The Cameron University Collegian: October 15, 2012

Collegian T he Cameron University

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Monday, October 15, 2012

Volume 87 Issue 5

CU offers low-cost aid

Health insurance plan aims to supply affordable care Tiffany Martinez News Editor

Inside Sports

Intramurals:

Pingpong takes center stage at Cameron.

Page 6 Men’s Golf:

Player profile on Cameron golfer Corey Bounds.

Page 6

Crossroads

Giving: Great Plains Compassion Co-op aims to help Lawton children.

Page 5

A&E

India Night: Event strengthens bond between America and India.

Page 3

News

Giving: Great Plains Compassion Co-op aims to help Lawton children.

Page 2

As many adolescents venture out on their own during college, there are many tasks and responsibilities they must manage for the first time. This load of responsibilities could be lightened however, as Cameron University offers health insurance to students for a second consecutive year.

Vice President of Student Services, Jennifer Holland, said the health insurance that is offered by CU is aimed directly toward students.

“The plan is through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma,” Vice President Holland said. “We actually work with Academic Health Plans and they work with the insurance company directly, so it provides students an opportunity to work with someone smaller.”

Academic Health Plans is an Academic Risk Management Business Partner that is based out of Texas. The company works to provide health insurance plans for college

students across the country.

“Academic Health Plans works with different schools,” Vice President Holland said. “Colleges and universities are their only audience. They work to find specific plans that fit a particular school’s specific needs and interests.”

According to Vice President Holland, all students are encouraged to buy health insurance, but international students are required to do so.

“We have had international students that have gotten very ill here and needed to be transported back home,” Vice President Holland said. “Insurance has paid for a family member to travel here to be with the student, and also provided the funds for that family member to travel home with that student.”

She said there are a number of important factors surrounding the requirement of health insurance for international students, who are so far from home.

“There are parts of the plan that provide important services, but service that we hope we never have to use, such as repatriation,” Vice President Holland said.

The insurance plan is just under $100 a month, and cannot be paid month-to-month as other health insurance plans may allow.

“They want you to be continuously covered,”

Vice President Holland said. “So you can pay by semester.”

Vice President Holland said that the health insurance plan is more expensive than it was last year.

“The price increased with the new healthcare reform,” Vice President Holland said. “That really changed the way university insurance policies had to look. It increased some of those lifetime maximums and it increased some of the coverage, so now it costs more. But it’s still pretty affordable, considering what insurance can cost.”

To qualify for the healthcare insurance, one must be enrolled at CU and taking at least six credit hours.

“If you happen to take out a full plan during your last semester at Cameron, you can still keep that insurance even though you will no longer be a student,” Vice President Holland said. “They won’t take you off of the plan. You will not be eligible for a renewal though.”

Vice President Holland said that students may purchase coverage for children or spouses, but that there are additional fees involved for family plans.

For more information on the healthcare plans offered through CU, visit www.ahpcare.com/ cameron.

International banquet showcases diversity Lizzy Owoyemi Staff Writer

The Cameron University International Club hosted the Fifth Annual International Student Scholarship Banquet on Oct. 5 in the McCasland Ballroom to raise scholarship funds for international students.

The evening started with a silent auction and a display of different items from various countries.

Emake Ugiomoh, senior Biology major and a member of the International Club, was the emcee for the event.

The event started with a welcome note from CU President Dr. Cindy Ross, who welcomed the guests to the event and explained the significance and the importance of having international students at CU and the Lawton community.

The guests had an opportunity to taste dishes from different countries.

There were delicacies from the Caribbean, Germany, Nepal, China, India, the Middle East and Italy.

The guest speaker was Antoine Ehouman, a graduate of Agricultural Science and native of Cote D’Ivoire. Ehouman shared his experiences of earning a college degree thousands

Photo by Lizzy Owoyemi

Coming together: Members of the International Club sing their rendition of Michael Jackson’s “We are the World” at a banquet Oct. 5. The banquet was held in the McCasland Ballroom and helped raise funds for the club. of miles away from home.

Ehouman is presently a project manager trainee at Smithfield Food in Pampa, Texas. He started his speech quoting Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step,” Ehouman said. “I think every international student

in this room can relate to this quotation, especially as we reflect on how our own journeys started.”

He explained how joining various clubs and participating in school activities has helped him develop himself and his relationship with people.

“I got myself involved in

clubs and activities around campus that will not only benefit me, but CU as a whole,” Ehouman said.

“Although my families are thousands of miles away, I found a family with other international students and the American community at CU.” The 2012-2013 CU

International Club Scholarship of $1,000 was given to Silika Shakya, a Medical Technology major presently training at the Comanche County Memorial Hospital.

See BANQUET Page 2

Executive Council member elected Kaylee Jones

that must come from a Regional University.

Staff Writer Vice President Pinkston said that he was honored to be another One of Cameron University’s member of the Cameron team to own, Vice President for Business accept such a position. and Finance Glen Pinkston, will “Cameron has been lucky,” serve as the Elected Chair of the Vice President Pinkston said.

Council of Business Officers for the “Our Provost, John (McArthur), 2012-2013 year. served as Chair the Council of COBO is an advisory council Instruction, and Vice President that deals in matters pertaining to Glover has served as Chair on the the financial and business related Communicator’s Council.” aspects of higher educational Vice President Pinkston’s duties institutions in Oklahoma. The as the Chairperson will include election to Chair is determined preparing for and presiding at all from a pool of 25 Oklahoma COBO meetings. He will also be universities, and each member serves a term of one academic year. responsible for helping to appoint his successor and the ChairpersonThe appointment begins in elect who is responsible for acting August and is completed in July in the stead of an absent chair. of the following year. An officer On the docket for business is not able to serve more than two officers this year are matters of consecutive terms.

COBO includes five institutional facility utilization, collections, refunds and various financial representatives. Vice President services.

Pinkston will serve as one of two

The Council of Business Officers stated purpose includes considering business related issues affecting Oklahoma higher education, conducting studies and issuing reports in the review of business affairs, proposing business related policies and procedures and acting as an advisory council to the Chancellor, Council of Presidents and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Vice President Pinkston simplified, explaining: “Cameron University is in higher education, so is Oklahoma State University. But we’re in different businesses. It’s a little big of apples and oranges.

The Council, Vice President Pinkston said, has to do with making sure policies are created that will help all types of institutions; policies beneficial to research institutions may not adapt well to regional universities.

See COBO Chair Page 2

2

News

October 15, 2012

www.aggiecentral.com

TRIO celebrates 25th anniversary Kaylee Jones Staff Writer

Cameron University’s TRIO, a 3-tiered program serving to help students achieve a postsecondary education, celebrated its 25th anniversary this fall.

TRIO is an on-campus organization comprised of three programs: Open Doors, Upward Bound and Student Support Services – all of which share the ultimate goal of “assisting participants in reaching their dream of postsecondary education.”

Both the Open Doors and Upward Bound programs assist precollegiate students by offering free services such as: tutoring, ACT/PSAT workshops, career fairs and summer enrichment programs. In addition, they help to arrange college

services to CU students.

Doreen Thomas, Director of SSS, explained that each student is assigned their own personal academic advisor, who will help and mentor them throughout their collegiate career.

“We find a lot of students are seniors that have no idea what they want to do,” Thomas said. “Our goal is, by the time they get ready to graduate, they have their resume ready and have researched potential jobs.”

SSS has three criteria, of which only one must be met to qualify for the program.

Applicants must be first generation college students, Photo by Kaylee Jones meet government standards Changing student lives: Director Doreen Thomas for low-income and have nurtures a therapy dog of TRIO. Two canines are made proof of an academic need.

Thomas said that the available to students during counseling sessions. program currently is funded for 235 students. campus visits for potential (SSS) picks up where the “These were the students applicants. former two programs leave who would not have stayed Student Support Services off, offering academic

India business forum enlightens students James Meeks Staff Writer

India’s economy is on the rise and will soon be the third most powerful economy in the world by 2030, according to Dr. Amit Gupta, Associate Professor of the Department of International Security Studies at the United States Air Force’s Air War College in Montgomery.

Dr. Gupta served as the keynote speaker on the India Business Forum held on Oct. 5 where he discussed with students India’s rise in economic power.

Before Dr. Gupta went into academia to learn to become an instructor, he learned one of the most important lessons in understanding the economy.

“I was in advertising and the first major product that I had to develop a campaign for was women’s hair removal and that lasted about three months,” Dr. Gupta said. “What I did learn in advertising which I think applies to academia is you can’t talk about the economy without understanding the political social market context.”

Dr. Gupta discussed the implication for the United States economic interest in South East Asia and how India is growing into a new power in World Affairs along with China.

“By 2020, if you go by International Monetary Funds reports the world’s largest economy is going to be China, the United States will be the second, by 2030 India will be the third,” Dr. Gupta said.

Dr. Gupta explained that the Reserve Bank of India is also trying to work to keep inflation down with the help of the government subsidies.

“They would like to see an inflation rate of four percent or five percent, right now it is around eight to ten percent,” Dr. Gupta said.

According to Dr. Gupta the states of India are becoming much richer and are beginning to make advances in many areas.

Dr. Gupta said: “The median age of India is 25 leaving it to high potential and high risk for future economic ventures.”

Photo by Colton Rowe

Offering economy lessons: Dr. Gupta educates students on the culture and economy of India. He is shown above, making an appearance at CU’s India Night, but was also featured as the keynote speaker at the India business forum.

Dr. Gupta also explained that education is regarded as a top priority in India. Parents often end their children to school to learn technology or a second language because they believe these are important tools for their child’s future to help them succeed.

Dr. Gupta said India has the potential to greatly increase their growth rate.

“This is a country that if it can get its act together they can reach a growth rate of twelve percent, Dr. Gupta said.

“They don’t want twelve percent because they think it will add inflation but would be very comfortable with an eight percent growth rate.”

Dr. Gupta explained students can learn from the rise of economic power from another country.

“Get a language, get a skill, show up on time,” Dr. Gupta said. “By skill I mean something that you can do if you get thrown out of your job tomorrow, you can always go and do it.”

Crossword

Across

1 Trot or gallop 5 Home with a domed roof 10 Stylish 14 Earth Day sci.

15 Playground chute 16 Avatar of Vishnu 17 Four-to-midnight production overseer, say 20 Bill of Rights amendment count 21 “Les Misérables” author Victor 22 Parisian love 23 “What __ the odds?”

24 In liberal amounts 26 Dead battery hookup 31 Get hitched in a hurry 32 Without warning 37 Unload for cash 38 Colorado ski city 39 Secure in the harbor 40 Mind readers 42 Luxurious bedding material 43 Encased dagger 45 Popular restaurant fish 49 18-Down, on a sundial 50 Shoreline feature 51 Stare at impolitely 53 Time Warner “Superstation” 56 Dry runs, and a hint to

in school had they not been in the program,” she said.

“These are the students who were told they were not smart enough to go to college.”

A former student at Cameron herself, Thomas was a member of SSS, starting off as a tutor in the writing lab. After graduation, she worked her way through the ranks to her current position as Director.

Kay Love, Academic Counselor and Mentor Coordinator for SSS, has a strong personal tie to the program as well, as she was one of the original members in her collegiate days.

Her testimony is one of gratitude to the program.

“I would have had to drop out of school, because I lost the rest of my sight while I was a student,” Love explained. “I cannot

say enough about the help that I received. I graduated on time in four years with honors.”

Thomas explained her hopes for the future of the program.

“My goal, when I get ready to retire,” Thomas said, “is to have someone in the program become director. Kay and I can both tell you that we have walked in these student’s shoes.”

Thomas said her plans for the future also involve expanding to help more of the students currently hosted at CU. “We have around 6,000 students on campus at a time,” Thomas said. “Two hundred and thirty five is not enough to cover all of the students that have a need. I would love to see the whole fourth f loor of Shepler as nothing but TRIO.”

BANQUET continued from Page 1 The entertainment section featured various dances from Nigeria, the Caribbean and Nepal. There was also a sneak peek of the CU@Fashion Week 2013, which Merita Tyrell-Mitchell organizes to raise funds for international students.

The international student group also performed Michael Jackson’s, “We Are the World.”

Datricia Morton, one of the members of the group, dedicated a song, “You Raise Me Up,” to President Cindy Ross, the faculty and staff of Cameron.

Marcella Gustafson, the International Students Admissions coordinator, gave the closing remarks. She said the event was organized to

create a fun night where people will showcase their culture as a group.

“There are 52 countries represented at CU,” Gustafson said. “There were 12 countries that volunteered by singing, serving and setting up.”

According to Gustafson, there were lots of people and businesses from the Lawton community that donated items for the auction.

“There were nearly 100 people and businesses that donated the items used for the auction,” Gustafson said.

“The Administrative secretary, Heather Whisenhunt, prepared the silent auction display and coordinated the table for decorations.”

COBO CHAIR continued from Page 1 “Something that someone has an idea to do at the state level or legislative level, might work really well for the regionals, but might not be a good idea for other types of institutions,” Vice President Pinkston said. “The Council gives them a venue to ask those questions.”

He continued: “The Council of Business Officers is a group where

all of us may not work on student refunds, but it’s a venue where five or six of us can say, ‘Is anyone having issues with financial aid refunds?’ It’s networking.

It’s where we can share common issues and resources.”

The Council of Business Officers meets at 10 a.m. the first Thursday of every month in the OSRHE Conference Room.

the starts of 17-, 26- and 43-Across 60 Clumsy one 61 Mail for King Arthur 62 Wrinkle remover 63 MDs for otitis sufferers 64 With tongue in cheek 65 Maddens with reminders

novel 29 Social divisions 30 Wolf pack leader 33 Muscat resident 34 “Surely you don’t mean me” 35 Hairdo 36 Seaside swooper 38 Contented sounds 41 Exams for sophs or jrs.

42 Winter Olympics entrant 44 Swank of “Amelia” 45 Move furtively 46 Scandalous newsmaker of 2001-’02 47 Alaskan native 48 Outplays 51 “Goodness gracious!”

52 Earth sci.

53 O’Hara homestead 54 Opinion website 55 IRS form entries 57 Inexperienced, as recruits 58 Go wrong 59 Moral wrong

Down

1 Bothersome insect 2 Exercise woe 3 Nickel or dime 4 Tiny toymaker 5 Periodical publisher 6 Sound from a water cooler 7 Fat-reducing procedure, briefly 8 Poem of praise 9 “__ the ramparts ...”

10 Punishment’s partner 11 Is wearing 12 Poker concession 13 Have in stock 18 Midafternoon hour 19 __ parking 23 Winesap, e.g.

24 Most capable 25 Draw up a schedule for 26 Kid around 27 Oscar-nominated Peter Fonda role 28 “__ Flanders”: Defoe

Answers on Page 5

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A&E

October 15, 2012

www.aggiecentral.com

India Night captivates with Eastern culture Lizzy Owoyemi Staff Writer

The Cameron University School of Business hosted its annual India Night event at 6 p.m. on Oct. 6 in the McMahon Centennial Complex’s McCasland Ballroom.

The goal of India Night was to bring greater awareness about India to the Lawton community and strengthen the relationship between the United States and India, the world’s two largest democracies.

Cameron University President Cindy Ross gave the opening statement by welcoming the guests to the event. She emphasized the role played by the Bhargavas in providing lectureships to educate CU students, and she encouraged the audience to appreciate the efforts of Dr. Ajay and Shireen Bhargava.

“Dr. T.K. Bhattacharya initiated the India Night and it is possible through the extraordinary generosity of Dr. Ajay and Shireen Bhargava,” President Ross said. “They have funded three endowed scholarships which have opened doors of education to many students.”

The Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Oris L. Odom introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Amit Gupta. He is an Associate Professor in the

Photo by Colton Rowe

Captivating culture: Professionally-trained dancers gaze into the audience before dancing three of the most prominent dance forms in India. Bright dresses and bells added visual and musical vibrancy to their performance.

Department of International Security Studies at the United States Air Force’s Air War College in Montgomery. He is also an external researcher for the Strategic Studies Institute of the United States Army War College. Most of Dr. Gupta’s research and publications

have focused on weapons proliferation, arms control, South Asian security issues, globalization and Australian security policy.

Dr. Gupta discussed the main economic opportunities that are available to India in the coming decade and also the

challenges that can potentially derail India’s attempts to develop economically. He stated the emergence of India as a big economic and military power. He also mentioned the implications of the United States strategic and economic interest in the South East Asia.

He said India is beginning to emerge as a major player in world affairs.

“By 2020, the largest economy in the world is going to be China,” Dr. Gupta said.

“The second largest economy in the world will be India.”

He said to talk about global

politics and know how the world would transform, the interaction between the United States, China and India should be observed.

Ajanta Cuisine of India, an Oklahoma City restaurant, served the audience a variety of India dishes and delicacies.

Professionally-trained dancers and choreographers from Oklahoma, Texas and Georgia perform Nritya Sangam, a fusion number that combined Indian and classical folk forms, and then danced three of the most prominent classical dances in India: Nharatnatyam, Kathak and Odissi.

Dr. Syed Ahmed, a Professor of Economics and Director Bill W. Burgess, Jr. Business Research Center Director said they decided to have something different than the normal classical music they had used in previous years.

“This is the first time we would invite a renown dance troop,” Dr. Ahmed said. “We have always had classical music performances in the past India Nights.”

The last performance was a dance by all the leaders of the dance troupe. They did the Nritya Sangam by bridging gaps through dance.

The event ended with a closing remark from Dr. Syed Ahmed.

Civic Symphony strikes a chord with Fall Concert Sarah Brewer

are very seriously classical, and we try to cover style periods A&E Editor as much as we can. This time, Classical music filled the we did classical music with McCutheon Recital Hall romantic music and music when the CU Civic Symphony from the 20th century,” Dr. culminated eight weeks of Underwood said. classes and rehearsals with a Civic Symphony is Fall Concert on the evening of structured like an eight-week Oct. 9. class as opposed to other Starting with “Eine Kleine 16-week ensembles that are Nachtmusic,” a serenade scheduled each semester, but composed by Wolfgang each member of the ensemble Amadeus Mozart in 1787 often dedicates his or her time to reserved for special occasions, perfecting each piece. the CU Civic Symphony “We rehearse for two and entertained students, faculty a half hours every Tuesday and members of the community night, and of course everyone with each subsequent song by practices his or her part at evoking timeless elegance and home,” Dr. Underwood said. excitement.

“It is like homework, and we The ensemble continued to have to come to class prepared delight the audience with their so we can concentrate more on version of “Jazz Pizzicato” by musical aspects in the score.”

Leroy Anderson, their take on According to Dr. “Bossa Verde” by Bert Ligon Underwood, CU Civic and ended their program with a Symphony not only includes rousing rendition of “St. Paul’s students, but also invites Jig” by Gustav Holst. instrumentalists who feel Conductor and Assistant comfortable playing at the Professor Kirsten Underwood concert level. did not intend for the songs “We have Cameron to imbue the concert with a students, we have homecelebratory feeling; she instead schooled students, we have chose songs that were composed Lawton Public School students throughout several eras. and we have older adults in the “We try to do pieces that community who are amateur

players who have been picking up what the professionals have been doing,” Dr. Underwood said.

Violinist and Eisenhower Middle School Orchestra Director Jessica Foster graduated from CU in 2005 and participated in the Fall Concert.

Foster said she is swept away while performing, and she likens the sensation to sampling a delicious desert.

“For me as a player, what I love are those sweet moments that are kind of like biting into a nice cinnamon roll and savoring that taste. There are moments in different pieces that are like that for me,” Foster said.

Foster shares this passion for performing with Spencer Jones, a Cellist and junior Music Education major. Jones has been playing for 10 years and performing as a member of the CU Civic Symphony for one year.

Jones handled emcee duties during the concert, but does not want to remain idle after the course ends. He plans to arrange another concert with other instrumentalists in the latter half of the semester.

“I will be doing this on my

Perfect Timing: Sarah Brewer A&E Editor

Together, Assistant Professor Bayard Godsave and Instructor George McCormick will tour and turn pages to promote their books, “Lesser Apocalypses” and “Salton Sea,” respectively.

Their joint tour encompasses readings scheduled at bookstores and universities in the Southern Midwest — Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma — and in Wisconsin in the spring.

Their itinerary draws from connections each have made throughout their career, and the release dates of their work coincide within months of each other.

McCormick said it feels right to embark with his colleague to share their work with several longtime friends — many of whom work for bookstores, at other universities and in other facets of the publishing industry.

“I think it will be fun to hit the road together. Our readings have been scheduled by friends of ours. It will be fun,” McCormick said. “I am almost 40 years old and I have lived in seven different states, and I have good friends all over the country. It will be satisfying to see them and for them to have my book.”

Dr. Godsave commented on the coincidental timing of the release dates and the decision to tour with his colleague.

“It is a wonderful stroke of luck to have these things happen at the same time,” said Dr. Godsave. “Much of what is in our books has been around for a long time. These stories are really old stories that are now being published at the same time.”

Both authors assess student writing in their composition and creative writing courses, but they have also shared their work with each another.

“Since I have been here at Cameron, we have been exchanging our work with each other,” McCormick said. “I know his work, so to see his work become a book is very exciting, and vice versa I think.”

Both works have accumulated accolades and

own, so it is a ‘we’ll-see-whathappens’ situation,” Jones said.

“If I can get everything together and lined up, then I plan on having another performance.”

Jones said making others

happy compels him to play cello, and he hopes to someday teach students and aspiring musicians how to make and appreciate music.

“Music is a universal

language, and anybody can listen to music and feel a certain way,” Jones said. “Music is important, and I want to be part of the growth of music as a whole.”

Photo by Colton Rowe

Once more with feeling: The CU Civic Sympony rehearse prior to performing that evening. Throughout one piece, entitled “Jazz Pizziacato,” the instrumentalists smiled at the audience, and their choreography added more energy to their program.

English teachers publish books, embark on promotional tour received recognition for their literary merit. “Lesser Apocalypses” has been selected as a text for American Literature courses at the University of Central Missouri.

“Salton Sea” has also won the 2011 Noemi Book Award for Fiction. One story included in the book, entitled “The Mexican,” won the PEN/O. Henry Award for 2013 as one of the best 20 stories published in literary journals.

McCormick said that the tour will give both the opportunity to promote their work, but it will also mean adjusting to reading aloud for audiences.

“Writing is such a solitary activity, but when a book comes out it can be somewhat social,”

McCormick said. “When authors are doing readings, it is nice to get the attention but it can also be exhausting because they are not used to it. It is good for both of us to take the attention off of each other and offer support each other.”

Dr. Godsave said the focused responses they have received following his readings have been surprising.

“You often think that you write stuff and you put it out there, but no one is reading it. It was refreshing to see someone give that care and attention to those words, and it felt really good,” Dr. Godsave said.

These discussions have enhanced his approaches to teaching and writing in tandem.

“Having people ask

questions about my work and having to really think about the choices I was making informs me as a teacher, and keeps me thinking about the writing process in ways that are productive and go beyond the things I do semester to semester. I think it will make me a better teacher and a better thinker about fiction, which is ultimately what I do as a teacher,” Dr. Godsave said.

Dr. Godsave said their recent success shows the impact students have had on their writing.

“We have good students here that teach us a lot; working with students helps my writing. If what we are doing is good, then it is in part because of Cameron students.”

4

Voices

October 15, 2012

www.aggiecentral.com

Support needed for abuse victims

Tiffany Martinez News Editor THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Staff

Editor-in-Chief - Matthew Berberea News Editors - Teewhy Dojutelegan, Tiffany Martinez Crossroads Editor - Dianne Riddles A&E Editor - Sarah Brewer Sports Editor - Tyler Boydston Copy Editor - Alex Rosa-Figueroa Aggie Central Editor- Mitch Watson Archivist - Mitch Watson

Newsroom Staff

Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Amanda Goemmer, Lizzy Owoyemi, James Meeks, Kaylee Jones Circulation Manager - Matt Thompson Advertising Manager - Matthew Berberea Photographers - Kali Robinson, Misty Neal

Newswriting Students

Charlene J. Belew, Jordan K. Godlewski, Terry I. Gonzalez, Mei Ling Grooms, Michaela D. Haire, Philip D. Harrington, Eloise A. Herbert, Dena N. Jennings, Kaylee M. Jones, Sadie L. Jones, Whitney N. Mefford, Jaime R. O’Bannon, Melissa C. Solis, Shelby M. Stancil, Kaitlyn M. Stockton, Carson B. Stringham, Matthew L. Thompson, Cindy A. Walter, Skylar D. Williams

Faculty Adviser

Dr. Christopher Keller

Most people associate October with Halloween, pumpkins or football. For me and so many others, however, October is much more than candy and costumes. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The fall winds of these 31 days bring on a whirlwind of emotion as we reflect, commemorate, listen and protest. As a victim of domestic violence, I hold this month close to my heart, but the additional 11 months of the year are just as vital in spreading the word of healthy relationships. Just as anyone can be a victim of violence, anyone can be an advocate of peace. As in any walk of life, knowledge leads to the power of change.

While there are several definitions for domestic violence, it is essentially the infliction of pain, physically or mentally, by a person that maintains an intimate relationship with the abused.

The National Coalition against Domestic Violence reports that it is one of the most under reported crimes in the country.

According to the Domestic Violence Research Center, one in every four women have experienced some form of domestic violence, and nearly three out of every four Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. By the time adolescents reach high school, one in every five report having been hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner.

Research continuously proves what a serious issue domestic violence is, yet America is slow to act upon the evidence. In fact, the month of October was not founded as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month until 1981. Here in Oklahoma, animal cruelty is a felony — domestic violence

cases involving actual human beings however, are most commonly filed as misdemeanors.

This April, provisions were made to the Violence Against Women Act. Then-senator Joe Biden originally drafted the act, which President Bill Clinton signed into legislation in 1994. The act has

provided money toward the research, investigation and prosecution of violent crimes toward females. This piece of legislation has also required mandatory restitution fees be paid to battered victims.

The provisions were created with the intent to extend the Act’s protection to victims of same-sex partnerships, as well as illegal immigrants

who encountered abuse.

Conservatives, unsupportive of the idea that every victim deserves justice despite personal circumstances, have not favored the provisions.

The Act has yet to be renewed.

Domestic violence is a crime so often disguised with gifts and apologies — and unique in that there is an emotional bond between the offender and the offended.

For these reasons, there is no simple solution; however, educational programs, safe havens, psychological and financial support are extremely critical in the ongoing battle we face. The sooner people are able to learn about and grasp the reality of domestic violence, the better chance we have of breaking the cycles of abuse.

I will stress that I do not believe there are enough preventative measures taken among the American youth.

Awareness workshops and classes should be taught at schools, and more than once a year. I emphasize out of experience how important it is to have more than one outlet. The most powerful remedy to this type of victimization is support.

So as shades of red, orange and yellow begin to cover the trees, and autumn decorations line the aisles everywhere, I hope to see tones of purple on display as well. The lavender ribbons brought about during this month of observance may be delicate and small, but the great strength and significance they represent is beyond measure.

About Us

The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution The first issue is provided free of charge. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

Letters Policy

Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to collegian@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www. aggiecentral.com.

Our Views

The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author.

The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board.

The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

All votes count

unless they don’t

Kaylee Jones Staff Writer

This presidential election will be the first in which I am old enough to cast my vote. It marks my first opportunity to have my voice heard as to who I think should be the next President of the United States. In other words, it is kind of a big deal.

I feel as though society wants me to believe that parades should be marching me off to the voting booths, that trumpets should be sounding as I check the box that possibly determines my nation’s next four years and as though confetti should fall from the sky as I exit, a triumphant smile crossing my face as a feeling like I just made a difference in the world grows within me. There should at least be fireworks, right?

However, with less than two months until Election Day, I still have not registered to vote.

The trouble is that I struggle with believing my vote counts in a state that literally bleeds red. We are talking about Oklahoma, a state that has not voted blue since the 1960s.

I realize my stance is not a popular one within an educated community. It is considered the result of an apathy opposed to a grasp on realism. I am told that if I do not vote, my political opinion does not matter. In essence, I have chosen to stifle my own voice.

However, I feel that if a person votes for the sake of

voting, they never really had a solitary voice at all. They are simply an insignificant piece of a human assembly line that has been manufactured to help make sure our “democratic” reputation is upheld.

It is time to face a harsh reality; a vote cast is not necessarily a vote counted.

And should a vote

the vote you cast is not your own?

The right to vote is a privilege that is not extended to every American. While it is indeed an important right to exercise, I feel that we have forgotten that it is within our freedoms to choose not to participate at all.

This is not to say that I will never vote, or that I will disregard politics as unimportant. Honestly, I would like to think of myself as a decently politically aware person. I laugh at all of Jon Stewart’s jokes; I even get most of them.

Perhaps it is a matter of me forgetting that “getting the joke” may mean I am educated enough to understand the punch line, but that it can also detract from my ability to critically analyze the argument hiding behind the humor.

Perhaps my vote, not willingly cast in favor of my own ideas, but coerced by societal expectation in favor of a man considered the “lesser of two evils” does matter somewhere on a much grander scale.

Regardless, as Election Day draws nearer, I find myself more certain that the odds of my vote mattering in favor of either party is unlikely.

Freedom to choose is freedom compliment of a person to choose not to vote; it is uneducated on the issues upon not the choice between two which they are voting count imperfect parties. anyway?

Despite my actions, I A 2003 Yale study revealed encourage every person to that people often vote more register to vote, to vote and to consistently with their have your voice heard. party as opposed to their However, when it comes to personal beliefs. These results voting in this election, I think completely undermine the I will exercise my God-given concept of voting. right to not.

Is it truly freedom when

October 15, 2012

www.aggiecentral.com

5

Crossroads

Photos by Sarah Brewer

Compassion radiates warmth for needy

appropriately dressed.”

Hall said that he wanted to do something to help benefit these children.

“I contacted Lawton Public Schools and said that I was planning to do a coat drive and I was wondering if they would allow me to donate directly to the school,” Hall said. “They told me that there were a couple of schools that had coat closets that often had a need and LPS would greatly appreciate any donations.”

According to Hall, rather than taking all of the accumulated donations and giving them directly to the school coat closets, LPS asked Hall to be a contact point for them.

“If a principal sees a need for a particular child, they can contact me directly and see if I have something within my Community of Compassion Clothing Drive: Brent Doan (left) and Jason Hall inventory that can help that (right) discuss the community response and support for the clothing drive. Hall began child.”

The Community of collecting coats for a one-time event, which became a program being used by LPS. Compassion Clothing Drive benefit the community, but “I had more people was scheduled to end on Oct. Dianne Riddles they had no organization to volunteer as donation sites 27, but all donation sites have Crossroads Editor promote or facilitate benefit than I could manage, so I expressed a desire to continue The Great Plains events. actually had to turn down accepting donations through Compassion Cooperative “I thought it would be a some donation sites because I the winter. and the Community of great idea to create a Facebook knew that I was probably going “I assumed that with Compassion Clothing Drive page for an organization where to be the only one to keep up donation boxes, people would are new ways in which there is no president and there with them,” Hall said. donate more than just kids individuals can contribute and is no board,” Hall said. “It The Community of coats,” Hall said. “I just help the needy in the Lawton is just a forum where people Compassion Clothing Drive assumed that people would community. come together and put their is the first event under the donate some blankets, hats, Jason Hall is a 30-year-old ideas out there for other people Great Plains Compassion scarves, gloves, shoes and other local carpenter who started who would like to get involved Cooperative name. clothes, so I figured I would the Great Plains Compassion and help facilitate their ideas.”

“That idea came to me accommodate and find a use Cooperative with an idea to Hall said that the amount when I was watching kids in for those items too.” help others. He said that he of interest from the local my neighborhood going to the Hall said that he started had many friends and contacts businesses he contacted bus stop and I saw that some looking at community that wanted to do things to surprised him. of them were maybe not so organizations around Lawton that help the homeless.

“There are many great organizations that help the homeless out there, although some have red tape involved in trying to get help,” he said.

“What I want to do is bypass the red tape.”

According to Hall, contacting the right people to receive the donations was not an easy task.

“I found that with all of my resources—my computer and my smart phone—I was having a hard time reaching the correct people to give the donations to,” Hall said.

Hall hopes to go out with members of the GPCC to handout blankets to people who need them sometime in November.

Hall said that there are two upcoming donation events, one at 10 a.m. and one at 2 p.m. on Oct. 20, at the Vaska Theatre.

He said that anyone who brings a donation of one new or gently used winter clothing item would receive one free

admission to see a family friendly movie. One donated item will buy one admission ticket.

Hall said that he has some wonderful friends who are helping to make GPCC successful in sharing warmth throughout LPS and the community. His good friend and GPCC member Brente Doan has been an immense help by, among other things, providing flyers for the clothing drive.

Doan said that the organization has provided a wonderful way to give back to the community.

“When Jason first came to me with this idea, I looked in my closet and was ashamed of the abundance of warm coats that I had collected over the years, while there are so many people who are in need of just one,” Doan said. “Needless to say, my coat closet is no longer over stocked, and my heart is in a better place because of that.”

Hall said that the intention of his efforts was to be an avenue through which people could get involved.

“I do not want people to look at Great Plains

Compassion Cooperative and think, ‘Jason Hall’s Great Plains Compassion Cooperative.’ That is not what this is, and that is why I put Cooperative in the title,” Hall said. “I want us all to work together to get it done.”

Hall listed a few of the many ways that anybody could help: reaching out to local businesses; finding places that are willing to clean coats; helping get things printed; or helping keep up with donation sites.

Clothing donations can be made by dropping the items in drop boxes at these local businesses: Brente Doan Retreat, 701 NW Arlington Avenue.

Pumpkin Center Cafe, 15703 SW Lee Boulevard.

Acoustic Rock Coffee House, 1408 NW 15th Street.

Hog Pin, 3140 NW Cache Road.

Zumiez, Central Mall.

Shine On Tattoo, 6516 NW Cache Road.

Those wanting more information or wanting to help can contact Great Plains Compassion Cooperative on Facebook or send an e-mail to jdub.hall@gmail.com.

6

Sports

October 15, 2012

www.aggiecentral.com

Intramurals continue with pingpong Tyler Boydston

Oyewale coming out as the victor in the end.

Sports Editor The intramural sports The fall intramural offered this semester come sports continued with from Canfield’s discussions pingpong doubles and with CU students as well as singles matches at 5:30 p.m. what sports were offered in on Oct. 8 and 9 in the Aggie previous semesters.

Rec Center.

“What I did was look at The singles matches what sports were offered included seven students previously and had good from Cameron University participation, and I made going against each other in a sure to include those,” tournament setting.

Canfield said. “I also was Student Activities very fortunate to tour the Specialist Megan Canfield facility of West Texas, and said that the brackets for — after seeing which sports the pingpong matches were did well there — brought randomized online as to some of those to Cameron make for a fair game. as well. I also listened to “We use an online students to find out what program called imleagues,” sports they wanted to Canfield said. “What I play and what they were did for pingpong was put interested in.” in for a random order, and Canfield also expressed the program randomized that participants are not the bracket for me. That charged for the events, and method made for the fairest that not just CU students way to play.” are allowed to take part.

The rules of the singles “Anyone who has a matches called for the valid Cameron student ID, winner to beat his or her staff members or anyone opponent in three out of five who has a valid ID for the rounds, and be the first to Rec Center are allowed to 11 points in each individual participate,” Canfield said. round.

“I think what is cool is that The final match of at Cameron, we do not the singles tournament charge participants to play came down to junior Silas in intramurals. Some other Oyewale and sophomore schools do, which I think is Alex Erickson, with a great benefit for us.”

be on a team or are looking to fill out a team, we have free agents who can help participants join a team.”

According to Canfield, planning the intramural sports based around the school’s calendar events is the most arduous part about planning each sport’s time and day.

“The most difficult part is that I am trying to be mindful of athletic events, theater events, PAC events and departmental events,” Canfield said. “After scheduling, it is a matter of figuring out what games are going to be happening, what the rules will be, getting the events out to the public so people know when they are happening and then organizing the tournaments and setting them up while posting scores and finding scorekeepers.”

Fall intramural sports will continue with 3 on 3 women’s and men’s Photo by Tyler Boydston basketball Oct. 25 and 26.

More information on Table top victory: Junior Silas Oyewale eyes the ball as he plays his final match this fall’s intramurals can in the singles tournament Oct. 9. Oyewale won the final match of the day. The fall be found at Cameron.edu/ intramurals are continuing with 3 on 3 women’s and men’s basketball on Oct. 25 and 26. activities/intramurals/ sports, and students can Canfield also said that when students do not have Canfield said. “Students the students have the ability enough team members to can either form a team with register for the remaining vents. at imleagues.com/ to pick their own teams qualify. people that they want to during team sports, with “Everybody is allowed play with, and if they do not Cameron. free agents being able to help to pick their own teams,” know anyone who wants to

Bounds golfs through illness at invitational Tyler Boydston

tremendous talent, and we know we all have the ability Sports Editor to win.”

Bounds, a sophomore While the Cameron Business major, started University men’s golf team playing golf at a young age, played at the Ryan Palmer Invitational on Oct. 8 and 9 in after his father gave him his first set of clubs.

Amarillo, Texas, sophomore “I was introduced to Corey Bounds went on to the course and played with a fever. golf when I was a little kid,” Bounds said. “I was swinging According to Bounds, the golf clubs when I was probably weather on the field during three or four. My dad was the tournament contributed the one who introduced me to his condition. to it, and I fell in love with it “The first day I was sick as soon as I grabbed the first and weak,” Bounds said. “I club.” had a little fever, and when According to Bounds, we were warming up that his father has been a mentor morning it was so cold that and has been there for him there was frost on the grass. throughout his time as a Coach Hrnciar was there golfer. to keep me in the moment, “My father has always telling me not to have any known that I have wanted negative thoughts. During to be a great golfer,” Bounds the first nine holes we were said. “He is basically a mentor. shivering.”

Every time I finish a round of Bounds said that this golf I will call him, and we will tournament was a difficult go through it hole by hole. He one for the men’s golf team, but the team has the talent to is always there for me, and he is always pushing me. When perform.

I am sleeping when I should “This was one of our be on the golf course, he is the more difficult tournaments,” Bounds said. “We played well, one who tells me to get out of bed.” but not great. We all have

Bounds said that his appreciation for golf comes from the ability to constantly grow through the sport.

“It is individual, and it is the hardest game in the world,” Bounds said. “You can always get better, you can never master it and you are always learning new things.”

Going to high school at Plano West Senior High, Bounds and the golf team won their district tournament.

“My senior year in high school the team won district, and I got second individually,” Bounds said.

Bounds also said that the competition he has faced has become more challenging as he made the leap from high school golf to playing at the college level.

“The competition keeps getting more difficult and the golf courses are much better compared to high school,” Bounds said.

According to Bounds, being able to work under men’s head golf coach Jerry Hrnciar was good incentive to come to CU and join the golf team, and having a friend on

the team aided in his decision as well.

“Coach Hrnciar drew me to this university,” Bounds said. “He is such a good golf coach and knows so much about the game. He always has advice, like how to get

through a golf tournament when you are sick. My buddy Michael Kelly was also on the team, which was a deciding factor as well.”

Bounds plans on one day playing in the PGA tour, but understands the patience and

practice it will take.

“I am going to play golf as long as I can,” Bounds said.

“The dream has always been to play in the PGA tour one day. I just have to stay patient and keep practicing.”

Kreger’s assistant coach at VIC. According to Kreger, the cross-country program at VIC was in the process of being cut along with other programs.

“Our program was being cut along with some other sports programs, so I went to other schools to visit;” Kreger said. “I did not want to change my training, because it was working for me, and I knew that coach Aguero out here would not change my training.”

Kreger said that his college team motivated him to perform better in each race.

“I would say the biggest motivation I have had was my team in college,” Kreger said. “A lot of people were faster and more experienced,

and when it got to be tough, they were the ones there.”

Kreger received his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from CU in 2010. Following that, he started taking courses for his Master’s Degree at East Central University online and other courses at CU. “Less than three weeks after receiving my Bachelor’s Degree I started my Master’s at East Central,” Kreger said.

“I did that online and took some of my classes here as a part of a co-op program. So I was a graduate assistant coach here and had another job with student housing at the time. I graduated with my Master’s Degree in July 2011.”

After acquiring his Master’s Degree, Kreger went to Clarendon, Texas,

where he coached men’s and women’s cross-country, before returning to CU. “Two weeks into August of 2011 I went to Clarendon College in Clarendon, Texas, where I coached men’s and women’s cross-country,” Kreger said. “I was there for a semester and then I came back here.”

Kreger said he likes coaching at Cameron, as it is a return to his alma mater and because of his familiarity with the campus.

“I like it here because I ran here,” Kreger said. “I can better relate to my athletes since I have been here so long; I know enough about the campus and the people, and I am comfortable in the environment.”

Despite still being in the cross-country game, Kreger

said that coaching the sport is different from playing due to the technological issues.

“While playing, all you have to worry about is training and listening to your coach. All it takes is the hard work and putting in the miles,” Kreger said. “With coaching, other than making up schedules and coaching the athletes, everything else consists of meetings, recruiting and paperwork. It is still enjoyable, though.”

In his time off, Kreger also takes part in races for charity.

“I do community races depending on how hard I am training,” Kreger said.

“The next community event may be a marathon in February, and I am getting ready for the Oklahoma City marathon in April.”

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Fairway play: Sophomore Corey Bounds prepares to take his next shot during practice. Bounds led the men’s golf team with an overall score of 70 during the Ryan Palmer invitational Oct. 8 and 9. The team will next play Oct. 22 to 23 in San Antonio.

CU alumni returns to coach cross-country Tyler Boydston Sports Editor

Before he was the men’s cross-country coach at Cameron University, Casey Kreger began as a crosscountry runner in middle school while in Virginia.

Kreger said his introduction to crosscountry started while trying to find a new sport to participate in during eighth

grade.

“I started cross-country while looking for something different to do in middle school,” Kreger said. “I liked it, and from there it went well.”

Graduating from Meadowbrook High School in 2005, Kreger then went to Virginia Intermont College, where he met former CU men’s cross-country coach Matt Aguero, who was