OU women’s hoops survive overtime scare with Jayhawks (page 6) The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916
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2 011 G OL D C ROW N F I N A L I S T
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Health inspection reports misleading Local restaurants subject to random health services
Corner restaurants have performed well in recent state food safety inspections, but for several student favorites the results can be misleadMarK SiMPSon ing, a state health inspector Campus Reporter said. All Campus Corner resThe latest Oklahoma State Department of Health re- taurants are subject to ranports show most Campus dom inspection by health
department officials during any hours of operation, according to state food code, but public health specialist Phillip Jurina said he believes a recently implemented grading system is unbalanced and often leaves restaurant looking bad. Jurina is responsible for
inspecting Campus Corner restaurants to ensure they are in compliance with state food regulations, and he said the online database maintained by the State Health Department does not provide the public enough information about inspectors’ findings because it is based
off old inspection methods. In November 2011, Oklahoma legislators amended parts of the state food code and now the online database does not match the new scoring system used to inspect restaurants, Jurina said. “The restaurants on
Campus Corner tend to do a pretty good job on inspections for the volume and turnover they have, but the numbers are skewed,” Jurina said. “You can’t just look at the database for these restaurants.” see FOOD pAGe 2
SpEakEr
campuS involvEmEnt
Emissary promotes national alliance Brazil’s emergence key for America, ambassador says coco coUrtoiS Campus Reporter
hour for positions requiring more background or experience in a particular field, Biggerstaff said. “Since we are in a competitive job market, students should apply for all positions they have an interest and
A political emissary from one of the world’s emerging economic powers visited OU’s Norman campus Tuesday. Among the events on Brazilian Ambassador to the U.S. Mauro Vieira’s itinerar y w ere a tour of campus with OU President David Boren, a discussion with College of International Studies dean Zach Messitte and chair of Latin American Studies Alan McPherson at the studios of National Public Radio’s on-campus affiliate and the delivery of a keynote speech at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. When Vieira came t o t h e KG O U s t u d i o s in Copeland Hall to speak with Messitte and McPherson, economic issues were among the most-discussed subjects. “Last year’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent,” Vieira said during the interview. “We’re very proud of it. We want to keep this low employment rate, but of course, we’ll have to work hard.” Vieira and Messitte also discussed President Barack Obama’s first visit to Brazil in March. “ I t ’s a g o o d t h i n g Obama went to Brazil,” Vieira said. “[Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff] were able to talk a lot about our bilateral agenda: global issues and regional issues.” During the discussion, McPherson drew a comparison between Brazil’s and Oklahoma’s energy plans.
see WORK pAGe 2
see BRAZIL pAGe 2
Ben WiLLiAms/tHe DAiLy
Robin Gayanger, North American culture studies exchange student from France, catches a ball during rugby practice Tuesday. Gayanger joined OU’s club rugby team to get involved on campus during his time in America. Other exchange students also are finding ways to meet people on campus.
Exchange students find niché at OU Sooners seeking shared experiences discover activities on campus coco coUrtoiS Campus Reporter
For exchange students surrounded by unfamiliar faces thousands of miles from home, integration can seem a daunting task. But getting involved is within anyone’s reach, and Robin Gayanger thinks of himself as proof.
The French North American cultural studies student joined the OU rugby team before the fall semester even began. “I knew I was going to join the club before coming to OU,” Gayanger said. “I didn’t feel like not doing any sports for a year.” Gayanger had practiced rugby on a collegiate level before attending OU, but he knew the sport was less popular in the U.S., he said. “Rugby here is less developed than in France. For example the rugby team is not actually OU
official. It’s a club on the campus playing for OU,” Gayanger said. “Which means I had to pay a $200 inscription for the year.” Despite the decreased popularity of the sport, Gayanger was surprised by the level of competition, he said. “For a college team, the level is really good,” Gayanger said. “I made a lot of progress here, as much skill-wise as on a personal plan.” As part of his involvement with the club, Gayanger has even taken
trips with the team to compete outside of Norman. “We went several times to Dallas and other places of Texas,” Gayanger said. “Actually, During the OU-Texas [football] game, we were playing the OU-Texas rugby game at the same time. We won, obviously.” Even after beating the Longhorn rugby team, the most important aspect of participating with the university’s rugby club team has see INVOLVEMENT pAGe 3
JoBS
Sooners attracted to on-campus employment Student workers make up about 30% of OU jobs
campus jobs in the past five years, and after a dip in 2010, those numbers are on the rise once again. During the fall 2011 semesJoHn KUBLer ter, students held 28.7 percent Campus Reporter of on-campus jobs, with 3,425 Part- or full-time student of 11,932 positions filled, acworkers have consistently cording to employment data held 27 to 30 percent of on- provided by OU Employment
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INsIDE Campus .......................... 2 Classifieds .................. 7 Life & Arts .................. 8 Opinion ...................... 4 Sports ......................... 6
NOW ON
preschool taking traditional approach
and Compensation Services Assistant Director Diana Biggerstaff. In the past five years, this percentage was the secondhighest behind fall 2009, when 29.7 percent of oncampus jobs were held by students, according to the employment data.
The lowest two percentages during that span occurred in fall 2007 and fall 2008 with 27.23 percent and 27.16 percent of jobs held by students respectively. Many employment opportunities exist for students on campus with a pay range of $7.25 per hour to $22 per
From stone tablets to digital tablets
Rose Rock School’s expansion plans include OU students. (page 3)
opinion total racial equality not yet achieved Black History Month is still relevant, even with such progress. (page 4)
multimEdia
column
Sooner ruggers will head to 7s tourney
cut calories with home-cookin’ tips
OU Rugby Club explains differences with football, rivalries. (oudaily.com)
Most food items can be healthier if you prepare them yourself. (page 8)
meLoDie LettKemAn/tHe DAiLy
Adam Evans, self-proclaimed ambassador of reconciliation, reads Bible verses from his Kindle on Tuesday on the South Oval. Evans uses the verses for his sermons to students who pass by.
The Daily’s open record requests Requested document and purpose
Date requested
all drafted recommendations by the president’s tobacco advisory committee from Jan. 1, 2012 to present — This was requested to gather more information on the recommendations provided to President David Boren before the tobacco ban was implemented.
Jan. 25
all complaints filed against the ou police department during the past two years — These documents were requested to look into the types of and number of complaints filed against OUPD.
Monday
mike Stoops’ contract — This was requested to gather more information on the contract offered to Stoops.
Monday