Thursday, September 1, 2011

Soccer player does more than follow siblings’ footsteps (page B1) The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

T H U R s DAY, s e P T e M B e R 1, 2 011

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

2 010 G OL D C ROW N W I N N E R

Nıght Museum at the

tuition

credit score threat to ou Low rating could heavily influence student finanes BlaYKlee BUChanan Campus Reporter

pHotos By auBrie HiLL/tHe daiLy

don Helmers, security supervisor at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, patrols the museum looking for intruders or lost items Tuesday night.

Guards protect musuem’s treasures

T

A recent affirmation of OU’s credit rating won’t immediately impact students, but the concerns outlined in a recent report could lead to students paying more tuition for school.

Fitch Ratings said in OU’s credit report that the university’s record as the flagship institution in Oklahoma helped maintain its AA grade, but gave the university a negative outlook because of debt and cost concerns.

The negative outlook means it’s possible for OU’s credit rating to be downgraded in the future if it doesn’t take care of Fitch’s financial concerns.

A downgrade could heavily influence student finances, as well as various financial aid services

CaItlIn RUeMPInG Campus Reporter

see FITCH paGe a2

he smell of a high school anatomy class wafts in the air as security supervisor Don Helmers walks the nightly rounds through the herpetology collection.

Many people will never witness the sight of amphibians from across the world suspended in formaldehyde, but for the guards at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, it’s another job perk.

Security guards make nightly rounds to monitor collections and rooms, and they rely on more than 30 cameras and proximity timekeepers to monitor what might go bump in the night.

The timekeepers maintain a running record of who goes where in the museum via access cards.

The timekeepers keep track of the coming and goings in the museum, but cameras on the parking lot reveal the most action at

night. “[Monday] we caught a couple out front fornicating,” public safety officer Vince Camp said. “We’re supposed to call OUPD when stuff like that happens, but if you walk out with a flashlight, they’ll bolt.”

Fellow public safety officer David Jones notes that outside activity is more common than issues inside, because the museum is so close to the fraternity and sorority houses. He said he pays special attention to the

sooner fans

The back rooms of Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History hold hundreds of specimins and other artifacts out of public view.

bison statues out front during football season.

“We have to keep close watch on the buffalo during the OU-Colorado week,” Jones said. “Kids have tried tagging the buffalo.”

Though antics are common, the guards uphold the standards of the security office and said they never hesitate to approach harmless trespassers and ask them to

leave the premises.

“I know that they’re in college and are just having fun,” Camp said. “I don’t want to get them in trouble, but it’s my job.”

When all is quiet out front, the guards take advantage of their unique surroundings.

“I like walking through the collections because not see MUSEUM paGe a2

“You can’t put a price on the museum. When you include the dinosaur fossils and the artwork, it’s priceless.” dON HELMERS, SECURITY SUPERVISOR

Students’ football wisdom tested UPB to offer awards for Sooner game predictions JalIsa GReen Staff Reporter

The Union Programming Board is hosting an event Friday in the Oklahoma Memorial Union to test S ooner fans’ football knowledge.

Questions will ask students to predict what could happen before the game.

“The questions aren’t hard, and we don’t ask anything that you see QUESTIONS paGe a2

oPinion VOL. 97, NO. 12 © 2011 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25 cents

www.OUDaily.com www.facebook.com/OUDaily www.twitter.com/OUDaily

INsIDe News ..........................

Classifieds ..................

Life & Arts ..................

Opinion ......................

Sports .........................

A2 B4 B5 A4 B1

NOw ON

rape should not be stereotyped

Bradford joins enshrined Sooner football greats

Serial violators make up large number of assaults, columnist writes. (Page a4)

ou researchers grow fungi for treatments

lI lIn

Cheerios provide place for new types of fungi to grow. (Page a3)

Life & arts

Drama students to travel abroad

freshman creates new fashion line

Students to perform at Italian theater festival. (ouDaily.com)

Student wants to better understand her company’s business. (Page B6)

High temperatures alter staff schedules Department has employees work at cooler times of day

neWs

MuLtiMeDia

heat

Campus Reporter

KinGsLey Burns/tHe daiLy

Workers prepare to unload Sam Bradford’s statue Wednesday in Heisman Park. The 1,200-pound statue was erected this week, but the ceremony will be delayed until Bradford is available. (Page a5)

Though the summer’s record-breaking heat kept many p e ople indo ors, higher temperaures instead mean more work and slight modifications for OU Facilities Management’s normal utility operation.

The depar tment decided to make necessary

changes to employees’ work schedules so they could take advantage of cooler times in the day , deparment Director Brian Ellis said.

Workers also have been encouraged to take more breaks throughout the day to rehydrate.

“It has been fun to see our employees starting to bond together this summer,” Ellis said.

And while conditions see HEAT paGe a3

A2

• Thursday, September 1, 2011

news

Chase Cook, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

fitch: Report influences regents’ budgeting Continued from page A1

Today around campus Sara Schneckloth’s art exhibit will be on display in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s Lightwell Gallery. Schneckloth’s art will be on display until Sept. 9.

Fall 2011 first billing statement.

A lecture by Sara Schneckloth will take place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. The event will be followed by a reception for Schneckloth at 5 p.m. in the museum’s Lightwell Gallery.

The lecture is free.

The Sound Lounge will host a free concert from 8 to 10 p.m. on the Oklahoma Memorial Union lawn. The concert will feature local music talent. The concert is free for OU students.

because, according to Fitch’s report, its credit-rating system is one of the resources the OU Board of Regents uses to determine budgeting.

This includes, but is not limited to, how much money will be designated in specific places, where it will be cut from and how much OU will charge students for tuition.

Despite the poor outlook

by Fitch, OU is making financial cuts to prevent a tuition increase, said Matt Hamilton, registrar and vice president for Enrollment and Student Financial Services.

“All departments have been asked to trim their expenses in an effort to limit tuition increases,” Hamilton

AT A GLANCE: behind the ratings Fitch decided to keep the university’s AA credit because of: • Strong enrollment retention • Diverse revenue base • Adequate resources • OU’s status as the flagship institution of higher education in Oklahoma • Recruiting programs targeting out-of-state students, which offset fluctuating enrollment rates because out-of-state students pay more

said. “In some cases, technology has been the answer to trim costs, and in other cases, departments and offices have made strategic decisions to decrease costs in other ways.”

Tuition is a by-product of changes in state appropriations and other costs such as

Fitch kept the university’s negative outlook because of: • Diminished financial flexibility • Consistent negative operating margin • Reduction in state aid • Financial stress from retirement benefits • High debt burden Source: Fitch Ratings

said.

Tuition increased 5 percent for the 2011-2012 academic year after state funds decreased by a net 4.8 percent.

If the same situation were to arise and tuition was increased, OU offers many students the opportunity to subsidize costs, Kuwitzky said.

“We certainly anticipate that scholarships will continue to increase,” he said.

OU also is increasing fund waivers to prevent a negative turn, Kuwitzky said.

“OU has committed to increase university-funded waivers by an amount sufficient to offset the impact of tuition and mandatory fee increase,” he said.

increases in health insurance and utility rates, said Chris Kuwitzky, OU’s associate vice president for Administration and Finance.

Tuition increases are necessary to keep academic and administrative units from Managing Editor Chase Cook cutting budgets, Kuwitzky contributed to this report.

questions: Prizes to be awarded to top scores Continued from page A1 can’t answer,” said Lauren Giddens, graduate assistant for the board.

The game is a series of five questions that include

anything from who will score first to predicting a score for either team.

Prizes are based on the number of questions you answered correctly after the game.

Away game prizes include

T-shirts, and home game prizes include a Blu-ray/ DVD combo pack.

The grand prize is a Bluray player gift pack that is given at the end of the semester.

The game will be played

Friday before every game, giving students the opportunity to either start the game then or increase their odds of winning, Giddens said.

The booth will be up at 11:30 a.m. in the first floor lobby of the union.

Friday, Sept. 2 Final day to change from audit to credit.

Last day for full refunds on dropped classes and complete withdrawals.

Financial aid enrollment confirmation deadline.

Last day of no recorded grade for dropped courses.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” will be shown at 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight for free in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Governor’s Room.

Women’s soccer will play Oral Roberts at 7 p.m. at the OU Soccer Complex.

Museum: Watchmen take pride in exhibits Continued from page A1

well as the public section, checking for mechanical isoudaily.coM sues such as fires and leaks.

Video: Join the security Trained in basic first aid a lot of people get to see guards on their night and firefighting, the guards them,” Camp said. “I’m shift at the Sam Noble doing nightly tours for eight are equipped to handle Oklahoma Museum of most emergencies. hours, so I try to kill time Natural History Luckily, the security offiand look at where the specicers said there has been no mens come from.”

During the evening, night major emergencies or propany other building that’s erty damage to date. guards enter every collecbeen in use for years, there’s “We’ve had false fire tion room in the research alarms,” Helmers said. “Like been mechanical issues. portion of the museum, as

There hasn’t been any fires, no break-ins and no major accidents.”

The guards take every precaution to ensure the museum and the irreplaceable artifacts it houses are safe, no matter what.

“You can’t put a price on the museum,” Helmers said. “When you include the dinosaur fossils and the artwork, it’s priceless.”

saturday, Sept. 3 “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” will be shown at 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight for free in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Governor’s Room.

First OU football game of the season. The Sooners will play the Tulsa Hurricanes at 7 p.m. in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

sunday, sept. 4 Women’s soccer will play Missouri State at 7 p.m. OU Soccer Complex.

monday, sept. 5 No classes today. Enjoy the three-day weekend.

tuesday, sept. 6 Automatic grade of W for any undergraduate and graduate dropped courses.

The Norman Magic Experience will kick off the inaugural Union Week, hosted by the Union Programming Board. Magician Norman Ng will put on a free magic show from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s food court.

Wednesday, sept. 7 The Delta Gamma Achnor Splash will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Murray Case Sells Swim Complex. Tickets are $5 in advance from any Delta Gamma member or $6 at the gate.

A general interest meeting for the Union Programming Board will take place from 9 to 10 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Scholars Room.

Corrections The Oklahoma Daily has a commitment to serve readers with accurate coverage and analysis.

Readers should bring errors to The Daily’s attention by emailing dailynews@ou.edu.

college night!

TUESDAYS 4PM TO 10PM

$6 college rolls & $2 edamame $1.50 Bud/Bud Light

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News

Thursday, September 1, 2011 •

A3

research

Scientists grow fungi for treatments Group discovers new compounds on Cheerios Kathleen Evans Campus Reporter

The search for promising new drugs begins in an OU lab nicknamed “the zoo.”

In the Stephenson Life Sciences Center, one hundred or so flasks sit on a lab desk in even rows containing fuzzy organisms, fungi, growing on Cheerios.

“A s i t t u r n s o u t , w e have found out fungi love Cheerios and grow very well with them,” said Robert Cichewicz, director of the Natural Products Discovery Group. “That’s our little secret.”

Each of these fungi produces about 20 unique compounds, some of which have never been discovered before, Cichewicz said.

The research group, which was founded in 2005 by Cichewicz, works with these compounds in the hopes of discovering a possible pharmaceutical drug.

These fungi samples can come from anywhere, including soil samples that anyone is free to submit to the group, Cichewicz said.

Some come from insects he personally collected in a homemade insect trap.

After growing the samples, Cichewicz and his lab mates then test the fungi in different areas to see if they are effective as an anti-microbial, whichkills harmful bacteria or fungi.

“These are areas of need,”

DERRICK ADAMS/THE DAILY

Professor Robert H. Cichewicz (left) assists Michael Behlen, chemistry junior, in the lab. Cichewicz has been working with students to potentially develop pharmaceuticals to replace penicillin.

he said. “As far as anti-microbials are concerned, humans are losing the war. We got a good leg up on them when penicillin came out.

“Since that time, microbes have been coming back and developing resistance.

The pharmaceutical industry hasn’t kept up with that race.”

The lab also focuses to see if the compounds have any effect on cells with

Huntington’s disease, a disorder in which nerve cells break down over time, Cichewicz said.

“It’s considered an orphan disease,” he said. “It is not a moneymaking disease. It affects a relatively slim population, slim being some 30some thousand people in the U.S. alone.”

If a fungus does show signs of killing bacteria or disease cells, the lab then tests the

DNA to see if this is a new organism, Cichewicz said.

If it is new, the lab works on growing more samples and finding the specific compound responsible and its structure.

“I approach every project with the feeling, enthusiasm, interest that, you know what, this is the next thing that is going to save your grandma or your grandpa or your aunt or you,” he said. “That’s

the way I like to look at these projects and I encourage my students to do the same.”

One of his biochemistry graduate students, Christine Theodore, works mostly with the fungi to look for anti-cancer compounds, working on multiple projects at a time.

The thing she said she likes most about this type of work is that you are not making the compounds but

actually finding them.

“I wanted to be involved in drug discovery, but I am not a very good organic chemist,” Theodore said. “You are not going to find me deriving new stuff, but I can isolate it and figure out what it is pretty well. This is a way for me to do that and use my strengths.”

The work may seem tedious, but all drugs have to start somewhere, post-doctoral student Lin Du said.

The lab also is starting to look at bacteria that live on humans and other mammals, Cichewicz said.

The group’s first publication was about bacteria that live in the human mouth and prevent a disease called oral thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth.

“These microbes are very intimately related with the human condition. We coexist with them and I find it hard to believe that these organisms have no ability to affect our health or well-being.

There must be some impact they are having.”

The opportunities to research with natural products are endless because of the wide range of products out there that have not been discovered or ever dreamed of, Cichewicz said.

“You keep doing it, eventually it will happen,” he said. “If you give up and walk away, we assume there are always going to be risks and losses. It’s a huge gamble.

It’s an odds game, but if you don’t play, you never win. We continue to play this game.

Eventually we will win.”

HEAT: Facilities Management workers battle hot weather conditions Continued from page A1 have not been ideal, employees did receive a 2 percent pay increase, and in Augustthe department raised minimum wage to $10 per hour.

Similar wage increases also apply to employeesin the custodial and housekeeping services.

One of the first things that many worry about during the summer season is sufficient air conditioning.

There are currently 540 employees in the department. Its air conditioning shop has 14 employees.

In terms of workload, Ellis said there haven’t been major complaints so far.

“I think most people have understood that the heat wave this year was extraordinary and that our folks are out there working as hard as we can to resolve cooling issues as quickly as possible,” Ellis said.

AT A GLANCE High priority work orders increase FY ’10: 483 of 640 work orders were classified as high priority and up — approximately 75 percent FY ’11: 517 of 589 work orders were classified as high priority and up — approximately 80-85 percent

And some students agree with Ellis’ assessment.

“I think they are doing a good job with air conditioning,” architecture engineering senior Liz Attewell said. “My last class is so cold that I have to bring a sweatshirt.”

Ellis said their goal is to keep building temperatures between 70 and 74 degrees and that most of the time they are successful.

“I think most people have understood that the heat wave this year was extraordinary and that our folks are out there working as hard as we can to resolve cooling issues as quickly as possible.”

BRIAN ELLIS, Facilities Management director

African-American studies junior Joy Watson said that some classrooms are warm, but said she thinks facilities management has been doing a fine job keeping campus cool.

This has been the hottest summer on record since 1980 in Oklahoma, and during July, Oklahoma reached the warmest average temperature ever recorded, Ellis said.

High temperatures don’t only raise concerns with air conditioning but also problems with energy consumption.

Chilled water production has increased this year by approximately 2 million tonhours as a result of the higher temperatures, Ellis said.

The department encourages students and faculties DERRICK ADAMS/THE DAILY to be cautious with energy Greg Stag (right) checks an air conditioning unit with another worker usage. on the roof of the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

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A4

• Thursday, September 1, 2011

Comment of the day on OUDaily.com ››

OPINION

“Seems that people often preach that ‘others’ need to conserve and ‘consume less’ without explaining exactly how this is to be accomplished.” (Commonsense, re: Students encouraged to live simpler lives at Devon Energy Hall lecture)

EDITORIAL

Boren makes right decision Our View: Boren’s suggested changes to the sexual- will actually reduce the number of sexual assaults assault policy will help create a safer environment — just as we’re unsure that the similar alcohol for all students. training has reduced alcohol-related incidents — but it will serve as a way to get the right informaPresident David Boren has again shown his dedi- tion to students early in their time on campus. It cation to improving our campus sexual-assault pol- also sends a strong message that this is a significant icy by releasing the list of suggested changes that he problem, on college campuses and elsewhere, and will present to the OU Board of Regents on that all forms of assault and harassment Sept. 19. will not be tolerated at OU. The Our View Boren’s suggestions include a mandaWe commend Boren for his dedication to is the majority tory online freshman training program, a this important issue, as well as his willingopinion of new staff position dedicated to handling ness to listen to the concerns and opinions The Daily’s sexual-assault cases and increased training of students. His support will go a long way 10-member for faculty and staff, according to Tuesday’s editorial board toward making OU a safer campus and crepress release. ating an environment that is supportive of He accepted every recommendavictims. But there is still more to be done, tion of the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory and that’s where we all come in.

Committee, all of which were unanimously supThis is not just an issue for the administration. It ported, said Kathy Moxley, director of the Women’s is the responsibility of every community member Outreach Center and chairwoman of the advisory to create an environment that is sensitive and uncommittee. derstanding to these issues, supportive of victims These suggestions would be highly effective addi- and free from the conventions that lead to victimtions to our policy, and we’re sure that the regents blaming and under-reporting. will pass them with little deliberation. Education is Moxley said the advisory committee is pleased the first line of defense in issues like these, and spe- with Boren’s proposal and hopeful that the changes cialized training for staff, faculty and law enforcewill make a tangible positive impact on campus. ment will greatly increase their ability to properly We share that hope. deal with these incidents when they happen.

Comment on this at OUDaily.com We’re not sure if mandatory freshman training

COLUMN

Warning halts illegal downloads

A

s soon as I saw the OPINION COLUMNIST email titled “Illegal Downloading Notice” from the surprisingly sinister Do Not Reply at OU.edu, my first thought was, “Oh god, they know.”

Universitywide, my cold sweat and sinking stomach Jacob Oller were shared by the hordes jacoboller@ou.edu of other students who may have used semi-legal (read: illegal) means to download some digital entertainment in the past.

Even though I haven’t downloaded any content since coming to OU, as soon as I saw that it was a generic public announcement and not an e-warrant that would result in my deportation to The Gulag, I felt like I had gotten away with the perfect “Ocean’s 11” casino heist. As so eloquently said by the Geto Boys, “Damn, it feels good to be a gangster.”

This isn’t to say that I disagree with either the university’s crackdown on illegal downloading or the copyright law itself.

It’s just the sheer plethora of piracy and torrenting methods available to anyone with a 9-year-old’s technological acuity is mind-boggling and difficult to resist.

Getting a reminder once in a while that there are in fact consequences for illegal downloading grounds me in reality.

Even if the amount of piratable content outweighs cat videos on YouTube, restraint is a good thing.

I’m actually glad that this email was sent to strike fear into my heart. “Shrek Forever After”? Ke$ha’s discography?

Come on. Do I really want to compromise my future for that nonsense? If I was stealing outrageously priced textbooks in PDF form, maybe my conscience would be a little clearer.

Even if I took an environmental angle toward downloading new movies in order to reduce my carbon footprint (no gas spent on driving to and from the theater, you know?), I’d have a decent excuse.

Unfortunately, because neither is the case, this warning’s only service was to make me a better person in the long run by guaranteeing my newly legal lifestyle. Touché.

Jacob Oller is a management information systems sophomore.

COLUMN

NATO only focusing on some nations

I

t seems dictator Moammar Gadhafi’s days are numbered. The rebels rule Libya’s main cities except Sirte, Tripoli is almost under control and they have appeared on TV at Gadhafi’s house drinking his wine (which can be considered an important symbolic victory).

It is unlikely that Gadhafi’s loyalists will be able to turn the tides of the war. He will be the third dictator to fall after Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, but there is a big difference: the first two fled, whereas Gadhafi brought his own country to civil war.

As allowed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 1973, the military intervention was going to essentially impose a no-fly zone over Libya in order to protect civilians from air raids. However, it turns out that NATO´s military forces have exceeded its commitment and ended up participating directly in the war.

The international community wants Gadhafi’s regime to fall, and they have seized the opportunity to get rid of the eccentric dictator. Even though they have gone beyond the bounds of international law, no one has denounced NATO´s actions.

It is easy to point at Gadhafi in his flamboyant fashion as the bad guy on TV. No, he’s not a good person, but he isn’t the only dictator that has been attacking his own civilians.

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has done the same without any reaction from the international community or the media. An uprising is going on in Syria, and they’ve been repressed by the army — so far about 2,200 civilians have been killed, according to the United Nations’ last count, and a video from Syrian protestors claims that number has risen to 3,000 civilians.

How many deaths are necessary before someone intervenes in a country. The fact is that the

people don’t matter, but OPINION COLUMNIST the role the country plays internationally.

Syria is a very sensitive piece of the always complicated Middle East puzzle.

It provides financial and economic support to the Islamic and military orgaAdrian Espallargas nization Hezbollah. espallargas.adrian@gmail.com Based in Lebanon, Hezbollah is widely regarded as a resistance movement in both the Arab and Muslim world and they make up a very real army.

International intervention in Syria would likely trigger a widespread war in the Middle East and NATO doesn’t want that. They prefer to overlook that issue by labeling Gadhafi the dictator who has to be removed.

The intervention in Libya raises the topic of oil. Libya produces 2 percent of the barrels consumed daily throughout the world. Furthermore, it is one of the main oil sources for Europe. The rebels’ leader, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, has asserted that the new government will favor those countries that have supported them.

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini has already claimed that Italian oil company Eni S.p.A. will become No. 1 in Libya. On the other hand, Russia didn’t support the war, therefore its companies will lose out on future business opportunities.

It is clear that the Libyan cake has been divided before the war has even ended. It is difficult not to wonder whether NATO´s member countries’ actions were motivated by human rights or thirst for oil and world influence. Unfortunately, I think it’s the latter.

Adrian Espallargas is a journalism junior.

?

» Poll question of the day Do you illegally download music and/or movies online?

To cast your vote, visit COLUMN

Instincts not enough for protection

I

OPINION COLUMNIST n the few minutes it will take you to read this column, at least two people in the U.S. will be sexually assaulted.

The OU community was forcibly reminded of the prevalence of sexual assault and rape over Elizabeth Rucker the weekend. On Friday wordful@ou.edu evening, on-campus residents received an email detailing the report of an alleged sexual assault made to OUPD on Thursday. On Tuesday, The Daily published a brief on the incident.

The facts in brief: A female student visited another student in his room, and he initiated unwanted sexual contact. The victim was able to leave her attacker’s room and later reported the incident to OUPD. Like two-thirds of sexual assault targets, this woman knew her assailant. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) notes that 60 percent of assaults go unreported — in that respect, this case is in the minority.

The Daily’s article reveals that our community discourse around sexual assault is still rife with victim blaming.

In the Daily story, OUPD Lt. Bruce Chan advises students to “trust [their] instincts” to protect themselves from sexual assault. Sadly, instincts are not enough to prevent the 213,000 sexual assaults committed annually. Such advice puts the burden on targets to prevent their own victimization: If your instincts fail you, you are to blame.

Because sexual assault and rape are framed as primarily women’s issues, friends, family, university officials, media and the police bombard us with risk-reduction techniques — like trusting our instincts, rather than addressing the perpetrators.

Rapists rape and assault for a variety of reasons — often they were victims themselves and perpetuate a cycle of abuse — and, according to research psychologists David Lisak and Paul M. Miller, nearly 75 percent of unconvicted rapists rape an average of six times. RAINN reports 15 out of every 16 rapists will never spend a day in jail.

Let’s review: Most sexual assaults and rapes are committed by serial violators who are acquainted with their victims and who go undetected by the police. Serial violators ingratiate themselves with their targets and deploy a variety of tactics to attempt and complete assaults. Most use drugs like alcohol.

Rapists intentionally subvert your instincts. They manufacture ambiguity to excuse their actions in a culture that believes “rape-rape” involves only white, female-assigned, chaste women being attacked in dark alleys. Lisak, Miller and many other scholars and activists have developed the concept of “rape culture” to describe the ways in which our society excuses rapists, silences survivors and shames victims.

Chan probably did not intend to perpetuate rape culture. The same is true of the Daily reporter who called sexual assaults “uncomfortable situations.” Perhaps the reporter was trying to expand Chan’s advice to apply to other types of situations or searching for a stylistic alternative to repeating sexual assault.

Yet sexual assault and rape are far more than uncomfortable situations — they are wilful, usually planned attacks on individuals’ autonomy and bodies. Such violations arise from a specific, deeply entrenched set of hegemonic beliefs and power structures that replicate themselves violently on the bodies and minds of people.

In short, rape culture is a virulent tool of oppression.

We should develop and trust our instincts, we should be aware and we should be empowered enough to fight against our oppressors and assailants. But we cannot cultivate that power unless our institutions and our society as a whole loudly proclaim the truth about rape and sexual assault about rapists, victims and survivors.

OU students have already begun this work. Last semester, Jordan Ward and a group of students threatened to occupy Evans Hall to force an extension of the then-30-day statute of limitations on sexual assault charges. They succeeded. That work must continue. In particular, the administration should be held to its promises of developing a sexual assault education program for freshmen.

There is one more sexual-assault survivor on our campus, and she is brave to come forward. Now, let us work to change the culture that allowed her attack to occur in the first place.

Elizabeth Rucker is an international studies and interdisciplinary perspectives on the environment senior.

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice.

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News

Thursday, September 1, 2011 •

A5

Heisman park

Bradford celebrated with new statue University installs sculpture to honor former OU quarterback Paighton Harkins Staff Reporter

OU unveiled former Sooner and NFL quarterback Sam Bradford’s Heisman statue Wednesday afternoon in Heisman Park. The statue, located just east of Gaylord Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, is featured alongside OU football greats such as Steve Owens and Jason White.

The commotion around the statue installation began almost an hour before the Bradford replica was set to be revealed.

White trucks, a crane and scores of media and fans surrounded the area. The event commenced shortly after 2 p.m. and ended minutes afterward when a crane lowered the statue on to its base and then lifted it into its permanent,

vertical position.

Fans flocked to the statue for hours to take pictures and read the description around the base, beginning with the arrival of the work trucks to hours after the statue was mounted.

The afternoon was full of Sooner fanfare, but some students said something about the statue was slightly off.

“It looks like a football player, but it doesn’t really look like [Bradford],” University College freshman Tony Ragle said.

Entrepreneurship junior Madison Jackson agreed with Ragle that it didn’t look much like the quarterback it was supposed to portray, but it was still neat.

The installation of the statue in Heisman Park was done in the absence of its namesake because of Bradford’s prior NFL commitments to the St. Louis Rams. A formal ceremony to honor the occasion will held at a later date.

›››› Sooner Sampler: Do you think Sam Bradford’s statue looks like him?

“I’m impressed how somebody can sculpt a human being and make it look so accurate.”

Greg Offenburger, University College freshman

“It kind of looks like him. I’d say it’s No. 2 behind Jason White’s.”

Kamron McClure, University College freshman

“I say it does, it’s got his nice lil’ haircut. But I know everyone was hoping he would be upsidedown.”

Andrew Huechteman, accounting senior

“Not in the face.

Maybe a little bit. I wish it was more of a flip, though.”

Michael Colwell, human relations junior

“A little bit, you can tell it’s him.

It’s really cool.”

Rachel Kammen, sociology sophomore

“It resembles him. It looks good, and it fits well with the others.”

Connor Lambring, aviation sophomore

A6

• Thursday, September 1, 2011

Advertisement

2 days until football season — Oklahoma vs. Tulsa, 7 p.m. Saturday

SPORTS

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T h u r s d a y, S e p t e m b e r 1, 2 011

soccer

Athletics

Aggies bolt from Big 12 Texas A&M tells conference of its plans to leave The Associated Press

everyone was like, ‘Boomer Sooner!’” she said. “I had never heard that before.

It was awesome to see the whole spirit of the school.”

Middle sister Tiana Dickson made a similar impact on the OU soccer program. The two-time Academic All-Big 12 firstteam member graduated

HOUSTON — The official Texas A&M fight song includes a line that bids farewell to Texas, “so long to the orange and white.”

By this time next year, Texas A&M may have said goodbye to a lot more than its storied, century-old rivalry with Texas.

Texas A&M announced Wednesday that it will leave the Big 12 Conference

by July 2012 if it can find another home, preferably in the Southeastern Conference.

The decision could set off another round of conference realignment in college sports and it raises questions about the future of the Big 12, which is starting the football season with 10 teams after losing Nebraska and Colorado. The Big 12 said it would move quickly to

see SISTERS page B2

see A&M page B2

Marcin Rutkowski/The Daily

Sophomore midfielder Zoe Dickson battles for the ball against an SMU player during Sunday’s game against the Mustangs. Dickson’s two sisters also were OU student-athletes.

Dickson carries on family tradition Sooners welcome third sister as student-athlete Tobi Neidy

Sports Reporter

Sophomore Zoe Dickson really didn’t have a choice when it came to choosing her path to higher education.

As a four-year starter at El Modena High School in

California, Dickson knew she wanted to continue to play soccer in college, but it was her two older sisters, Norrelle and Tiana, who helped get the midfielder to commit to Oklahoma.

“I came out here to visit them when I was in high school and immediately fell in love with the entire school a n d t h e e nv i ro n m e n t ,“ Zoe said. “I literally had no

option but to come to OU.” Norrelle Dickson, an AllAmerican under softball coach Patty Gasso, was the first Dickson to make it to Norman in 2004, finishing her career with a .402 batting average after starting all 257 games she played in.

As a senior in 2007, she was named a semifinalist for USA Softball Player of the Year and finished a

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first-team All-American and second-team Academic AllAmerican. She left OU as the career leader in hits (328), runs scored (75) and batting average.

Zoe remembers the time she visited Norman for Norrelle’s senior night and being surprised at the camaraderie of the crowd.

“I was amazed at how the environment was and how

B2

Sports

• Thursday, September 1, 2011

A&M: Big 12 to look at options, Beebe says Continued from page B1 find at least one replacement for the Aggies but offered no timeline.

“The presidents and chancellors of the nine remaining member institutions are steadfast in their commitment to the Big 12,” Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe said in a statement. “As previously stated, the conference will move forward aggressively exploring its membership options.”

The Southeastern Conference said it hadn’t received an application from Texas A&M to join the league and that it would have no further comment.

The SEC has reaffirmed its 12-school membership, but remains open to expansion talks.

Leaving the Big 12 “is in the best interest of Texas A&M,” said university President R. Bowen Loftin, who formally notified the league with a letter after earlier securing details on the withdrawal process.

He said he hopes the move can be amicable and presumably hopes to negotiate a reasonable exit fee.

“We are seeking to generate greater visibility nationwide for Texas A&M and our championship-caliber student-athletes, as well as secure the necessary and stable financial resources to support our athletic and academic programs,” Loftin said. “This is a 100-year decision that we have addressed carefully and methodically.”

Texas A&M, which has been in the Big 12 since its founding in 1996, said it will submit an application to join another, unspecified conference. If accepted, Texas A&M will leave the Big 12, effective June 30, 2012.

Texas said it remains committed to the Big 12 even with its historic rivalry with Texas A&M in jeopardy. But Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds didn’t address the game or even A&M by name.

“As we stated last summer, we are strong supporters and members of the Big 12 conference,” Dodds said.

“Recent events have not altered our confidence in the league. A Big 12 committee is in place to look at all options, shaping the future of the conference so it will continue to be one of the top leagues in the country.”

Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne addressed his school’s decision to leave in a blog posted Wednesday.

“There have also been other developments during the past several months that have caused a great deal of uncertainty within the Big 12,” Byrne said in the blog.

“You all know the landscape of the Big 12 Conference was altered by the creation of the Longhorn Network.”

He mentions the network’s attempts to televise high school games and the “attempt to coerce Big 12 schools to move their football games in Austin” to the network.

Texas and Texas A&M first met in football in 1894 and the annual Thanksgiving game is a highlight of the season for many fans.

Loftin said that a “primary criterion” when negotiating with another conference would be the ability to continue the rivalry, but there’s no guarantee the new conference or the Longhorns would agree to such a deal.

Sports Briefs Men’s Basketball

Lon Kruger’s nephew transfers to Oklahoma Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger’s nephew is transferring to join the Sooners as a walk-on.

Oklahoma announced Wednesday on Twitter that Jarrod Kruger would join his uncle in Norman after spending part of last season as a walk-on at Kansas State.

The 5-foot-11 guard didn’t play for the Wildcats and then transferred to

time, said athletic department spokesKansas for the spring semester.

He won’t be allowed to play in games man Kenny Mossman.

The streak began with coach Bob for Oklahoma this season because of Stoops’ first game at Oklahoma, when NCAA transfer rules.

OU beat Indiana State 49-0 on Sept. 11, The Associated Press 1999.

OU football has won 72 of 74 home games during that period, including Football their last 36.

Seventy-three of 75 games during Sooners expect 75th the streak were against Football Bowl Subdivision teams. consecutive sellout This Saturday, OU football anJeremy Choat, Staff Reporter ticipates selling out the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for the 75th straight

Sisters: Dicksons anticipate nine-year legacy Continued from page B1 last season with 80 consecutive starts, the most in the program’s history.

As a freshman last year, Zoe played alongside Tiana, something Zoe said helped her become the player she is today. “[Tiana] was super hard on me, harder than anyone else,” Zoe said. “She wanted me to do really well because I was representing her and my family. She was a leader for me as well as for everyone on the team.”

Although Zoe and Tiana only spent a year together on the same team, the two shared many memories playing for the same program.

“During the Big 12 (tournament) last year, we got to share a room together for the entire week and it was great,” Zoe said. “She’s my best friend and it was a whole week of us just being together.”

Zoe also has made her own impact on Sooner soccer in just her second season, quickly becoming a starter during last season’s game against Stephen F. Austin.

With two career goals, including a game-winner this season against AlabamaBirmingham, Zoe continues to a be a threat on the attack

Marcin Rutkowski/The Daily

Sophomore midfielder Zoe Dickson dribbles the ball against SMU in Sunday’s game. Dickson got to play with her older sister, Tiana, last season at Oklahoma and said the experience was very rewarding.

for OU. And OU soccer coach Nicole Nelson knows what kind of player she has in the newest Dickson.

“Zoe has the ability to affect the game at just about any position,” Nelson said.

“Her understanding of the game, along with her technical attributes, allow her to

be a very special attacking player.”

The stepladder of sisters should keep at least one Dickson sibling in an OU athletic program for a total of nine years.

And with a total of three seasons remaining for Zoe, including the 2011 season,

she hopes to continue the legacy her siblings built for her.

“They told me everything, like not to be late and told me what teachers to have,” Zoe said. “But really they just want me to represent the Dicksons with pride and play hard.”

sept. 1-sept. 4 thursday, sept. 1

friday, sept. 2

be a part of your campus! | Looking to get involved on campus? Visit the Student Life Office on the third floor of the Oklahoma Memorial Union to find out how you can get involved with upcoming Union Programming Board and Campus Activities Council events as well as other student organizations!

the union programming board’ guess the score | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union first floor lobby. Think you know Sooner Football? Prove it with the Union Programming Board’s “Guess the Score,” game where you test your knowledge about OU football for great prizes. Stop by the UPB booth on the Friday before every game to increase your chances of winning the grand prize - a Blu Ray Player Gift Pack!.

university theatre season tickets | on sale now through the OU Fine Arts Box Office, (405) 325-4101. Purchase the Über Pack for $75 and get tickets to al nine shows, $40 for the variety pack that includes one ticket to a drama, dance, opera and musical theatre performances. Call the box office or visit www.ou.edu/finearts for more information. im update: volleyball & pre season flag football registration | Registration today and tomorrow at the Huston Huffman Center front desk, $30 per team for Volleyball and $25 per team for football, registration is free if all team members live in OU housing. Volleyball starts Sept. 9 and football starts Sept. 12. For more information visit http://www. ou.edu/far or call Jonathan Dewhirst, (405) 325-3053. student success series: finding a student job | 2 p.m. in Wagner Hall, room 245. Presented by University College. aquathlon | 4-7 p.m. at Murray Case Sells Swim Complex. Swim of 200 yards followed by a run of 1.8 miles. Entry fee of $1 with late registration accepted during event. For more information visit http://www.ou.edu/far or call Jonathan Dewhirst, (405) 325-3053. union sound lounge featuring aranda | 8 p.m. on the East Lawn of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. The Sound Lounge is the Union Programming Board’s laid back music series featuring great student and local talent and completely free for OU students. This month features Aranda. There’s ALWAYS SOMETHING at the union, www.ou.edu/upb. Part of the Union programming Board and Campus Activities Council Concert Series.

women’s soccer: ou vs. oru | 7 p.m. at John Crain Field. Admission is FREE with a valid OU student ID. The first 1,000 fans get a FREE crimson and white lei! Visit soonersports.com for more information. free movie: “pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides” | 6:30, 9 p.m. and midnight in the Regents Room, Oklahoma Memorial Union (third floor). Come and see this summer blockbuster before it’s available on DVD, courtesy of the Union Programming Board and Campus Activities Council. back-2-school bingo | 8 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Food Court.

College is expensive so let us help you win some of those back-to-school essentials for the classroom, dorm and apartment! Presented by the Union Programming Board, www.ou.edu/upb. There’s ALWAYS SOMETHING at the union!

saturday, sept. 3 sooner football: ou vs. tulsa | 7 p.m. at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Visit soonersports.com for ticket information.

sunday, sept. 4 women’s soccer: ou vs. oru | 7 p.m. at John Crain Field. Admission is FREE with a valid OU student ID. The first 1,000 fans get a FREE crimson and white lei! Visit soonersports.com for more information.

This University in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please contact the sponsoring department of any program or event.

Sports

Thursday, September 1, 2011 •

College football’s return

B3

First Football Game Murray State at Louisville 5 tonight on ESPNU Heisman Race While the field is wide open, there are five players who find themselves in the frontrunner position. Depending on how the season plays out, Heisman ballots may wind up looking like this.

Jordan Jenson, Sports Reporter

1. QB Landry Jones (JR., OU)

2010 Season Stats: 405/617 Comp, 4,718 Yards, 38 TD 12 INT

David J. Phillip/The Associated Press

Texas A&M players and fans celebrate after a game last season. The Daily’s RJ Young believes the Aggies, who just officially announced they plan to leave the Big 12 Conference, are overrated despite being one of the most talked about teams this offseason.

2. RB LaMichael James (Jr., Oregon)

Overrated/Underrated Overrated

expectation of winning the Big Ten conference title during Nebraska’s inaugural season in the conference may prove too much for dual threat, sophomore quarterback Taylor Martinez.

No. 8 Texas A&M

This summer’s rousting about the heads of A&M will likely prove too much for the team, and I think that will show up on the field. I don’t believe the Aggies have enough offensive firepower to combat OU for the Big No. 18 Ohio State This team is still reeling 12 South division, let alone from losing the most talhold on to a top 10 ranking ented quarterback to wear a Buckeye jersey since Les No. 10 Nebraska Horvath. Not to mention Ndamukong Suh is no five other players will not longer playing defensive play, and former coach line at Nebraska — and Jim Tressel won’t be on the hasn’t for over a year now sidelines at all anymore.

— and shutdown corner Prince Amukamara has left RJ Young, Sports Reporter for the NFL. The weighty

With OU starting the season No. 1, Jones will have great exposure heading into the opening week. With an early high-profile matchup against Florida State, Jones will have a chance for the entire nation to watch him lead the Sooners. If he is able to guide the Sooners through a difficult schedule — finishing with Oklahoma State on Dec. 3 — and put up numbers similar to last year, he has a great chance to wind up as the sixth Heisman Trophy winner from OU. 2010 Season Stats: 294 Att, 1731 Yards, 21 TD

Underrated

most dominant college wide receiver in the game today, No. 5 Boise State and quarterback Brandon With their highest preWeeden is capable of hitting season ranking in its histohim in stride with a two dery, the Broncos have a legitfenders in his face. imate shot to win the BCS national championship.

This is the scariest team on No. 12 South Carolina The Gamecocks are my any college football team’s schedule because they are pick to win the SEC this year one of a handful of teams — yeah, I said it — and as capable of beating any team such they deserve a top 10 ranking at the least. on said team’s best day.

All coach Steve Spurrier has to do: Give sophomore No. 9 Oklahoma State stud Marcus Lattimore the This team averaged 44 rock, and let him carry South points and 520 yards of total Carolina to the national offense per game last seachampionship game. son, and this season they could be better than that.

RJ Young, Sports Reporter Justin Blackmon is the

Dramatic storylines There was more offseason and preseason drama in college football this year than an episode of “The Jersey Shore.”

Several teams are significantly different now than what they were expected to look like back in the spring.

College football also might be on the cusp of major conference realignment — not the wimpy stuff of Colorado and Nebraska leaving.

Below is a quick break- The cast of MTV’s “The Jersey Shore” pose in a pool. down of the biggest dramamakers from the last few abortion. back Daniel Herron — after months.

Eight Miami football playthey received illegal benefits RJ Young, Sports Columnist ers have been suspended and sold awards they earned due to the article’s findings for their play on the field.

The disemboweling of — including starting quarFormer Ohio State coach terback Jacory Harris — and Jim Tressel was asked to sit Miami (Fla.) football Yahoo! Sports published the NCAA is weighing the out the first two games of the an investigative piece last punishable action neces- 2011 season due to his playAugust effectively crushing sary for the school’s athletic ers’ unbecoming conduct. the image and reputation program.

He self-imposed three more of the Miami Hurricanes’ games and was later fired. football program for the Mischievous Buckeyes The players have been orpast eight years. Among the Last March, the NCAA up- dered to repay the cash benmany transgressions uncov- held Ohio State athletic di- efits they took, ranging from ered were players being paid rector Gene Smith’s suspen- $1,000 to $2,500. Pryor has bounties to injure other play- sion of six Buckeye football left Ohio State and was drafters, illicit parties — which in- players — including former ed in the third round of the cluded strippers, sex, drugs starting quarterback Terrelle NFL’s supplemental draft by and alcohol — and one Pryor and starting running the Oakland Raiders.

A&M’s departure

On Wednesday, Texas A&M officially informed Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe the school would leave the conference in 2012 and seek opportunities elsewhere (read: the SEC).

Texas A&M’s departure has been helped by the formation of the Longhorn Network — a television station devoted entirely to Texas Longhorn sports.

LSU loses its leader

LSU coach Les Miles announced late last August that starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Josh Johns were suspended indefinitely for their role in a bar fight outside Baton Rouge, La. Jefferson purportedly kicked a man in the face, causing facial fractures.

LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee will start just the 10th game of his career Saturday against No. 3 Oregon. Miles also will be without starting wide receiver Russell Shepard for an NCAA violation.

LaMichael James and Oregon’s high-octane offense are a match made in heaven. He is a smaller back, listed at 5-foot-9-inches, but takes advantage of coach Chip Kelly’s offensive system. Because he finished third in Heisman voting last season, the nation is already familiar with James. With quarterback Darron Thomas returning to the helm, James should be able to put up numbers similar to last season. If he has a big game in the season opener against LSU and the Ducks remain in national-championship contention, expect for James’ name to be in the running for the Heisman all season long.

3. QB Andrew Luck (SR., Standford) 2010 Season Stats: 263/372, 3,338 Yards, 32 TD 8 INT

Heisman runner-up in the 2010 season, Andrew Luck was expected by many to declare for the NFL to potentially be the No. 1 pick. Instead, he surprised many by electing to stay for his senior season. With former coach Jim Harbaugh now with the San Francisco 49ers and the loss of two offensive linemen, there is concern Stanford may struggle this season. If they suffer too many losses, expect Luck to fall out of contention. However, Luck is viewed by many as the best player in college football, and if Heisman voters vote based on the award’s purpose of declaring that player, Luck may hoist the trophy.

4. RB Trent Richardson (JR., Alabama) 2010 Season Stats: 112 Att, 700 Yards, 6 TD

Despite splitting carries with Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson has become one of the most feared running backs in college football. With Ingram now playing for the New Orleans Saints, Richardson will be the feature back.

With a dominant defense, Alabama could find themselves playing for the national championship in January.

However, they have to replace Greg McElroy at quarterback. If they do wind up in New Orleans, it will most likely be due to Richardson’s success in the backfield, which could give Alabama their second Heisman winner in three seasons.

5. QB Kellen Moore (SR., Boise State) 2010 Season Stats: 273/383, 3,845 Yards, 35 TD 6 INT

Finishing fourth in Heisman voting last season, Kellen Moore has put up video-game-like numbers in his first three seasons with Boise State. Most of these numbers have been put up against lesser opponents, something that has surely hurt the national perception of Moore. In his last season to helm the Broncos, Moore has to deal with the loss of star receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis, which may limit his targets. If Moore is able to guide the Broncos past Georgia in the season opener and TCU in November, Boise may find themselves undefeated with a chance at a national championship appearance. If that happens, expect to see Moore make another trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony.

Visit oudaily.coM to read about the three players The Daily’s Jordan Jenson feels will just miss the cut, including Ryan Broyles.

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FAST LANES Great Pay & Benefit Opportunities. Now Hiring Detailers and Supervisors. Must be available to work weekends. Apply @ 1235 W Main St.

J Housing Rentals

Classified Display, Classified Card Ad or Game Sponsorship

APTS. FURNISHED

HELP WANTED

Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521.

2 col (3.25 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ..............$760/month Boggle ...............$760/month Horoscope ........$760/month

Gymnastics Instructors for pre-school girls and boys classes, tumbling and cheerleading, P/T, flex sched. Bart Conner Gymnastics, 447-7500.

COLLEGE SKI & BOARD WEEK

Photo by Michael Mazzeo

B4

SOONER BLOOMERS Now hiring for Fall Season! FT/PT - Call Debbie at 713-1200

2 col (3.25 in) x 2.25 inches

Effic. LOFTS FURNISHED downtown over Mister Robert Furn. 109 E Main. $450-$660 bills PAID. Inquire store office.

Crossword ........$515/month

POLICY The Oklahoma Daily is responsible for one day’s incorrect advertising.

If your ad appears incorrectly, or if you wish to cancel your ad call 3252521, before the deadline for cancellation in the next issue. Errors not the fault of the advertiser will be adjusted. Refunds will not be issued for late cancellations.

The Oklahoma Daily will not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religious preference, national origin or sexual orientation. Violations of this policy should be reported to The Oklahoma Daily Business Office at 325-2521.

Gjobmmz"!

Help Wanted ads in The Oklahoma Daily are not to separate as to gender. Advertisers may not discriminate in employment ads based on race, color, religion or gender unless such qualifying factors are essential to a given position.

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WE DON’T JUST PROVIDE FOOD FOR THE HOMELESS.

There are no limits to caring.ÂŽ

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1-800-899-0089

www.VolunteersofAmerica.org

WE PROVIDE JOB TRAINING SO THEY CAN BUY GROCERIES.

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HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2011, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 1, 2011 Excellent influences will be working on your behalf in the year ahead, trying to improve your material position in life. You must chip in and help things along, however. The more you do, the more your needs will be met.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- The funds that will enable you to get something that you’ve wanted for a long time but always felt was too expensive are apt to finally become available. With the extra cash in your pocket, you can go for it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Whether or not you realize it, your influence over your peer group is stronger than you think. Others will be easily swayed by the example you set, and they’ll want to emulate your behavior.

Previous Solution

Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -Keep a matter that is of a sensitive, secretive nature between yourself and closely involved parties. For best results in resolving the matter, you need to maintain its exclusivity.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- When a close friend tells you something in confidence, he or she might leave it to your discretion as to whether or not another pal should be let in on the secret. Choose wisely.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- A material desire could end up functioning as a powerful motivator for you. If you really want something badly enough, you will be capable of figuring out how to acquire it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- It’s more important for you to take a long-range view of things where your self-interests are concerned, instead of worrying about how to get what you want right now. Give yourself time.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20)

-- You’re very blessed, because someone who loves you is aware of your present wants, and will knock themselves out trying to figure out ways to acquire them for you.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Help with a critical yet perplexing decision is on its way. Listen carefully to the new alternatives being presented -- one of them holds the key to your dilemma.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Perform to the very best of your abilities without thinking about what’s in it for you. If you do a good job, the accolades will manifest.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker September 1, 2011

ACROSS 1 Box office earnings 5 Musician’s engagements 9 Not the least bit fresh 14 Financial page acronym 15 Diva’s showstopper 16 Take into one’s family 17 Handeddown knowledge 18 Drum specialty 19 In great shape, as muscles 20 Grant’s horse’s team?

23 Deuterium discoverer Harold 24 Easy as ___ 25 Babble 28 Custard dessert 30 Sawbones’ gp.

33 “Encore!�

34 One past twelve?

35 Penultimate word in a fairy tale 36 Lone ranger’s horse’s banner?

39 Shaving cream ingredient 40 Breakfast grains 41 Flight attendant’s beat

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

-- You’ve heard it a thousand times: relax and just be yourself when dealing with others, be they bigwigs or small fry. Whatever charisma you possess cannot be forced, so play it cool, Jack.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -As soon as you get everyone in accord regarding a family matter, put the wheels in motion and you’ll get good results. Sit on things and you’ll waste another toothsome opportunity.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Don’t base an important decision solely on its material aspects. It’ll be important to put credence in other factors, such as principles and ethics, as well.

9/1

42 Cariou or Berman 43 “For ___!� (“Absolutely!�)

44 Glove’s cousin 45 Snoopy, in his daydreams 46 Composer Schifrin 47 John Tyler’s horse’s reign?

55 Joe Flacco, for one 56 Political campaign ammunition 57 Tennessee’s flower 58 Subject of media coverage 59 Blade runner 60 Piles up birthdays 61 Superman’s folks 62 Welfare state?

63 Deliverer of much political humor DOWN 1 Bathroom sprinkle 2 “Mine,� in Marseilles 3 Distance letters 4 Corporate bigwig 5 “Maverick� star 6 Device of the wryly humorous 7 River to the Colorado

8 9 10 11 12 13 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Ice melter Drives home Revere Number of hits in a perfect game Made a mockery of?

Some used Fords Title role for Renee Zellweger Bucky Beaver’s toothpaste ___ decongestant Quick like a cat Branch grabber “Twelfth Night� clown “I’m game!�

Warning to landlubbers First name in cosmetics “As You Like It� forest

34 Old ruler 35 Opinion column 37 Where Joan of Arc perished 38 Carpenter’s need 43 Hounds’ leads 44 Sweet shoppe treat 45 Scully or Bond, e.g.

46 Generous, as portions 47 Long day’s journey 48 Fortunate fellow 49 Exactly divisible by two 50 Ancient garden spot 51 Go biking 52 Prompt 53 Banker’s protection 54 ExxonMobil brand

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

8/31

Š 2011 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

SADDLE UP! By Wilbur Pomett

Thursday, September 1, 2011 •

Life&arts

B5

Katherine Borgerding, life & arts editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-5189

column

Minority characters need voice U

pon entering the Life & Arts Columnist movie theater to view Hollywood’s latest period drama, “The Help,” my expectations were considerably high, given the gifted ensemble, the heartwrenching subject matter and the best-selling novel of Laron Chapman which it is based.

Laron.M.Chapman-1@ou.edu Once the credits rolled and the lights came up, my mind was racing at a rapid speed and my heart was heavy with emotion.

However, gazing at a full house of audience members migrating toward the exits, I was shocked to witness that I functioned as one of a mere dozen minorities present during the screening.

Now, why would a story about African-American domestic workers at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement not appeal to many in the black community? The answer is simple.

While “The Help” appears to depict the hardships thousands of African-American men and women endured during the ‘60s in Jackson, Mississippi, the film glosses over its racial themes, stripping away the authenticity of the environment in favor of appealing to a mainstream audience.

The film reduces unimaginable cruelties (i.e. rape, lynching, separation of families) to a single off screen beating, a few harsh words, and hurt feelings. As a result, the black female characters serve as supporting players in their own life stories. They are viewed as subordinate to the privileged white protagonists who must come to their rescue in times of adversity. This is, of course, because they were incapable of surviving by their own efforts.

In the film, the character Skeeter (“Easy A’s” Emma Stone) is an ambitious and aspiring writer who orchestrates a private, illegal writing project to publicize the concerns of the community’s domestic servants.

The troubling aspect of this action is that the maids’ voices are deemed irrelevant and insignificant until graced by the hands of the pure, white onlooker who rallies for their cause.

The same approach was exercised in 2009’s “The Blind Side,” the true story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), the once poor, homeless, and uneducated black teenager who became a famous NFL superstar after being adopted by a wealthy suburban white family.

Photo Provided

Emma Stone, as Skeeter, sits at her typewriter working on a secret project she started with unlikely partners in DreamWorks Pictures’ “The Help,” based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett.

The film was less focused on its core subject’s personal struggle from poverty to fame and more concerned with solidifying the white family’s selfless good deed, even landing Sandra Bullock an Academy Award for portraying Oher’s adoptive mother.

Hollywood would rather keep minorities in subservient or demeaning roles. Why else would it take the wellrespected Denzel Washington to play a sadistic, crooked, drug-dealing cop to win the Oscar after years of playing the disarming black man in more memorable roles?

For the same matter, why did it take Halle Berry to play a poverty-stricken widow who submits to the security of a

Entertainment Briefs Concert

OKC band plays union east lawn

Shell Fall Festival

GO AND DO UPB Sound Lounge WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday WHERE: Oklahoma Memorial Union east lawn

Who: All OU College of Engineering faculty, staff and students

PRICE: Free

NOW HIRING OU Student Media is a department within OU’s division of Student Affairs.

For accommodations on the basis of disability, please contact 405.325.2521.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

FALL POSITIONS yearbook writers, photographers, designers and multimedia journalists newspaper reporters, photographers and designers and copy editors

Get real-world experience on campus at Student Media.

Apply online by at

Laron Chapman is a film and video studies senior.

Follow The Daily on Twitter: @OUDailyArts

www.studentmedia.ou.edu

New Engineers Welcome

Oklahoma City band Aranda will play the first concert of Union P r o g r a m m i n g B o a r d ’s Sound Lounge series at 8 p.m.

Sound Lounge, formerly known as Jazz Lounge, has been revitalized this year with a broader range of musical styles to appeal to more students.

“We didn’t want to be just jazz,” said Tegan Burkhard, concert series organizer.

“We wanted to make [the program] more open and broad. There will still be jazz.”

Aranda will play two 45minutes sets, at 8 and 9 p.m.

Burkhard said Aranda won’t have any opening acts because they have such a large catalog of music, including both their own productions and cover songs.

“We were asking students

o n Fa c e b o o k w h o t h e y wanted to see and someone suggested Aranda,” Burkhard said.

“They’re an older group, but still really good. They’re really talented.”

Sound Lounge will continue throughout the semester with student-based groups playing many of the events.

Holly Walker, Staff Reporter

racist, white prison guard to become the first black woman to take home the award for Best Actress?

Surely, given it is 2011, there are more substantial roles for minorities to embody that do not generate the very stereotypes we have worked so hard to dismantle.

This is not to imply that films like “The Help” can’t be compelling or enjoyable, but rather suggesting that films of this nature have a tendency to reinforce the notion that minorities don’t have a voice of their own and are inferior to their white counterparts in contemporary America.

What: Come kick off the new semester with music, Free Hamburgers cooked by Engineers’ Club, a Giant Obstacle Course, Pedestal Jousting, Gravitron, and many activities from our sponsors Shell and Schlumberger! This is a great opportunity to learn about and get involved with all the student organizations showcased, and you could win an iPod Touch and other raffle prizes!

When: Friday, September 2nd Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Courtyard between Devon Energy Hall and the ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility For accommodations on the basis of disability, please contact Tiffany Smith at tdsmith@ou.edu or David Vreeland at dfvreeland@ou.edu

A special thanks to our other sponsors:

B6

LIFE & ARTS

• Thursday, September 1, 2011

technology

New application targets fitness IPhone app promotes healthy diets, active lifestyles for Sooner children Lauren Duff

Life & Arts Reporter

Photo Provided

OU Freshman, Faith Ashbridge, sets up shop in Dallas, Texas with her own line of handbags. Ashbridge began her own line of travel bags at sixteen and sells the line in many different shops in Norman.

Fashion

Sooner ‘flaunts’ fashion Alyssa Grimley Life & Arts Reporter

Not everyone creates a viable business idea at age 16. But that’s precisely what Faith Ashbridg did when she got the idea for Flaunt Fashion.

Ashbridge, whose parents started their own gift shop, started drafting the designs for her line of handbags while on an airplane returning from China.

“I knew exactly what I wanted to create and immediately started sketching travel bags on the back of the Vogue I was reading,” Ashbridge, University College freshman, said in an email.

“I began researching my designs, putting together specifications, working with suppliers around the world and doing everything I could to make the product launch a success.”

Balancing a budding fashion line and being a teenager hasn’t been easy, she said.

“While most teenagers are thinking about summer vacations and temporary summer jobs, I was traveling across the United States to present Flaunt to representatives and buyers from around the world,” Ashbridge said.

Despite the difficulties she has faced in creating her company, Ashbridge is resolved to follow her passion.

“In life, when you find

“I knew exactly what I wanted to create and imediately started sketching.”

Faith Ashbridge, University College Freshman

something you are passionate about, the rest seems to fall in place,” she said.

“It has been difficult trying to find time to hang out with friends or go to the movies, but it all works out somehow.”

Ashbridge is balancing work and school by taking fewer hours. She plans to pursue a degree in business, which will go hand in hand with her experience in the corporate world.

“I am studying business at

the University of Oklahoma so that I can better understand how the business aspect of my company works,” she said. “College will actually enhance my designs and I can see my academic work benefitting from my practical business knowledge.”

Her future, she assured, will most certainly involve Flaunt.

“I will, of course, continue to design all of the future product for Flaunt,” she said. “We have some designs launching in January that I am extremely excited about.”

For now, Ashbride said she is eager to see how her creation unfolds.

“I enjoy watching Flaunt grow and hope that it continues to grow into the company that I have envisioned.”

V

Freshman creates new line of purses

Children who are OU fans can now do jumping jacks with university mascots Boomer and Sooner.

Aimed to help children become motivated in school, maintain a healthy diet and be active, a new OU application was released for the iPhone on Aug. 29 .

The app, titled Sooner Jr., was originally created by Charlie Taylor, assistant athletics director for marketing, and Renata Hays, director of licensing.

The technicalities of this app were designed by nine designers and developers in the OU Information Technology department including seven interns.

According to SoonerSports.com, Premise Entertainment — a media production company from Orlando, Fla. — helped create the image of Boomer and Sooner as youthful, animated “This [app] characters for the app. gives us a “This [app] gives us a chance to reach out to kids and benefit them,” chance to reach Hays said. out to kids and The app is great way to interact with children who are OU fans liv- benefit them.” ing outside of Norman, she said.

Renata Hays, OU IT spokeswoman Becky director of Grant said the app’s primary focus licensing is on the acronym F.A.N.S. — fitness fun, academics, nutrition and sportsmanship. Once the $1.99 app is downloaded, children have the option of choosing either Boomer or Sooner as an avatar and opening up several features.

These features are geared toward educational games in relation to OU football, knowing what to eat and drink daily, how to keep up a good fitness routine and stories starring Boomer and Sooner as the main characters.

Within the nutrition feature, young users are able to check off if they drank water and had their daily intake of vegetables. The app even allows the iPhone to sense when children are doing fitness activities.

“Kids can actually work out with Boomer and Sooner,” Hays said.

“They can either hold the iPhone in their hand or pocket and do the number of jumping jacks that Boomer and Sooner tell them to do.”

App users can collect points by playing the games and use them to purchase digital apparel for their OU mascot, she said.

“We understand that kids have to face a lot of different challenges,” Hays said. “We are trying to encourage kids and parents to pay attention to what we focus on as an athletics department.”

The app currently is only available to iPhone users.

alk

A Mil for

Join us in front of the Bizzell statue Friday, Sept. 9 at Noon $10 includes t-shirt and fun with your friends for a great cause

Registration begins at 10:30