Friday, April 6, 2012

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Supreme Court gets strip-search decision wrong (opinion, page 3) The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

F R I DAY, A P R I L 6 , 2 012

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

hOUSInG & FOOD

Student found dead in dorm room OU officials believe pre-existing health condition the cause ennIS KOOnCe

pre-existing health condition, a university spokesman said in an email to The Daily. Ennis Koonce, 33, was found dead in his room by a staff memRACHAEL CERVENKA ber at about 6 a.m., university Campus Reporter spokesman Michael Nash said. The university is currently inAn OU graduate student died of natural causes Thursday in vestigating further into Koonce’s Adams Center as a result of a death, Nash said.

Koonce was a resident director at Adams Center and lived alone, said Clarke Stroud, dean of students and vice president for Student Affairs. Koonce was loved and respected by his peers in Housing and Food Services, and this loss is tough for the organization, Stroud said. Koonce was a valuable and

Former Sooner football star to donate $1m

important member of the OU community, Stroud said. OU President David Boren said the university family was sad to learn about Koonce’s death. “Ennis was a graduate student in higher education who leaves see DEATH paGe 2

SHEAR SUPPORT

Adrian Peterson pledges $1 million to Ou athletic department. See more on Page 5

Students shave off their hair to raise funds for childhood cancer research

UOSa

Voter turnout lowest in 11 years About 10 percent of students cast ballot in election CHASE COOK

Managing Editor

meLodie LettKeman/tHe daiLy

university College freshman Dani Nagel takes in her freshly shaven head during St. Baldrick’s Day on Thursday on the South Oval. Her shave was the second of 31 participants that day. Nagel raised $1,180 of the more than $4,000 raised by Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity in partnership with St. Baldrick’s, which raises money for childhood cancer research and encourages people to shave their heads in support of cancer patients, who often lose their hair during treatment. For complete coverage of Thursday’s St. Baldrick’s Day event, including a photo gallery, visit OUDaily.com/news

FOReIGn aFFaIRS

Israel crucial to national security, lawmaker says Democratic process a key reason for support CHRIS MILLER

Assistant Campus Editor

A strong diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Israel is crucial for both nations’ stability, a U.S. congressman said during an on-campus speech Thursday. Rep. James Lankford, R-Okla., delivered his speech, titled “Stronger To g e t h e r,” i n t h e O k l a h o m a Memorial Union’s Heritage Room. During his speech, Lankford presented and discussed a series of slides taken during a recent trip to Israel, which he said influenced his opinion of the nation’s politics and importance to the U.S. “There is a perception of Israel as ... the United States’ younger

brother,” Lankford said. “That is certainly not the case.” During his travels, Lankford met with current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in addition to seeing many of the nation’s most historic sites, he said. When he spoke with both Israelis and Palestinians, he was struck by the fact that both groups sought a long-term solution for peace in the region, he said. “When you talk about peace in the Middle East, you meet two groups of people who want nothing more than for their children to grow up in peace,” he said. “How is that done? Security is a big issue.” Israel’s status as the only functioning democracy in the Middle East CHris miLLer/tHe daiLy and existing trade agreements be- Oklahoma Rep. James lankford describes a photograph taken during his visit to Israel. tween the two nations both can con- During his speech Thursday, lankford detailed reasons Americans should support a tribute to that security, he said. strong relationship with Israel, which can be of mutual benefit to both countries, he said.

CamPUS VOL. 97, NO. 132

© 2012 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25 cents

An uncontested election and lack of campaigning may have contributed to the lowest UOSA Spring 2012 General Election voter turnout in the last 11 academic years. Of the 22,290 students enrolled on the Norman Campus, 2,222 students, or 10 percent, cast votes in the election. The Campus Activities Council chair race was the only contested high-profile UOSA seat. The election also featured 13 uncontested elections, including the UOSA president and vice president. Election Board chairman Cole Jackson said he was pleased with the work of his election board, but the election turnout was a different story. “It ’s pretty obvious we are lacking voters,” Jackson said. “I’m not too happy with it.” The uncontested elections led to less campaigning, which meant students were less aware about student government, Jackson said. Students aren’t inherently apathetic, but they can’t care about something if they don’t know about it, he said. Jackson’s election board filed its election report with the UOSA Superior Court in accordance with UOSA’s Code Annotated. The court has 96 hours after the polls close to meet and validate the election results. If there are no grievances filed, elected officers will be inaugurated a week after the results are validated.

The Daily’s open record requests

Student details battle with quitting smoking

Requested document and purpose

Date requested

The Daily’s Sam Higgins explains his withdrawals after attending his first cessation session Monday. (Page 2)

non-identifying aggregate data for withdrawals, drops and failing grades for all intersession courses from may 2010 to august 2011 — To look for trends in performance and completion of intersession courses.

Monday

Monday

nOW OnlIne at

lIFe & aRtS

OU gymnastics to open tournament competition

Grammy award-winning trio takes norman stage

enrollment capacity and non-identifying aggregate grade data for undergraduate students of may and august 2011 intersession courses — To look for trends in enrollment and grades.

Thursday

The women’s gymnastics team competes against five programs during NCAA regionals Saturday in Champaign, Ill. (Sports)

Country-rock trio lady Antebellum will perform Saturday night at lloyd Noble Center. (Page 6)

non-identifying information about the number of students on OU’s insurance plan from 2010 to present — To compare the number who purchased the plan before and after the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Campus ........................ Classifieds .................. Life & Arts ................... Opinion ...................... Sports .........................

2 4 6 3 5

Ben WiLLiams/tHe daiLy

Sophomore Destinee Martinez considers stealing third Thursday during Ou’s come-from-behind, 3-1 win against Texas Tech at Marita Hynes Field. (Page 5)

Visit OUDaily.com/openrecords for a complete list of The Daily’s requests


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