Collegian T he Cameron University
www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, March 30, 2015
Volume 92 Issue 7
Students against concealed carry weapons on campus Kaley Patterson A&E Editor
@KaleyKayPatt Many school shootings occurred across American campuses in the last decade. Politicians and voters consistently argue over what is a better line of defense: allowing concealed carry weapons on school grounds or keeping them off the premises. The Cameron University Student Government Association recently passed Resolution: 3114008, “A bill calling for the prohibition of concealed carry weapons (CCW) on college and university campuses.” The legislation credits the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics by stating that while on campus, college students are safer than the school’s surrounding population and community. Authors SGA Vice President Nikki Kirk and Treasurer Casey Meeks argue in their legislation that there is no credible evidence of deeming armed campuses as safer, allowing CCWs would complicate the jobs of campus police officials, CCWs would not have a positive impact on Cameron’s campus and would decrease the safety and security of the university and its inhabitants. On March 10, the legislation passed through the CU SGA governing body with 17 in the yes, eight in the no and five in the abstention. Even though there was a large amount of legislators abstaining, Kirk believes the students are still doing their jobs as SGA officials. “That was a weirdly high number,” Kirk said. “I think some people almost felt a little
bit uncomfortable about it ... just with the idea like maybe they were for it and just didn’t want to say that in front of everybody. People don’t want to be perceived as violent if they’re in favor of [concealed carry]. “But at the same time, I was glad there were some NOs because it shows that they actually went back and spoke to their constituents ... I was glad there was a difference of opinion because it showed that people actually did what they’re supposed to.” Right now in Oklahoma, it is illegal to have CCWs on the campuses of state institutions. Currently there are legislations dealing with the issue of CCWs on college campuses in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma Senate Public Safety Committees: HB 1143, HB 1265, SB 557, SB 461, SB 212 and SB 553. Kirk said other universities in Oklahoma drafted similar bills to make known their opposition of CCWs on college campuses and presented their ideals to the Oklahoma Capitol. Resolution 3114008 voices Cameron University’s opinion of CCWs on campus which will be heard by the Oklahoma Legislature. “After the reading during the questions,
somebody asked where it would go and how long it would take to get there,” Kirk said. “Zeak [Naifeh] said that after it was approved in chamber, it would be at the capitol within the week. So it should already be there.” Kirk said the CU SGA has not heard from the Oklahoma Legislature regarding Cameron’s opposition to CCWs on college campuses. Student Activities Specialist and SGA Co-Advisor Leslie Cothren believes Cameron’s opposition does have an influence even though there are currently state legislations dealing with this issue. “The purpose is for institutions of higher education to kind of say, in general, ‘We don’t really want weapons on campus,’” Cothren said. “Because while there are various bills out there that kind of talk about it, even if they get out of the committees and they die doesn’t
mean it can’t be added on to a different amendment or bill somewhere else. So it’s kind of just to make a statement to go, ‘We like things the way they are. We don’t want this to happen. We don’t think it would be a good thing on our campus or on education campuses, in general, for that to happen.’” If legislation in the Oklahoma Legislature passes allowing CCWs on college campuses, Cameron – a state institution – would have to comply with the state law even though the university has an amendment in place voicing opposition. But Cothren said the bill would not be ignored entirely. “Your legislation is always good since it has passed and moved forward,” Cothren said. “It’s good to say, ‘Yeah, this is important to us.’ So it’s not really killed, since ours already passed. Even if all the other bills passed, and it happens and there’s handguns, we still have said, ‘We don’t really like them here.’ It doesn’t change anything, but we’ve kind of made our statement.” Photo courtesy of Courtney Glazer
Experience Berlin Photo by Jacob Jardel
We are the champions Jacob Jardel
For a first-person perspective on studying abroad in Germany during spring break, See PAGE 2
of kids that week,” Vanderslice Assistant Managing Editor said. “Their responsibility is to hang out with them, eat with @JJardel_Writing them, sleep in the cabins with them and get them up in the While summer is a time morning to take them to their for many to soak up the sun, attendees at Cameron’s Camp of activities.” Events such as hiking, Champs spend that time giving arts and crafts, canoeing and back and growing. games fill up the schedule for From June 1-4, Cameron campers and counselors. Special University will host the seventh education teachers, many of annual camp for children with whom were students under special needs. Counselors and campers will spend the week at Vanderslice, plan out the events Quartz Mountain, participating that do more than just entertain. “Our goal is to work in activities to stimulate growth on developing social skills, and camaraderie. communication skills and Director of Camp of Champs Dr. Ronna Vanderslice interpersonal skills,” she said. “We do fun activities, but what said that the camp hosts 50 children age 6-13 annually, all of we’re doing is trying to teach whom vary in severity of needs. those things in the context of a very fun environment.” Cameron students work as Vanderslice said the fulfilling counselors during this time, but she feels as if they do more than aspects of Camp of Champs stem from the fact that it just their job descriptions. provides the campers with an “What they do is to serve opportunity they otherwise as a pseudo-parent for a group
would not have. “Most kids get to go to a variety of camps as they grow up,” Vanderslice said. “But children who have disabilities don’t really have the opportunity. There aren’t a lot of camps that are equipped to manage the needs that they have.” Vanderslice said that this service provides both students and campers opportunities to learn more than just the instructions of an activity. For campers, the learning comes from the bond they create with the counselors. “[Though] you’re with these children for four days, it’s meaningful to them,” Vanderslice said. “You’re like their parent, so they get very close to you – and you to them.” For more details on Camp of Champs, visit www.cameron. edu/education_school/camp-ofchamps.
What’s inside Take a run with Dr. Tyrrell
New times for old fairy tale
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Jamming with 580 Rollergirls Page 6