The Cameron University Collegian: September 24, 2007

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COLLEGIAN THE CA M ERON U N I V ER SIT Y

Monday, September 24, 2007

News

Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926

Volume 81 Issue 4

Emergency: Press for Assistance unable to speak to the officer in the event of Collegian Staff an attack. The safety towers Campus assistance is only also include flashing the touch of a button away. lights on top. These It has been over a year are an added safety since Cameron installed feature that can be the Assistance Call Boxes seen all over campus throughout the campus, and and from the streets they have already been very when activated. The useful to students, faculty intent is to bring as and visitors. much attention as The call boxes were possible to those in previously called Emergency serious need. Call Boxes, but the name was Ronan said that changed so those needing the towers have been assistance would not hesitate quite successful. to ask. From fixing a flat “We average about tire or simply asking for three to four calls a directions, officers are here to week for assistance,” Photo by Jim Horinek help in any way they can. Ronin said, “and Cameron is one of pranks are very rare.” Take a left then a right: Cameron police officer Jack Youman gives directions to Becca several universities in The Office of Frazier a sophomore biology major. Roughly a year ago, 13 safety towers were installed the area to adopt Public Safety has on campus. The towers offer students and visitors quick access to directions, emergency security boxes as two or three officers part of new on- assistance and other services. patrolling the campus campus security systems. campus. during the day and two officers at night to ensure While the safety towers The Office of Public Safety carefully considered that students can get assistance at all times. are mainly used for nonthe locations for the boxes. They placed them According to Ronan, Cameron cannot emergencies, Cameron around high-traffic areas on campus. do enough to keep its installed them to Jim Ronan, Director of Public Safety, said, students protected increase the safety “The 13 strategically-located call boxes were and safe while of those students placed throughout the campus where they would they are on that attend, be the most useful to students.” campus. live and The twelve-foot, energy-efficient call boxes work on are completely solar-powered and contain a radio “President in each box that is directly linked to all campus Ross is officers patrolling the campus. Each call box is constantly designated with a number so that campus security SEE TOWERS will know exactly where assistance is needed. The boxes are designed to send for help if students are Page 2

By Brandi O’Daniel

University housing joins reality television boom. SEE PAGE 3

A&E

Music department rings in fall season on high note.

Renowned writer makes impact on campus By Laura Batule

SEE PAGE 7

Collegian Staff Cameron University students, faculty and members of the community gathered last Tuesday in the library reading room to listen to renowned author and journalist Julie Salamon speak about her life experiences. No matter what expectations people arrived with, hopefully, they were not only met, but exceeded as this distinguished woman shared memories, insights and invaluable advice to those who share her love and passion for the art of writing and storytelling. Photo by Laura Batule “All of us come from a tradition

Sports

Volleyball team sends A&M Commerce packing in LSC opener. SEE PAGE 8

Voices

Government portrays message that drugs can fix everything. SEE PAGE 5

of stories…we want to pass down our stories to others,” Salamon said. “We are all connected through our stories.” A child of refugee parents, Salamon shared memories of her hometown Seaman, Ohio, a small impoverished town of less than 800 that welcomed her family with open arms. Her father was a medical doctor who instilled in both his daughters that they should never be dependent on anyone. He also stressed the importance of being grateful and of giving back. “My father had an education,” Salamon said. “He always told

us that we must learn a skill, and education, education, education. I became a lawyer and although I have never used my law degree, I have an education and I have a skill.” As a child growing up in a small town, Salamon explained that there was no library, but a Bookmobile that came to town on a regular basis. “I had no idea what books I was taking,” she said. “I would leave the Bookmobile carrying a tall stack of books in my arms.

SEE SALAMON Page 2

SGA appoints new vice president, receives new senate body By Bira Vidal Collegian Staff With a new senator body and a new vice president, the Student Government Association is up and running at its full capacity. The senator body is now composed of returning senators and incoming freshmen, after the elections placed on Sept. 5 and 6. Julianne Moini, the SGA Secretary, said the election had a good turn out from the students. “We had a lot of students come to vote, it’s been really great,” she said. While choosing the new senators, students voted for a new vice president. Tobias Kuhn, a senator last year, assumed the position of SGA Vice President on Sept. 11. This year’s SGA will find the presence of more committee than the previous years. President Wozencraft said the committees will have a greater role in the SGA body when it comes to decision making and functioning with SGA. The activities committee, the legislative committee, the judicial committee, the elections committee and the finance committee are among groups that will have a great decision-making presence. Each will have a determined and essential task throughout the year. For last week’s meeting, President Wozencraft announced a guest speaker would talk to the SGA members about Cameron’s budget information and future buildings on campus.

President Cindy Ross attended the meeting and discussed the tuition increase and the opportunities for a greater number of scholarships for Cameron students. “Developing this budget has been a particularly challenging process,” Dr. Ross said. “This amount includes necessary costs increases for health insurances, utilities, library material and automation, minimum wage and retirement benefits.” Dr. Ross explained the tuition increase was due to the amount of capitol released by the Oklahoma State regents for Higher Education, the current university’s expenses, and its comparisons to the previous years. “Because of the lack of state support, Cameron is forced to increase tuition and fees by 9.4 percent,” Dr. Ross said. “The increase in the tuition and fees is an unfortunate but necessary response to historically low state funding. However, Cameron University continues to offer a top quality education at an affordable price.” Dr. Ross also discussed the plans for the new buildings on campus and the current projects for the business building and CETES Phase II. With the centennial celebration approaching, the Student Activities Complex and the

Centennial Gardens will serve Cameron students and the southwest Oklahoma community. The question of campus parking was raised during the meeting. The Centennial Gardens will be built where the current parking lot is, north of the Shepler towers. Dr. Ross said new parking will be built on a lot south of the Shepler towers. In closing, Dr. Ross reminded the SGA body once more why Cameron University is the best choice in higher education in Southwest Oklahoma and the future plans for this year and SGA. “Cameron University continues to be the ‘university of choice’ for southwest Oklahoma,” she said. “I look forward to the upcoming academic year as Cameron’s tradition of excellence continues.”

Graphic by Jim Horinek


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