The Cameron University Collegian: March 4, 2013

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Collegian T he Cameron University

Monday, March 4, 2013

www.aggiecentral.com

Volume 88 Issue 5

Cameron University hosts 32nd annual OSGA Spring Congress Sarah Brewer

people’s gifts and talents. Figure out what you’re good at — it Copy Editor helps everything else and the Members of the Student things you’re not good at — Government Associations accept and hone that, too.” (SGA) across Oklahoma Jari Askins stressed the convened from Feb. 22 to Feb. importance of offering guidance 23 at Cameron University to students during the OSGA to discuss issues in higher luncheon. Askins was the education and appoint students 15th Lieutenant Governor of to leadership positions during Oklahoma. She was the second the 32nd Oklahoma Student female to govern the state and Government Association the first Democratic female to (OSGA) Spring Congress. hold that position. Designed by students, “I think it is incumbent on staffed by students and funded you to be aware of opportunities by students, OSGA is a to mentor others so that they nonpartisan student advocacy will understand that they are association. Because the capable of doing what they Oklahoma State Regents for want,” Askins said. “It may not Higher Education recognizes be running for SGA; it may just and works closely with OSGA, be getting through day.” the decisions and policies Justin Barrick, a Business put forward through Spring Management senior currently Congress have the potential to handles CU SGA proceedings affect change. as its Sergeant of Arms. Photo by Sarah Brewer Colten Kennedy, a senior Barrick was elected the double-majoring in History and Handling business: SGA Sergeant of Arms Justin Barrick (left) and SGA Vice President Chas Holbrook Southwest Regional Director Mathematics and serving as of OSGA — a position on (right) sit on a panel and discuss the future of student government in Oklahoma. The OSGA Spring the president of the CU SGA, the board of directors where Congress conference took place Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, uniting university leaders from across the state. was responsible for applying to he will communicate and make CU the host for Spring In addition to committee He graduated from Cameron you think are good ideas for Oklahoma City University Law be responsible for a quarter Congress. Kennedy said OSGA meetings and elections, the University with a Bachelor of the future of either Cameron School. In 2006, he was elected of the schools in Oklahoma serves as a vehicle to voice the Barrick also participated OSGA itinerary also featured Arts, and while studying at CU, or for southwest Oklahoma or to the Oklahoma House of concerns of the constituents in a session where students Oklahoma House Speaker he served as SGA President for Oklahoma, you try to figure Representatives. Seven years each student leader represents. T.W. Shannon (R), former proposed a resolution calling two years. out a way to create enthusiasm later, on Jan. 8, he took the “What we try to do here State Regent of Higher Burgess spoke to students in other people for those oath of office to be Oklahoma’s for the banishment all firearms is basically be a sounding on Oklahoma colleges and Education Bill Burgess, Jr., and during dinner on the evening ideas — because that is really Speaker of the House. board for students — if we see universities. former Oklahoma Lieutenant of Feb. 23. He said OSGA what government is all about,” Speaker Shannon urged something that we want, or if Though the resolution Governor Jari Askins as guest provides students the Burgess said. students to keep their egos we approve of something, we did not pass, Barrick said the speakers. opportunity to work with The next speaker — in check, as well as focus on can pass legislation that says, Bill W. Burgess, Jr. is the others that have opposing Oklahoma House Speaker maintaining relationships with debate that ensued showed ‘we agree with this,’ or ‘no, we that students were engrossed senior partner of Burgess & perspectives and teaches T.W. Shannon (R) — discussed others. don’t agree with this’ or ‘we’d in making changes for the Hightower Law Firm, the aspiring leaders how to build the role of government and “When you see someone like to change this,’” Kennedy owner and publisher of The fervor for their ideas. politics during a fireside chat excel above you, it’s very easy to betterment of their respective said. “If we can effectively schools. Lawton Constitution and the “I think that in any kind with students on the same allow that green bean of envy communicate their perspective civilian aide to the Secretary of collaborative effort where evening. Speaker Shannon to start creeping its head up,” on critical issues, then we’re of the Army. He also serves you get to work with a lot of earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speaker Shannon said. “If you See OSGA doing a really good job, and so as chairman of the Oklahoma different people, you learn how Communication from CU and figure out what you’re good at, that’s what we’re striving for.” State Chamber of Commerce. to take your ideas or ideas that holds a Juris Doctorate from it helps you to celebrate other Page 2

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority celebrates centennial year at Black Heritage Banquet Sarah Brewer

Oklahoma senate bill 618 progresses Tiffany Martinez

Committee will discuss the bill further, as well as the Copy Editor Managing Editor funding for it. According to Shades of crimson bedecked the McCasland Ballroom Sen. Clark Jolley of the fiscal analysis, it will cost when the sisters of the Lawton Alumnae chapter of Delta Edmond, Okla. has proposed a approximately $1,000 to test Sigma Theta, Inc., celebrated its centennial year and sponsored bill to the Senate Public Safety each person. the Lawton-Fort Sill National Pan-Hellenic Council Black that will require anyone who “If it would be difficult to Heritage Banquet (NPHC). has been arrested for a felony afford all felonies and violent The annual event took place on the evening of Feb. 23. or certain misdemeanors, such misdemeanors, I would prefer Its theme, “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The as drug possession or domestic to get violent crimes only,” Sen. Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington,” abuse, to submit a DNA Jolley said. was meant to focus on the 150th and 50th anniversaries of sample. The bill was passed Not all Oklahomans favor these events. on Feb. 21 and now heads the new incentive. Some believe Barbara Ellis, the president of the Lawton Alumnae chapter, to the Senate Appropriation the samples would qualify as said this year is significant for the sorority because it is now Committee where Sen. Jolley unreasonable search and seizure stronger than it has ever been. serves as the chair. or a privacy rights violation. “There is nothing better than celebrating being 100-yearsSen. Jolley, of Oklahoma Organizations such as old when your organization starts with 22 young college District 41, has had nine years the American Civil Liberties women who never anticipated that it would be more than a legislature experience. He has Union of Oklahoma (ACLU), college organization or club, so it’s awesome for all of us and fought to stop Obamacare in which is a union that describes our principles are still alive — that makes all the difference in Oklahoma and defend second themselves as a “nonprofit, the world,” Ellis said. amendment rights. He said the nonpartisan, privately funded Photo by Sarah Brewer Ellis said her sorority was pleased to present the banquet proposal for this particular bill organization devoted exclusively and its keynote speaker, Dr. Louise A. Rice. came from the mother of a rape to the defense and promotion of Dr. Rice is the Immediate Past National President of Delta A day to remember: Dr. Louise Rice takes the and murder victim that lives in individual rights secured by the podium at the National Pan-Hellenic Council Black Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., having served for four years as Tulsa. United States and Oklahoma Chief Executive of the Premier National Service Organization Heritage Banquet in the MCC. She has served as “She is hoping to bring constitutions,” oppose the bill. comprised of predominantly college educated African closure and make sure that Executive director of the Immediate Past National President of the Delta American women residing throughout the United States and whoever murdered her daughter ACLU, Ryan Kiesel, said, Sigma Theta Sorority for the past four years. several foreign countries. Under her leadership, the sorority doesn’t murder somebody else’s “It is shocking that some accomplishments that we, as African Americans, have made established the Delta Hurricane Katrina Relief Task Force to child,” Sen. Jolley said. politicians so quickly dismiss fulfill the housing, financial, health and wellness and emotional to build our great nation,” Dr. Rice said. “Though we wear Current law only requires the fundamental principle of different colors, or our songs may sound differently, we are one those convicted to submit DNA innocent until proven guilty. needs of Gulf Coast residents and other displaced individuals — one body of college educated men and women committed to samples. However, Sen. Jolley after the hurricane struck. We urge lawmakers to again service and the uplift of our communities. Your esprit de corps believes that the more DNA Dr. Rice began by commending the members and leaders reject this attempt to build a reflected here this evening is admirable. We need to see more of samples obtained, the safer of the sororities and fraternities for hosting the banquet and database with the DNA of this throughout the nation — collaboration and camaraderie stressed the importance of knowing the history of civil rights Oklahoma communities will innocent Oklahomans.” will surely get us to the finish line of social change much faster be. in the United States and the need for remaining bonded in If the bill becomes law, their endeavors, she said, is necessary to expedite further social than if we do it alone. “My belief is if we do this,” Oklahoma will be the 28th reform. he said, “we will get rapists and state required to obtain “Celebrating black history is an opportune time to off the street more DNA samples from specified See BANQUET murderers remember those upon whose shoulders we stand, and rapidly than if we don’t do it.” arrestees. Page 2 it is the ideal time to educate all generations about the The Senate Appropriation


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