Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Page 1

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

w e D n e s DA Y, M A R C H 6 , 2 013

W W W.O U DA I LY.C O M

2 011 S I LV E R C R O W N W I N N E R

HOMe FinAle

Opinion: Science education under attack again in Okla. (Page 4)

Section: Sooners square off against Mountaineers. (page 7)

BUDgeT CUTS

OUDaily.com: Find out about “The Vagina Monologues” first performance. ADviSing

research to be affected by sequester New The enacted sequester will make a huge dent in necessary funds MaTT raVIS

campus Reporter

Research programs at OU may be affected by last week’s automatic sequestration budget cuts, the university’s Vice President of Research said. Sequestration involves automatic, all-encompassing cuts to government agencies, such as those that provide research funding. For the remainder of fiscal year 2013, which ends June 30, Norman campus’ federal research expenditures could fall by between $1.3 million and $2.5 million, depending on how the agencies prioritize the cuts, said OU Vice President of Research Kelvin Droegemeier. In the 2014 fiscal year, the expenditures could drop by $5.5 million to $10 million. The cuts won’t affect as many people during the remainder of this fiscal year, however. When the new fiscal year begins, the effects will be much

more far reaching, Droegemeier said. For instance, sequestration probably will have a small impact on non-faculty researchers in 2013, but in the next fiscal year, some 50 individuals could be impacted by the loss of all or part of their funding, Droegemeier said. Likewise, graduate students in 2013 likely will not be affected, but in 2014 another 50 students could lose all or part of their funding. Despite the budget cuts, Droegemeier said he expects the university to remain focused on research with programs that are progressing. “[Budget cuts] will not be allowed to diminish the university’s bold advancements in research,” Droegemeier said. Additionally, students funded by federal research grants will be protected, and existing core areas of research will receive priority consideration, he said. Because undergraduate research is a priority at OU, people within the university will continue to invest internally and aggressively seek external funding, Droegemeier said.

BY THE NUMBERS University research possible budget cuts

1.7-3.3 7.8-14

percent ($1.3-2.5m) until June 30

percent ($5.5-10m) after June 30

• the higher of the numbers reflects the fact that some federal agencies already have chosen to avoid furloughing their employees, leading to potentially greater cuts to funding programs upon which oU depends.

Source: Kelvin Droegemeier, OU vice president of research

BUilDing BlOOD veSSelS

Blood vessel research flows forward Less traumatic surgeries on horizon PaIGHTEn HarkInS

assistant campus editor

An OU researcher is working on a project that could revolutionize two highly invasive procedures making them more tolerable by using a part of the body many humans have to spare. Matthias Nollert, a chemical, biological and materials engineering professor at OU, has been working on a way to convert fat into something useful: a blood vessel that can be used in coronary artery bypass surgeries and potentially save lives. Nollert and his team of researchers are making blood vessels from the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus, and stem cells taken from about a quarter-size amount of fat, taken by liposuction, Nollert said. The current surgery procedures move an existing blood vessel, typically taken from one’s inner thigh, to the heart to bypass a blocked artery, said Julien Arrizabalaga, chemical engineering graduate student working on the project. That system is incredibly invasive though, and often the people requiring the bypass surgery in the first place, such as the elderly or diabetics, can’t handle such an

CEDar FLOYD

campus Reporter

Student can discuss conflict in South Asia centered on a film screening and comments by a panel of experts tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Robert S. Kerr Auditorium at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. The discussion titled Gendered Violence in the State of Kashmir will open with a screening of “Ocean of Tears,” a 25 minute film by young Kashmiri film producer Bilal Jan. The film follows how the Indian state has established its control see SCREENING paGe 2

oud-2013-3-06-a-001, 002.indd 1

BEnnETT HaLL campus Reporter

Alex Scott, an OU junior, is majoring in plant biology, but this hasn’t always been his path. For a while, he didn’t even have a path. Scott said he flipflopped within the College of Arts and Sciences for a long time and wasn’t sure what he was trying to get out of his time at OU, but things started to change when he met with Michele Nabonne, an academic advising specialist at the university’s recently-established Academic Advising Resource Center. “I think it’s really difficult for students when they choose to switch majors several times and have no plan,” Scott said. Since the fall of 2011, Nabonne and fellow advising specialist Kendra Tahsequah have been working closely with undergraduates, like Scott, who have more than 45 credit hours and whose majors are currently undecided or who have been stopped-out of a program because of grade point average deficits, said Joyce Allman, associate provost for academic advising. These students always had been placed into University College, but the advisers there are just not specialized in working with students with advanced standing,” Allman said. About 300 students are

New program will lower the cost of college textbooks

pHoto iLLUstration By aUstin mCCrosKie/tHe DaiLy

renOvATiOn

Discussion: Violence in India University Club to Panel of experts hope to shed light on conflict in India

Students find help in advising

see ADVISING paGe 2

see SURGERY paGe 2

FilM SCreening

center spells success

reopen in April

Renovations nearly complete, club building to resume previous functions InDIa MaXWELL campus Reporter

The University Club, originally called the Faculty Club, will reopen in mid-April, after undergoing renovations that started in December 2011. Renovations are being completed at the club now, and it should open during the second week of April, said OU Press Secretary Michael Nash. The University Club was established at OU in 1925 and has been part of the university ever since. The club has had no major renovations in over 25

years, said President Boren in a press release. The club serves as a gathering place for faculty, staff and graduate students, but it can also host events such as wedding receptions and private dinners, Nash said. Undergraduate students may reserve the space for special events and may also use the club as guests of club members, Nash said.

Opinion: some oU professors want to use textbooks that are much cheaper than the average. (Page 4)

Blog provides a paradise for DIY, style lovers L&A: the Free people blog covers everything from fashion to food with a fun, bohemian twist. (Page 6)

VOL. 98, NO. 108 © 2012 oU publications Board fREE — additional copies 25¢

iNSiDE ToDaY Campus......................2 Clas si f ie ds................5 L i f e & a r t s ..................6 o p inio n.....................4 spor ts........................7 Visit OUDaily.com for more

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3/5/13 10:35 PM


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