guinness milkshakes. I can definitely get behind that. But what really makes this establishment promising is its selfaware commitment to community. This city is making real attempts to create a more vibrant cultural scene, and the efforts in the Pearl District are indicative of this. I went to the Phoenix on Thursday, when it was holding a free evening of music by area artists like Chelsey Trevino, Kristen Hemphill, Rachel La Vonne, Jillian Holzbauer and Fiawna Forte in celebration of International Women’s Day. Ten percent of the evening’s proceeds went to support Domestic Violence Intervention Services, which is something I can get behind even more than Guinness specials. I sincerely hope that The Phoenix will continue to be such an active participant in the community, but that will only happen if the community supports it in return. This sort of business is just what Tulsa needs, and I encourage students to take advantage of this unique establishment right down the street.
Lara Croft reborn in “Tomb Raider”
Under-Rated Spring Break Destinations So your roommate will not shut up about how excited they are for South Padre, and your sorority sisters are all busy making matching “Miami 2013” shirts. So, maybe you waited a little too long to make travel plans. Or maybe your Spring Break savings got eaten up by adult beverages and “exotic dancers.” Or perhaps all those popular destinations are just too mainstream for you. Here are a few unsung Spring Break spots that might just be of interest to the lazy, the broke or the highly discerning:
Anna Bennett / Collegian
The Phoenix features a number of delicious salads and sandwiches, such as “The Giving Tree” pictured above. Feeling adventurous? The Phoenix also offers a “Choose Your Own Adventure” menu, which guides patrons as they pick their bread, meat, cheese and veggies.
After nine games and two films, heroine Lara Croft gets a makeover in Crystal Dynamics’ latest installment in the “Tomb Raider” series. Elliot Bauman Student Writer
After nearly five years, the “Tomb Raider” franchise is back on the map again. The latest installment, simply entitled “Tomb Raider,” was released on March 5 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Crystal Dynamics, the game’s developer, said that the newest “Tomb Raider” serves as a reboot of the series, focusing on protagonist Lara Croft’s reimagined origins and her transition into womanhood. Crystal Dynamics’ decision to restart the series had been long requested by a number of hardcore fans, who felt that many of the later games, such as “Tomb Raider: Underworld” and “Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness,” were subpar and heavily detracted from the franchise’s outstanding original titles. For those fans, the wait was definitely worth it. The new “Tomb Raider” introduces a young Croft, freshly graduated from college and on her first archeological adventure to the Dragon’s Triangle, a dangerous sea region south of Japan. Things take a turn for the worse when the expedition ship, the Endurance, is shipwrecked on a mysterious island after a violent storm. The incident scatters the members of the expedition across the dark island.
It is quickly determined that the island is inhabited by a savage cult, and players will have to guide Croft through the unknown as she searches for survivors of the wreck and attempts to uncover the island’s secrets. The main plot is supported by open-world exploration, a good number of side quests, some puzzles and a limited equipment customization system. As an added bonus, the character development of Croft and the other supporting characters is superbly executed. The fact that many modern games are simply terrible at developing their central characters gives “Tomb Raider” an even brighter shine in this regard. Crystal Dynamics has stated that the main quest takes between 12 to 15 hours to complete on normal difficulty, but, in reality, it is much shorter than that. Gamers should expect to spend around seven hours to complete the story. Furthermore, “Tomb Raider” is a fairly easy game, and the average player will not have much trouble completing the quests. That said, the short main quest and relative ease of the game do not detract from the overall experience, as multiple difficulty levels, exploration and challenge tombs add replay value and keep fans busy. The new “Tomb Raider” also features a multiplayer option. However, the multiplayer is very limited and lackluster, and really does not offer much: there are only five maps and three runof-the-mill game modes. Players should not expect much from the multiplayer side of the title. This does not cause a significant detriment to the overall experience, however, given the quality of the single-player mode. Graphically speaking, “Tomb Raider” is a decent looking game.
While the environment is immersive, it definitely does not hold up to other contemporary open-world games. It is very clear that the majority of the effort was spent on the game’s effects and character models, which are both superb. The various explosions, fight sequences, and overall chaos are all beautifully imagined. Additionally, “Tomb Raider” is a gory game; the injuries and blood splatters are very believable and clearly welldesigned. The game also controls well. Players familiar with third-person adventure and shooter games will have no difficulty picking up “Tomb Raider.” The newest installment does handle a bit differently than the previous games in the franchise, though. There a number of button prompts and quick-time events to keep the player at the ready. Additionally, the controls have been redesigned to better accommodate third-person platforming, something that plagued earlier installments of the series. Overall, “Tomb Raider” is a perfect execution of reviving a franchise long in need of a reboot. The combination of open-world exploration and a rich story line make for a memorable experience. The transition to a new Lara Croft—a strong and intelligent young woman who often doubts her own abilities—from the bland eye candy character of the previous games takes the “Tomb Raider” series down a much better road. While the lackluster multiplayer side of the game is a definite point of criticism, the abundance of content and quality of the single-player make “Tomb Raider” a “must check out” for old and new fans alike. “Tomb Raider” is an excellent 8.5/10 across all platforms.
opinion
the Collegian : 7
11 March 2013
Honor societies too numerous, not meaningful The large number of honor societies cheapens the recognition of student achievement. Victoria McGouran Staff Writer
Most students know that honor societies exist at the University of Tulsa, however, what they may not realize is that TU is home to more than 30 such societies. While this large number of honor societies—almost as many as there are majors—could be seen as a good thing for our school, I happen to think that the prolific nature of these organizations render them rather meaningless. If everyone with a decent GPA at our school can get into an honor society, then why would anyone actually join one? I researched honor societies all over the university sphere and came to the realization that people join honor societies for a variety
of reasons. Some students think that being an honor society member will help their resumes and ensure them better jobs. Some think it will help them get into a better graduate school. Others believe these societies will aid in “networking” and enable them to make connections to distinguish themselves from others in their field. Still others join because they want to make friends with the same interests.
impressed by honor societies or clubs. They do not care that you paid a $70 fee to put some greek organizations on your resume and they really do not care that Phi Gamma Beta Theta Yelta thought you were swell during your junior year. Unless the person hiring you was a member of the same honor society, joining one will do nothing to set you apart from other applicants who are all just as highly qualified and motivated as you. After all, you are paying money
“Being a member of an honor society would do nothing to distinguish you from the masses” What is wildly hilarious about all of these reasons is that they rarely come to fruition. While networking is possible within an honor society, padding one’s resume with various societies will not make finding a decent job any easier. It may be a rude awakening for some, but employers are not really
to join the society. Why would that be any more impressive than subscribing to the Wall Street Journal? That point aside, because TU has so many honor societies, being a member really does nothing to distinguish you from the masses of students in your major. If anything, it makes students and future job applicants become
Graphic by Caroline Kohlhagen
more alike on paper. Now, I do not want to be rude and diminish the merits that may have earned some of you places in honor societies. Having a high GPA is nothing to scoff at after all—however, for most of you, being a member of an honor society would be a waste of time. While you would probably make friends, develop a few business relationships and maybe even
make some memories, overall, being a member would really do nothing to distinguish you from the masses of people applying to graduate school or searching for a job. Getting an internship at a reputable company and having solid references is a far better use of time, and those pursuits will do far more for you than Phi Omega Gamma Whatsit ever could.
Mass incarceration promotes unjust society America’s love of incarceration unfairly creates a lower caste out of those who have been to prison. Carly Putnam
Student Writer
Speaking in the Allen Chapman Activity Center’s Great Hall on Wednesday night, Michelle Alexander surveyed the room and noted that it was fitting that she should be speaking about her book, “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” in Oklahoma—the state that ranks fourth in the nation for male incarceration and first for female incarceration. Over an hour and twenty-minute talk, Alexander eloquently laid out the facts, describing her own journey from an idealistic young lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union to the author and
activist she is today. It is, she says, now perfectly legal to discriminate against felons in the way that it was once perfectly legal to discriminate against people of color. In many states, those with felony records are unable to obtain housing, employment or food stamps; are excluded from jury service and cannot vote, perpetuating the cycle of recidivism that maintains the prison-industrial complex nationwide while denying those with records the access and ability to effectively push for change. Thirty years ago, the incarcerated population of the U.S. was 300,000; today it tops two million. The U.S. is home to 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of its prisoners, with incarceration rates higher than that in the USSR in the age of the Gulag. These numbers and the effects they produce are a direct result of the so-called “War on Drugs,” which, like many other wars on vague concepts, has achieved none of its stated goals and shows no signs of ending. As Alexander stated, Reagan
declared the “War on Drugs” when drug-related crime was actually at a low. Its extension under Clinton was a thinly-veiled form of racial control: “getting tough” on drugs meant “getting tough” on black people. Although rates of drug-related activity are virtually identical across racial groups, people of color are overwhelmingly and disproportionately targeted by mandatory sentencing minimums and
like” system in the US, whereby a single group of stigmatized people are intentionally, institutionally excluded from minimum participation in the country of their citizenship. Clearly, I found Alexander’s arguments compelling, and I believe the rest of the audience Wednesday night did as well. However, I was disappointed to see so few TU students present; the hall was packed, but I believe my presence dropped the average
“The continuing wave of incarceration in the US effectively erases the basic rights of millions of Americans every year” “stop and frisk” policies - but Supreme Court rulings make it virtually impossible to file a case alleging racial discrimination in police behavior. All of this, Alexander argues, has given rise to a “caste-
age in the room by twenty years. I understand that scheduling the lecture right in the middle of midterms likely disqualified a large number of students who would have liked to have attended, but I
think there is also an assumption on campus that things that have to do with drugs, the legal consequences thereof, racism and criminal records do not matter here. But we go to school in this state, and our tuition at this university is an investment in this state. Many of us will continue to live here after graduation. Ten percent of Oklahomans have felony records. A bill has been filed with the legislature this year that would make anyone with a felony record in this state automatically ineligible for SNAP benefits, informally known as food stamps, which more than 600,000 Oklahomans rely on for basic nutrition every month. The continuing wave of incarceration in the U.S., combined with the ongoing pattern of discrimination against those who have been incarcerated, effectively erases the basic rights of millions of Americans every year. We cannot find these policies tolerable, and if we continue to do so, we need to consider some serious contemplation about what it actually means to be American.
Sequestration a symptom of political discord The sequestration debacle casts doubt on elected officials’ ability to make decisions for Americans. Patrick Creedon Opinion Editor
The Congressional budget sequester of 2013 took effect on March 1. The cuts, established by the Budget Control Act of 2011, are expected to save almost $85.4 billion over the course of the 2013 fiscal year. The Budget Control Act was a response to the supposed debt ceiling crisis that occurred two years ago. In hopes of stopping destructive amounts of discretionary spending, the debt ceiling was raised by $400 billion while forcing Congress to consider a balanced budget amendment. The effects of the sequestration are clearly bad for all American citizens. $600,000 is expected to be cut from multiple school districts in Oklahoma. Special needs students and those in rural areas are expected to feel those cuts the most. Furloughs—temporary unpaid leaves of absences imposed on employees—are expected to harm
many Oklahoma federal workers, especially members of the Oklahoma State Guard. Command towers at both Tulsa International and Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport are expected to close overnight, stopping all incoming overnight passenger and cargo flights. Nuclear waste cleanup in Washington and Tennessee are being halted due to these same cuts. Defense spending will go down from 4.3 percent of the GDP to 2.8 percent. Medicare should expect to see an annual drop in funding by 2 percent. These are all effects that are bad for our citizens and our economy. Besides the mild decrease in defense spending, every single one of these cuts plays into the hands of Republican-Tea Party movement. When all of Republican rhetoric
cal question, “How much more money do we want to steal from the American people to fund more government?” it only goes to show that the sequestration serves the GOP’s interest. They lost nothing but the notion that they were a respectable political party. The only reason that the Budget Control Act even needed to be passed was because congressional Republicans decided that the debt ceiling was an issue, even though they voted to raise said ceiling 19 times under former President Bush. The sequestration came about because of irresponsible political gamesmanship, and as illustrated in the preceding examples, limiting money to necessary public programs only serves to hurt our citizens. We may need budget solvency for future Americans, but it
“We may need budget solvency for
future Americans, but it does no good when it hurts our living Americans”
as of late is on the importance of small government, the effects of the sequestration directly serve that ideology of limiting government power. When Speaker of the House John Boehner asked the rhetori-
does no good when it hurts our living Americans. Even more damning in this whole sequestration affair is the fact that in the grand scheme of things, those huge numbers I quoted above mean little. Those num-
bers are but a tiny fraction of the overall budget, and the sequestration specifically targets increased spending as opposed to overall spending. Then why do I care? I care because this sequestration is a symptom of our political beast and has been used to target programs that I think are terribly necessary. Who exactly does this sequester serve? It was put in place by the Budget Control Act to make sure that our elected officials came to an agreement over government spending. When both sides were unable to come to an agreement, a punishment that hurts only one side’s
Courtesy of The Columbian
agenda and the common people was put into place. I do not claim to have a solution to the specific problem of the sequestration, but that problem is indicative of something much larger in Washington: career politicians. When a person makes a career out of politics, they will make the decisions that keep them and their party in office as opposed to the decisions that will help the American people that they were elected to serve. That is the worst sort of selfishness that comes out on both sides of our two-party system, and I hope that there is some way for our country to get past it.
Opinion
11 March 2013
the Collegian : 8
World buyout a fighting chance for media Warren Buffet’s purchase of the Tulsa World will hopefully inject new life into area print journalism. Anna Benett
Staff Writer
Fruit of the Loom. BNSF railroad company. Helzberg Diamonds. See’s Candies. FlightSafety International. Heinz Ketchup. The Tulsa World. What do they all have in common? They are now all owned, in part or in whole, by Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Warren Buffett’s multibillion dollar corporation. BH Media Group, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, is finalizing its purchase of Tulsa’s mostread and last remaining traditional newspaper publication this month. Exactly how much the Lorton family, which has been operating the Tulsa World company for the past 100 years, sold it for has not been disclosed.
While it saddens me to see a family-run business get bought out by a monstrous corporation, I would be more upset to see the Tulsa World disappear. Call me old-fashioned, but I think print journalism has a vital place in any lively community. I mean, the evidence is right in your hands. While BH Media claims that the Tulsa World has continued to turn a profit, there is no doubt that subscriptions have been shrinking as more and more people get their news from the Internet. Print journalism is at a nexus, which will decide if it continues to be the final word on news or falls into eventual obscurity. If being part of a large, stable media conglomerate allows the folks at the Tulsa World to report and deliver the news to us with greater confidence and efficiency, so be it. That is something I can get behind. I remain cautiously optimistic, but only because representatives from BH Media Group have reinforced time and again that they will in no way exercise sway over the content of the paper. BH Media Vice President Larry King says “you won’t hear from me on anything having to do with
local or regional coverage or how you cover the news—nothing.” In fact, as it stands now, it looks like very little about the publication will change. The building and name will remain the same, and all the staff will be unchanged. The only change will be that they now they get their paychecks from BH Media. While I am still ideologically against the slow takeover of local businesses by greedy, unstoppable corporations, I know it is a very hard time to be in print journalism, and I certainly do not begrudge the Lortons for their decision, though it must have been a difficult one. And for an evil billionaire, Warren Buffett is actually a decent human being and a good investor by whom to be acquired. It probably helps that he looks a less-grumpy version of Carl from “Up.” Plus, he is the fourth-richest person on earth, and he is giving away 99 percent of his fortune after his death, which wins him a few points in my book. Buffett is widely regarded as one of the world’s smartest investors, so the fact that his company is interested in the Tulsa World is a testament not only to the quality of the publication but also the
economic climate and potential of Tulsa. Terry Kroeger, the CEO of BH Media, said that Tulsa and cities like it are different than major metropolitan areas in that it is easier to create a sense of community, that they “have something to rally around locally.” Community-oriented newspapers are a major part of BH’s strategy, Kroeger also said, which to me sounds like they intend to keep said publications just that way. In his annual letter to stockholders, Buffett himself devoted three of the 24 total pages to his
newspaper investment plan, revealing its overall importance in the conglomerate’s future. He has purchased 28 dailies in the past 15 months, of which the Tulsa World is the third largest. It worries me that a few major conglomerates seem to be steadily purchasing everything, but in the case of the Tulsa World, I see little cause for alarm just yet. If the publication continues to be a crucial and evolving voice in our community, serving the interests of the locals, not the corporation, then I don’t care who owns it.
Graphic by Caroline Kohlhagen
When everyone is 4.0, then nobody is Complaining about pluses and minuses means little when we probably do not deserve the A at all. Steven Buchele
Student Writer
I have gotten A’s most of my scholastic career. That will probably change. However, since the new plus-minus grading system was announced last week, I began to wonder what an “A” really means. Right now it means little. I have received As just for doing what was expected of me. Often, I think that classes were structured just
so that students could get high grades. I wish that would change. Education is supposed to be about stretching ourselves, and right now—at least to me—it is not doing much of that. I think our view of the grading system should change. In most classes if I do what is expected of me—study, do the homework, pay attention and engage in classes—I get an A. In some classes, that is harder than others. Even then I would not say I am stretching myself a great deal. I think that just doing what is asked of me should be the minimum. If I could re-write the grading system, most of my A’s would become C’s, because I am doing only what an average person would do. A’s are supposed to denote exceptional effort. They are supposed to be on the far end of the
bell curve, rarer things. Instead they are the benchmark, the tier I have to reach to succeed. B’s seem like second-place medals, somewhat hollow. And anything C or below is a complete failure on my part. Now, this might be an unhealthy achievement fixation, but if it is, it is a fairly common fixation in America.
want to be better than average, a C should be nothing to scoff at. However, the way that classes work now, a C means I have done less than what is expected of me— in real life this means failure. In a job, if I did average work I would probably get paid and not fired, however if I did work that would earn me a C right now, I would probably lose that job.
“Our achievement fixation says that
A’s are required and C’s are failing” I know I am not the only one using this view of grading. Objectively, I should not feel bad about a C. If everything were on a bell curve, the way it should be, I would be average. While I do
C should be average, A should be exceptional. Yet the achievement fixation that has developed with the help of No Child Left Behind says that A’s are required and C’s are failing.
I know that at this point it is impossible to change the culture of American education, but if I could, I would make it so that classes are designed to give A’s to the students who go up and beyond. I would make A’s the reward and C’s the standard instead of the deterrent. A’s would be given out to students who become deeply involved and motivated in their education, the ones who produce stellar projects and earn high scores on very difficult tests. C’s would be given to people like me, students who learn enough to pass the test, who turn in papers on time, with one or two mistakes, that make vague and uninteresting points. Unfortunately, the grading culture isn’t going to change. I guess I’ll just have to stick with my hollow A’s.
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editor-in-chief—Kalen Petersen managing editor—Kyle Walker news editor—Conor Fellin sports editor—Aubry Midkiff variety editor—Stephanie Hice opinion editor—Patrick Creedon satire editor—Tim Nissen photo & graphics editor—Jill Graves staff writers—Anna Bennett, Beate Hall, Oscar Ho, Victoria McGouran, Zhenya Yevtushenko business & advertising manager—Liz Cohen distribution manager—Tyler Magill web editor—Mary Carol Franko adviser—Kendra Blevins
11 March 2013
the Collegian : 9
State-run Media
11 MARCH 2013
VICKY: THE NEW
KING JOHN & QUEENTO-BE FLEE PAPARAZZI IN ROYAL CARRIAGE
King John I to take bride KING LEPINE KISSING TREASURER MCGOURAN
PIPPA MIDDLETON?
RIGHT ON THE FACE!!!
VICTORIA MCGOURAN AND HER PLAYBOY SUITOR
SEXIEST KING ALIVE
Photo by John Lepine
THE KISS THAT ALL OF CAMPUS IS TALKING ABOUT
CREDIT: Aubry Midkiff
KING JOHN I
“IT WAS FLOUR, OK? FLOUR!”
REVEALS ROYAL
DIET SECRETS
BABY BUMP? Nick Blandino
Will get in huge trouble for this The Baby Bump is Finally Here! Or at least, that’s the tale circulating around the SA watercooler. After last week’s sudden Royal Engagement, thousands of photoshopped pictures flooded the Insta-sphere featuring the queen-to-be and her budding bump. Most of these pictures show Duchess McGouran with her hand on her stomach, or a few with King John I holding his ear to her belly. Sources within the Royal Circle have circulated information on some of the recent habit changes of the soon-to-be Queen. McGouran’s third aunt recently divulged to the Daily State that Duchess McGouran turned down alcohol in her recent visit to the Vatican. When asked if she would like sushi at the Emperor’s Palace, McGouran responded with a respectful, “Not with a bun in the oven.” The queen-to-be continued immediately with a slightly less graceful “OH NO, I JUST MEANT TO SAY NO THANK YOU!” The King and Treasurer had a SA-funded trip to the Swiss Alps planned for their spring break, but this trip has been mysteriously cancelled after Her Soon-to-be-Highness told the Daily State’s sources, “the altitude makes me sick to my stomach. Also, everything makes me sick to my stomach— but mostly just in the morning.” Editorial note: the Daily State emphatically acknowledges the Duchess of Duncan as both a total babe and a slammin’ hottie.
Photo by Tim Nissen, legitimate photographer
Photo and former president courtesy of SMU
ROYAL DIET Patrick Creedon
Meat and potatoes kind of guy The engagement of King John and Lady Kate of Duncan has led to speculation on the fabulous fashion expected at the wedding. Ever the fashionista, King John has spoken elsewhere of what will be adorning his glorious body, but the more important question that no one is asking is, “How will he hope to fit in those clothes?” King John graced our offices to chat about his diet and exercise regimen. “Every morning, cliché though it might be, I get up and drink a pitcher of orange juice laced with the blood of several ORU prayerists,” King John said. “Their fear keeps me young.” Our glorious king mentioned that afterward, he breakfasts on a slab of raw pork back bacon, as the dense fat adds “a burning fire to (his) muscles that make them work even harder.” King John has no fear of heart disease and assures us at the Daily State that he will be around for a very long time. “Also,” added the king, “America’s carb-centric diet is based on shaky scientific studies.” Continued the king: “Seriously.”
FASHION Beate Hall
Fashion reporter From the form-fitting royal blue suit to the old gold bands to the crimson carpet, King John and Lady Katie’s wedding is set to be the TU fashion event of the century. In a suit by Alexander McQueen, King John will look absolutely dashing. “Crimson, plaid and royal blue will rule the day as this golden couple ties the knot,” revealed McQueen. “After the wedding, King John’s suit will be on display in the special collections room of the library,” said Miss Inga Payge, chief librarian at McFarlin Library. “A suit with a multi-colored vest might seem a bit bold,” said McQueen, “but the bride will wear a dress of some shade of white; this blank canvas allows the groom to have a bit of fun with his look.” King John’s suit will also feature breeches instead of full-length pants. “With his dark curly hair, good nature and spirit of adventure, I was reminded of Bilbo Baggins and thought he should have a suit that looked like Bilbo’s suit,” continued McQueen.
PIPPA II?
Nick Blandino Playboy suitor
With news of the recent TU Royal Engagement ringing across the campus and the world, commoners only have one question for the Royal Family: Is Vicky McGouran the new Pippa Middleton? A source within the Royal servants’ quarters has come forth with some information about the Royal Sister-in-law that makes Pippa look like a nun. Other undisclosed sources, who wish to remain anonymous because of their ongoing romantic relationships with Victoria, confirm these rumors. “If only you knew,” added the sources. Taking a cue from Pippa, the younger McGouran plans to cash in on future royal wedding photographs to garner press attention for her shapely posterior. Ms. McGouran has started writing a party-planning book of her own, entitled “Money Maker.” The title comes from a song by Ludacris that the younger sister will be performing at the wedding in December. The book will outline some of V-McGour’s favorite rave hangouts, and of course, her personal cures for a hangover.
INSIDE:
Kevan Buck’s thrilling history as a police officer, politician, firefighter, astronaut, cowboy, ventriloquist. . .