The Oklahoma Daily

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

Friday, October 15, 2010

www.OUDaily.com

Free — additional copies 25¢

Teach for America attracts graduates Organization places teachers in low-income schools to equalize education opportunities DHARA SHETH The Oklahoma Daily

OU graduate Craig Trujillo left campus in 2008 on a mission. His goal: to ensure that quality education isn’t a privilege for a few, but a basic right for all.

Trujillo got a chance to fulfill that goal from Teach for America, an organization that recruits qualified

individuals with a passion for teaching and places them in low-income community schools for two-year periods. Trujillo started teaching in Houston, and still teaches at the same high school today.

Joining Teach for America is an option for any U.S. citizen or permanent resident, but many college seniors find it an attractive option as a post-graduate plan.

“I understood that if I was selected to be a part of [Teach for America], I would become part of something that endured,” Trujillo

said. “I understood that teaching is not something you do with hesitation, but it is something you become.”

Teachers, or Teach for America corps members, commit to teaching for two years, although 60 percent of them choose to stay at their placement for at least a third year, said Jefferson Baum, Recruitment Director for Teach for America.

“Our teachers are fully employed by the school districts in which they teach, so they have full starting salaries and benefits that any

other teacher working at the school would receive,” Baum said.

Students of any major, not just education, may apply to work for Teach for America. But even those who might not have thought about teaching as a long-term career reconsider — nearly 2/3 of Teach for America alumni still work in education, and 91 percent of those teach in low-income communities, Baum said.

More info Want to learn more about Teach for America?

Attend a general information meeting 7 p.m. today in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Regents Room.

SEE TEACH PAGE 2

SAFETY | CITY PLANS TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION FOR CYCLISTS

Resident adviser apps due Monday Position brings benefits, chance to affect community, recruitment organizer says MEGAN DEATON The Oklahoma Daily

MICHELLE GRAY/THE DAILY

University College freshman Thomas Laverentz rides his bike after class Thursday at the intersection of Lindsey and Elm streets. Bike safety, specifically their interaction with cars, was a topic of the Norman City Council meeting this week.

More bike-friendly measures on horizon New routes, added protection, other projects in store for Norman bicyclists SABRINA PROSSER AND TREVOR SHOFNER The Oklahoma Daily

The Norman Bicycle Advisory Council hopes to combine federal funds for more bike lane striping with a local bike lane expansion project, which would include connecting south campus to the National Weather Center.

OU has a project in the works to make campus more bike-friendly, too.

The Norman campus is preparing an eightmonth project, according to Jonathan Vann, UOSA Student Congress vice-chairman and Bicycle Ad Hoc Committee member. He said the project would create a bicycling route from the research campus to Jenkins Avenue and State Highway 9.

The Council voted unanimously to adopt both the revisions to the Norman Bike Route and the new ordinance for bicycle safety Tuesday night at the Norman City Council

meeting. Also included in the bill was the recognition of the three-foot law.

“When a motor vehicle overtakes a cyclist going the same direction, it must use due care and pass them with three feet of clearance between them,” James Briggs, Norman Parks and Recreation and the council, said. “It doesn’t prevent the creation of more bike lanes, you can have both, because you’re not going to have a bike lane through every neighborhood street.”

Currently in the preliminary stages, the council says it is organizing sponsors and a possible Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Grant for the development of a new Urban Trail System in Norman.

The council plans to meet w ith the International Mountain Biking Service in October to discuss the specifics of such a project and to look at possible sites for the project.

“Ideally, I think at least 40 acres would be necessary for the project. So now it’s just a matter of looking at locations that have enough terrain to provide a worthwhile ride,” said Tobin Vigil, council member and owner of Buchanan

A LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW AT Visit the sports section to read a column about former agent Josh Luchs’ confessional about illegally paying college athletes

Bicycles.

Also in the works is re-application for Bicycle Friendly Community award designation, a distinction from the League of American Bicyclists that is useful for procuring grants and representing the conscious efforts of the city to promote cycling.

Norman’s most recent application was rejected, but returned with an honorable mention distinction.

The league provided a document with suggestions for improvement before re-application. It includes more arterial streets with shoulders or lanes available for cyclists, increased efforts in bicyclist and motorist education on road-sharing safety and more local events such as bike to work days and corporate commuter challenges.

Tulsa is currently the only city in Oklahoma that holds this distinction.

The Norman Bicycle Advisory Council plans to begin construction within the calendar year and have the whole project completed a year from now.

THE OKLAHOMA DAILY VOL. 96, NO. 41 © 2010 OU Publications Board www.facebook.com/OUDaily www.twitter.com/OUDaily

INDEX Campus .............. 2 Classifieds .......... 6 Life & Arts ........... 5 Opinion .............. 4 Sports ................ 7

Resident adviser applications are due soon, and while it has its responsibilities, students say there are perks to the job as well.

“RA responsibilities include developing a healthy community, helping students, policy enforcement and skilled utilization of campus resources,” said Kyle Butcher, RA recruitment organizer and Couch Center coordinator.

Lauren Giddens, marketing senior, said the job has benefits.

“I like being around all the people and being able to roll out of bed and walk to class,” Giddens said.

Resident advisers also receive a compensation package that includes a private room, a meal plan and a monthly stipend.

“The true benefit of the RA position is being able to give back to the OU community and make an impact on the lives of other students,” Butcher said.

Potential RAs must complete the semesterlong RA Training Course with a grade of B or better.

In addition, they must maintain an overall and semester GPA of 2.5 and attend orientation at the beginning of each semester.

“Like any student leadership position, you need to make sure you have enough time to devote to the requirements of the position,” Butcher said.

Emily Martinez, sociology senior, said time management is key to being an RA. “If I’m not organized, things fall apart quickly,” Martinez said. “A planner is your best friend.”

Butcher encourages any students who are interested in becoming an RA to talk to their RA or to a member of the Residence Life Staff. The deadline for RA applications is 5 p.m. Oct. 18.

Visit OUDaily.com to download the application.

TODAY’S WEATHER 81°| 56° Saturday: Sunny, high of 81 degrees Visit the Oklahoma Weather Lab at owl.ou.edu

2 • Friday, October 15, 2010

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

CAMPUS

Reneé Selanders, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

Human Rights discussion hosted by OU Law College

TEACH: Meeting Monday

Speaker first woman nominated by U.S. to bi-continental commission

Continued from page 1

KATHLEEN EVANS The Oklahoma Daily

Today around campus » African Christian Fellowships will host a meeting 7 to 10 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Frontier Room. » Campus Activities Council will host an alumni reunion 5 to 7 p.m. in the Union’s Scholars Room. » The OU Ring Ceremony will take place 4 to 7 p.m. in the Union’s Courtyard.

Saturday, Oct. 16 » Boomer Bash will take place 3 to 6 p.m. in the Union’s Governors, Regents and Associates rooms. » Union game-day events will take place 3 to 6 p.m. outside on the east side of the Union. » OU Improv rehearsal will take place 8 to 11 p.m. in the Union’s Sooner Room. » OU football plays Iowa State at 6 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Sunday, Oct. 17 » Students for Ecclesia will meet 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Union’s Weitzenhoffer and Heritage rooms. » Stockton Meet and Greet will take place 2 to 4 p.m. in the Union’s Beaird Lobby and Lounge. » National Society of Leadership and Success will meet 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Union’s Heritage Room.

Monday, Oct. 18 » Teach for America will take place 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Union’s Weitzenhoffer Room. » Ballroom dance classes will take place 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Union’s Molly Shi Boren Ballroom. » Medical School Admission Advice will be given 3 to 4 p.m. in the Union’s Heritage Room. » Miss OU 2010 Walking Rehearsal will take place 7 to 11 p.m. in the Union’s Meacham Auditorium.

Tuesday, Oct. 19 » Christians on Campus Bible Study will take place noon to 1 p.m.in the Union’s Sooner Room. » MBA Admission Advice will be given 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Union’s Governors Room. » Latin Dance Club will meet 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Union’s Sooner Room. » A seminar on knowing your body for breast health, Bare Essentials, will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Union. » Grad School vs. Finding a Job is an informational session set to take place 2 to 2:30 p.m. in the Union’s Governors Room. » Greg Grandin will lecture 3 to 5 p.m. in the Union’s Meacham Auditorium.

Wednesday, Oct. 20 » A Graduate and Professional School Fair will be held 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Union’s Ballroom. » Student Success Series will host a seminar titled Deciding on a Major or Career from 2 to 3 p.m. in room 245 of Wagner Hall and the Housing Learning Center in Adams Tower. » The Other Film Club will host a meeting 5 to 9 p.m. in the Union’s Meacham Auditorium.

» This day in OU history

Oct. 15, 1947 Survey polls student meat abstention A survey was taken asking students if they complied with President Harry Truman’s meatless Tuesday and poultryless Thursday proclamation.

The proclamamtion was in the effort of aiding the European economy.

Half of the students listed said that they complied with the proclomation, the other half said that they did not comply. *Source: The Oklahoma Daily archives

The OU College of Law hosted a member of an international human rights organization Thursday, who explained the human rights process.

Dinah Shelton is the first female nominated by the U.S. for a spot on the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights, which was founded in 1959 “to promote and protect human rights in the Americas.”

The commission is a sevenmember body composed of 35 American countries, called states.

Shelton’s specialty in the commission is the rights of indigenous groups, said Lindsay Robertson, director of OU’s American Indian Law and Policy Center.

“This commission is the first line of defense for human rights,” Robertson said. “She is the go-to person for indigenous persons in the western hemisphere if they feel human rights have been violated.”

When a state joins the commission, they are bound to the charter of the commission, which outlines human rights expectations, Shelton said.

“If we want states to live up to human rights, we have to set standards and tell what we are expecting,” she said. “We hold every member state to the list of rights they signed in the declaration.”

When states fail to live up to human rights expectations, the commission can go into the country and investigate, or individuals can file a personal petition to the body.

Each year, the group receives about 1,400 petitions from people claiming human rights violations.

The body can then hear a case and issue a recommendation to governments, Shelton said.

“The countries with a high number of violence get the most complaints,” she said.

“Number one in 2009 was, no surprise, Colombia. We actually had a new No. 2 this year, Mexico, because of the new level of violence. Drugs are the underlying problem in most countries I’ve had to deal with recently.”

Besides hearing the cases brought to them, the commission releases special reports on countries in extreme violations of human rights laws, most recently Venezuela, she said.

“In addition to the fulls c a l e s e p a rat e re p o r t s,

JALL COWASJI/ THE DAILY

Dinah Shelton, George Washington University law professor and nominee of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, addresses the rights of indigenous peoples Thursday at the Bell Courtroom at the OU College of Law.

we can include a country in chapter four – that’s where we put the blacklist,” Shelton said. “Those are the countries not cooperating with us, countries in a downward spiral toward serious repression. It’s usually only two or three countries a year. We see it as sanction, a means of putting pressure on government.”

The OU College of Law

has an increasing involvement in human rights since the founding of its International Human Rights Clinic. In this clinic, a group of OU law students w o rk s w i t h t h e U n i t e d Nations in studying the human rights conditions of a specific country and releasing a report. So far, the clinic has studied Guyana and Panama.

Jessica Johnson, a 2008 graduate of Gaylord College’s graduate program, has made a career out of her experience in Teach for America. She said she wanted to become part of a movement to fill the achievement gap that exists between students in upper-income and lowincome schools.

“We are responsible for our future, and our future is not being fully prepared,” Johnson said.

She teaches third grade students in Camden, N.J., the same city where she began teaching as a member of Teach for America.

Even those who fulfilled their two years in Teach for America and moved on to pursue different careers may still have a stake in education.

Mark Moravitz, 2005 public relations graduate, taught for two years in Houston. He now works for the non-profit organization Points of Light Institute, where he helps for-profit companies use their resources to benefit public education.

He said his experience as a Teach for America corps member equipped him with leadership skills and problem-solving strategies, skills he said he could not have acquired at any other entry-level job.

Teach for America corps members must have a bachelor’s degree and at least a 2.5 grade point average.

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

NEWS

Friday, October 15, 2010 • 3

Faculty bring sense of family to campus dorms Faculty-in-Residence members coordinate resident events; reach out to students in on-campus housing

Faculty members living in campus housing

CHASE COOK The Oklahoma Daily

JALL COWASJI/ THE DAILY

Joshua Landis, OU Center of Middle East Studies director, gives a tour of his residence Oct. 8. It is located on the first floor of Walker Tower.

» Lupe Davidson — Women’s & Gender Studies/African & African American Studies — Couch Center

The director of OU’s Center of Middle East Studies stands at the threshold of his home in Walker Tower with an amiable smile and » Joshua Landis — International & Area palpable enthusiasm.

Studies/Director of Middle East Studies — “Come in, please!” he says.

Walker Center Joshua Landis’ home seems like any other.

It’s warm and spacious. There are books, ta» Allen Hertzke — Department of Political bles, a piano and a myriad of memories in the Science — Cate Center form of trinkets and photos.

However, when Landis and his family of » Logan Whalen — Department of Modern four go to sleep, 1,300 people sleep in the 11 Languages, Linguistics, and Literature — floors above them.

Adams Center Landis is a member of the Faculty-inResidence program. Started by OU President » David Chappell — Department of History David Boren in 1996 and loosely modeled — Kraetlli Apartments, as well as serving after Yale’s program, faculty members apply Traditions Square Apartments every year to live on campus for up to three years, Landis said. » Allen Knehans — Health Sciences Center/ His home is located on the first floor of the Nutritional Sciences — Sooner Housing Center Walker Center, but other participants are scattered across campus. Faculty who enter *Source: Debbie Wells, Diane Brittingham’s assistant. into the program don’t have to pay for the apartment and are provided a meal plan, Landis said.

Diane Brittingham, Residence Life direc- after seeing the apartment.

“You get to change your life, and you do tor, said a decent number of faculty apply and recipients are hand-picked by Boren. something new,” he said. “And then you work Members are provided $5,000 from Housing hard for it.”

This hard work comes in the form of manand Food Services’ budget, and their job is to bridge the gap between resident students and aging work as a faculty member for OU and coordinating with resident advisers to orfaculty through events and close proximity.

Brittingham said the academic variety ganize events, such as dinners with special guests or falafel night. available from the proNot every student gets ingram and the presence of a family with children It’s just a way to stop off and volved, but some of them advantage of these or pets has a positive imfeel like you are a part of the take events, Landis said. pact on students. community. That you aren’t “It’s just a way to stop “I think it’s more about off and feel like you are a just living here as sardines, giving a sense of fampart of the community,” ily or home for students,” and then you go to your he said. “That you aren’t she said. “But, we get to classes.” just living here as sarthrow in that academic dines, and then you go to side without [students] — JOSHUA LANDIS,OU CENTER OF your classes.” realizing it.”

MIDDLE EAST STUDIES DIRECTOR Landis has been teachAs he opened two wining at OU for 10 years. He dows with wide views of Walker-Adams Mall, Landis joked it was like lives with his wife, Manar Landis, and his two sons Kendall and Jonah Landis. being on display.

He will move on after his family’s contract “It’s kind of like a fish bowl. We are here to remind students what a model family looks expires at the end of this year, and the next like,” he said, laughing. “We keep the fighting faculty member will get an opportunity to move in. Although his son Kendall is only away from the windows.”

This is Landis’ third year as a Faculty-in- 6, he already has plans to make Faculty-inResidence. He reflects fondly on his experi- Residence a family legacy.

“When my son grows up, he wants to be a ence, but admits the idea to apply wasn’t his own. His wife wanted to apply, and he agreed Faculty-in-Residence,” Landis said.

You Are Invited!

Class of 2011 Ring Ceremony Honoring Award-Winning Sportscaster

Bob Barry Sr.

Honorary Ring Recipient and Homecoming Parade Marshal

4 p.m.

TODAY

Class of 1950 Plaza and Oklahoma Memorial Union Courtyard In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved to Beaird Lounge.

For additional information or for accommodations on the basis of disability, please call (405) 325-3784.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

- THE PRIDE OF OKLAHOMA

4 • Friday, October 15, 2010

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

OPINION

THUMBS UP ›› Midterm season is almost behind us

OUR VIEW

Jared Rader, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-7630

COLUMN

Students, representatives share Real men blame for UOSA shortcomings wear their During Thursday evening’s Student Congress town hall at the intramural soccer fields, adding outlets in the Bizzell meeting, there was a compelling moment.

Memorial Library and making sure trashcans on campus Public relations committee co-chairman Forrest Bennett are consistently emptied to lessen the chance of bees atasked the six or seven students in attendance what ques- tracted to the trash stinging students — no joke. tions, concerns or ideas they had.

These issues are important, but they shouldn’t be all Silence.

Congress accomplishes. In addition to the previously “Anyone? Not all at once though,” Bennett added. mentioned projects, they should be innovative, forward Those in attendance just stared back, trying to think thinkers and look at issues that affect all students. of something, but were unable. Bennett turned to two Students have a role to fulfill and should talk with their members of the Housing Center Student Association in representatives about what affects them. attendance.

Congress gets a bad rap. Sometimes it’s deserved, other “Have you guys run into any problems that you think we times it’s unfortunate. The recent failure of the town hall can help you with?” Bennett asked. week highlights both.

“I’m sure there are, but off the top of my head can’t think Members of UOSA put themselves out there for students of any,” one of the Housing members to participate, but if no one shows responded. up, nothing is going to happen, and After a few moments of awkward sistudents really don’t have a reason Students have a role to fulfill lence, one student finally asked how to complain. and should talk with their Congress might improve the bike Admittedly, the town hall week representatives about what lanes on campus. The administration was an idea poorly planned and is working on it, Congress vice chair, thrown together at the last minute, affects them. Congress gets a Jonathan Vann reassured her. bad rap. Sometimes it’s deserved, but it’s a good idea that members And herein lies the problem. of UOSA could plan further in adother times it’s unfortunate. The Congress is first and foremost an vance and advertise better in the recent failure of the town hall advocacy organization on behalf future. of students. When the members of Take for example the initiative week highlights both.”

Congress present a problem to the adof getting gender-blind housing in ministration, they are noticed. When the residence halls. If that’s an inithe students unite, get active and demand a problem be tiative enough students demand, and they elect represenaddressed, the administration is forced to listen. tatives who will advocate this demand, the administration Bennett cited the bike lane question as a perfect example will be forced to pay attention. of the misconception many students have with Congress.

It’s these kinds of issues student representatives need to “A lot of times, the projects that you just want us to get be thinking about. done require a lot of research and a lot of planning. We For the most part, members of Congress are eager, hardwould love to just throw down some slapstick sidewalk for working students who want to help improve students’ lives some bicycles so they could be happy tomorrow, but we while at the university. They are a tool that could be used have to look in the long term,” he said. well if students became active in the political process, Bike lanes are a concern, but students shouldn’t expect voiced their concerns to their representatives and elected Congress to address these problems immediately. It takes the ones who promise to fight for them. a long time, given what’s involved in spending money and And Congress has the opportunity to instigate this kind laying concrete. of involvement.

Congress is working on several small initiatives that only serve small campus communities, like installing bleachers Comment on this column at OUDaily.com

COLUMN

Raise an aristocracy for a brainier U.S. Supply-siders assert that giving tax cuts and scrapping each generation a Paris estate taxes will boost spending and help the economy.

Hilton returns some to the STAFF COLUMN Opponents fear the rich will just hoard it. I say on with the larger economy. tax cuts, because we want them to hoard.

The inflation which Gerard Keiser By extending the temporary repeal of the death tax is supposed to increase (scheduled to jump to 55 percent at year’s end for the afwealth is what can end up fected millionaires) and by fighting inflation (rumored to actually destroying it. perhaps be increased soon), we must propagate a permaFurther, the rich by inheritance, with their leisure and nent, hereditary upper class, whose existence is both fair their liberal educations, money to buy both respect and and useful. whatever they like, a natural concern for their heirs and For what is unjust about a little Rothschild boy getting a ancestors, and a habit of considering more than immefew billion for nothing? Of course he didn’t deserve it, but diate necessities, have historically been superb patrons what did you deserve? Did you deserve college; I mean, of the arts and sculptors of society. Today, these roles are you such a fine specimen that college is owed to you are filled by trashy pop stars and the derided National in strict justice? What about, from before you could work, Endowment for the Arts. your clothes, food, vaccines, milk, diapers and shelter?

Yet in response, our wealthy are encouraged to think, No, we did not deserve it; an not about how best to use money, but how accident of birth delivered these best to get more. The goal of our monetary things, which could have been policy and our tax structure is to promote inBut also, we are in a crisis distributed differently. They are vesting by eroding wealth, putting us all into of culture; even among just our birthright for being born an absurd and unstable looking-glass world the educated, nobody under particular circumstances. where you must sprint to remain standing. reads, nobody has decent All is much the same for young This looks silly to you; why are we talking Rothschild, just much more so. about things like art and future security durmanners, nobody learns That may goad us, but from ofing a crisis of unemployment? simply for enjoyment, fended justice or just envy?

We don’t want to spend all our ammuninobody looks at the future Why is it wrong for him to be tion killing today’s bear. But also, we are in a rich, in accordance both with the crisis of culture; even among the educated, except in terms of material custom of millennia and with the nobody reads, nobody has decent manners, prosperity, nobody thinks.” wishes of the owners, who have nobody learns simply for enjoyment, nobody the right — in the strictest, most looks at the future except in terms of mateconcrete sense — to do what they want with their money? rial prosperity, nobody thinks. This brain-atrophy is the Yes, the government may tax wealth, provided it has suf- disaster of our time, and must be fought now. ficient reason, and “sufficient reason” is stamped all over so While the masses of Europe were impoverished farmmany things. But those things will remain undone no mat- ers, hereditary wealth had a culture that was, with its ter how much our government taxes, so our task is to weigh faults, noble and thoughtful. Today, with the educational having a wealthy class against an insignificantly smaller institutions to give everyone that culture, few even in the national debt. upper classes have it. Not only could more hereditary For one thing, the rich are, well, rich. Some people don’t wealth stabilize markets, but maybe it could re-humanize like that, especially when they just hoard it. But “hoard- us. ing” is another word for “minimizing risk,” or “making sure somebody still has money if it all goes to pieces.” Daily col- — Gerard Keiser, umnist Evan DeFilippis was upset on Wednesday that $10 linguistics and classical languages junior trillion of private cash aren’t making jobs, but that’s the safest kind of $10 trillion.

Comment on this column at OUDaily.com And hoarded money isn’t gone forever even if untaxed;

Meredith Moriak Reneé Selanders LeighAnne Manwarren Jared Rader James Corley

contact us

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Assignment Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor

Dusty Somers Neil McGlohon Mark Potts Chris Lusk Judy Gibbs Robinson

160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-0270

phone: 405-325-3666

Life & Arts Editor Photo Editor Multimedia Editor Online Editor Editorial Adviser

e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

beards — thin or ugly In 18 days, Americans — many of whom are college students — resume their annual war on testicular cancer. No Shave November for Testicular Cancer Awareness ends its armistice this Halloween at midnight. The rules of engagement follow: Step 1: On Oct. 31, shave your face.

Step 2: Until Dec. 1, don’t shave, cut or trim hair from your face.

Show solidarity next month by wearing an upsidedown blue ribbon!

Bearded men are sponsored with donations that go to testicular cancer research like the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Lance Armstrong Foundation and Movember.com. OU does not yet have Greek sponsorship for this awareness event (hint, hint). That’s no reason the men here can’t participate even if STAFF COLUMN MN the event is largely symbolic. Let November be a Bryan month where ugly beards Honeycutt remind us of the most common form of cancer afflicting men ages 18-35.

On Oct. 6, we were reminded of detestable members of society who are in full beard most months: the homeless. Yes, the same homeless those insensitive Greeks raised money for in-between trips to the Mercedes dealership and Yacht Club meetings.

As Matt Bruenig pointed out last week, Shack-A-Thon is a potentially offensive charity that raises awareness of these bearded homeless. The event, described by Bruenig as “OU’s most shameful annual tradition,” arguably does more for Greek public image than it raises funds for Habitat for Humanity.

Mark Zuckerberg (the god of Facebook and by extension 500 million bored, lonely people) executed a similar, thinly veiled public image booster. He donated $100 million to New Jersey public schools. This donation — not unlike OU’s Shack-A-Thon — was criticized as a shady PR move due to its timing. Zuckerberg announced the donation just before a negative portrayal of him in The Social Network released in theaters.

It remains unclear whether that money will be enough to correct the public education responsible for the protagonists of Jersey At some point, the Shore. symbolic value of a Mary Helen Ramming, donation ... is less writing for the Washington Examiner, interrogates this important than the problem less sardonically actual results the in “Will Mark Zuckerberg’s act produces. No Donation Really Help New Shave November for Jersey Public Schools?”

Most would agree that at Testicular Cancer worst, the donation is a Awareness, if only sleazy image-control stunt. symbolic, still At best, it is a symbolic efcontributes to a fort to correct a serious worthy cause ... that problem. point, the symmight otherwise be b oAtl i csome v a l u e o f a d o na ignored.” tion — whether it’s just a pat on the back for fabulously well-to-do Greeks or image control for the social network-nerd — is less important than the actual results the act produces. No Shave November for Testicular Cancer Awareness, if only symbolic, still contributes to a worthy cause (testicular cancer awareness, if you’ve forgotten) that might otherwise be ignored.

Sensitivity to the homeless’ dignity expressed by Bruenig and others is admirable. Skepticism about a donation’s intent or its effectiveness is equally admirable. However, it is worth asking on what other day of the year do students so palpably consider the issue of homelessness in Oklahoma.

Even if Shack-A-Thon is degrading or self-serving, what other day of the year are we reminded of or enabled to assist the less fortunate? Even if Zuckerberg is pregnant with evil at the tender age of 26, will his donation purchase fewer books, the salaries of fewer teachers or repairs for fewer leaking roofs?

And even if every one of my facial follicles mutinies against my otherwise dashing looks, will that influence my dating in the slightest?

— Bryan Honeycutt, English graduate

Comment on this column at OUDaily.com

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

Guest columns are accepted and printed at the editor’s discretion.

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be edited for space. Students must list their major and classification. Submit letters Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters also can be e-mailed to dailyopinion@ou.edu.

‘Our View’ is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board, which consists of the editorial staff. The board meets at 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

Friday, October 15, 2010 • 5

LIFE&ARTS

OUDAILY.COM ›› Watch Daily reporter Lauren Abram’s experience as a one-night fan of Insane Clown Posse (shown right)t)

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

Homegrown hip-hop artist takes charge of career RYAN QUERBACH The Oklahoma Daily

Tulsa rapper/singer Johnny Polygon has seen growing success lately, due in large part to single “Riot Song” and “Rebel Without Applause,” a free mixtape he released.

He performs tonight in the Oklahoma Memorial Union in a free show for OU students.

The Daily spoke with Johnny over the phone about his musical style, music videos and staying independent.

asked me the other day if I like singing or rapping better, and I asked them if they liked smiling or laughing better.

THE DAILY: Will you sign to a label, or are you remaining independent?

JOHNNY: I’m independent as f**k, man.

At this stage in my career, I have to make my own decisions. I can’t have anyone to blame for my failure or anyone taking responsibility for my success. Plus I’m doing everything in house, so like there’s nothing much a label would be able to offer me.

THE DAILY: You’ve got the whole hybrid singer/rapper thing going, do you prefer one or the other?

JOHNNY: Nah, it really depends on the composition.

Sometimes the song WHEN: 9:30 tonight is like, “OK, this is a rap song,” and WHERE: Oklahoma Memorial then other times it’s Union’s Meacham Auditorium like, “OK, this is a singing song” and COST: Free for OU students. then sometimes it’s Print a free ticket from www. both. I create from ticketstorm.com to ensure a spot a completely blank slate. Someone

Concert Bill

THE DAILY: Who are some artists that you’d like to work with?

JOHNNY: Norah Jones, man.

She’s on the top of my list.

I’m dying to do a song, an album, a collection, a box set with Norah Jones. I think that my sound is rooted in hip-hop, but it grows all over the place. [With] all of my projects, I try to display a broad range. There’s no onesided people in the world, but there’s plenty of one-

PHOTO PROVIDED

Hip-hop artist Johnny Polygon hails from Tulsa and has worked with artists Nas, Kid Cudi and Dead Prez. He performs 9:30 tonight in Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Meacham Auditorium. sided artists, which confuses me. When I put out a project it’s like, “Hey world, this is my personality right now; this is the person I am,” and that’s definitely not a one-dimensional person, hence “Johnny Polygon.”

THE DAILY: What’s it like having a music video playing on TV? JOHNNY: It’s crazy. It is absolutely crazy.

It’s a lot different that I thought it would be. I thought that I’d be rich by the time I was on MTV. My first MC battle, I’m thinking, “I’m going to be on MTV, and by the time I am, it’s going to be on some Justin Bieber sort of thing. I’m going to be rich and famous and traveling the world.”

I’m just missing the rich part.

Visit OUDaily.com to read the complete Q&A

‘Never Let Me Go’ illustrates bleak tale of human connection “Never Let Me Go” looks a lot more like Merchant Ivory than Philip K. Dick, but make no mistake, this is a science fiction film, albeit with barely a single trapping of the genre.

It’s also an impossible film to describe at length without dampening the film’s moody and menacing atmosphere.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield star in “Never Let Me Go.”

The film doesn’t hinge on a 180-degree (Charlotte Rampling), and the children about-face that must be spoken about in there live a structured, but pleasant exishushed, spoiler-tagged language, but it’s bettence. But when a new teacher, Miss Lucy ter to walk in knowing nothing at all and allow (Sally Hawkins), arrives, she puts the first STAFF COLUMN MN the film’s slowly revealed truth to wash over crack in the illusion.

Dusty you in waves, each one encroaching a little After they’ve graduated boarding school, Somers closer than the last. the three are able to move to a countryside Still, with marketing blitzes and a highly achome with some other friends. Kathy has claimed 2005 source novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, pined for the outcast Tommy since their it’s probable most viewers will have already picked up on childhood, but the more assertive Ruth has claimed him. the endgame, by osmosis or otherwise. That hardly renders Kathy longs to feel close to someone, and the increasingly the film impotent. bleak state of the world that emerges throughout the film Mark Romanek (“One Hour Photo”) has crafted a beauti- explores the way the need for human connection adapts. fully restrained film that deals with deep emotional turmoil Adam Kimmel’s photography captures dystopia in an without resorting to histrionics (save for one misstep late in entirely different fashion than the urban decay of “Blade the film), and Carey Mulligan is a revelation as Kathy, the Runner” or “Brazil.” Here, windswept landscapes and desplaintive and caring woman at the heart of the film. olate beaches comprise the visual language of humanity’s Along with friends Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth despair.

(Keira Knightley), Kathy spent her childhood at a distin“Never Let Me Go” is a quietly affecting film, disturbing guished boarding school (here, all three are played by bril- and moving the viewer all at once. liantly cast children who appear to be the actual younger version of each, especially Isobel Meikle-Small as the young — Dusty Somers, Kathy). The school is presided over by the strict Miss Emily journalism senior

NOON Food giveaways on the South Oval Presented by Healthy Sooners

6 • Friday, October 15, 2010

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

CLASSIFIEDS C Transportation

PLACE AN AD Fax: 405-325-7517 Campus Address: COH 149A

APTS. UNFURNISHED

AUTO INSURANCE

DEADLINES

Auto Insurance

Line Ad ..................................................................................3 days prior

Quotations anytime

Place line ad by 9:00 a.m. 3 business days prior to publication.

Foreign students welcomed

refrig, bath w/shower, CH/A, $1200/mo.

Water & gas paid, over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, apply store office.

SYCAMORE COTTAGES 1/2 Off 1st MO / $99 Deposit!

Services

Place your display, classified display or classified card ads by 5:00 p.m. 3 business days prior to publication.

1 Bed Efficiency $399 No App Fee / Pets Welcome

PAYMENT

Elite Properties 360-6624

MISC. SERVICES

www.elite2900.com

GET FREE CELL PHONE SERVICE! ASK ME HOW! 1-800-385-1420

TM

Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Credit cards, cash, money orders or local checks accepted.

RENOVATED! 1 BLK from OU $325, 1012 S College. 360-2873 / 306-1970.

$99 DEPOSIT / 1/2 OFF 1st MONTH

Willowbrook, 2 bd $525

HELP WANTED

Line Ad

Greentree, 2 bd $550 Pets Welcome! Large Floor Plans!

There is a 2 line minimum charge; approximately 42 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation.

(Cost = Days x # lines x $/line)

P/T dishwasher, waitstaff and delivery person needed.

Orient Express, 722 Asp, 364-2100.

10-14 days.........$1.15/line 15-19 days.........$1.00/line 20-29 days........$ .90/line 30+ days ........ $ .85/line

NOW HIRING WAIT STAFF Gaberino’s Homestyle Italian Restaurant Opening Mid-Oct off Ed Noble Pkwy Please call Laura 226-7949 & leave a message

Classified Display, Classified Card Ad or Game Sponsorship

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

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

Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.

Saratoga Springs $449-$500

RATES

1 day ..................$4.25/line 2 days ................$2.50/line 3-4 days.............$2.00/line 5-9 days.............$1.50/line

A drunk driver ruined something precious.Amber Apodaca.

2 col (3.25 in) x 2.25 inches

Models Open 8a-8p Everyday!

360-6624 or www.elite2900.com

DUPLEXES UNFURNISHED 1 or 2 bed duplex available mid-town, vintage w/ large dining room. Immediate occupancy! 270-6450

Photo by Michael Mazzeo

r

APT OR OFFICE UNFURNISHED 1000 sq ft, 4 rooms, + kitchen w/stove &

JIM HOLMES INSURANCE, 321-4664

Display Ad ............................................................................3 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad

s r

J Housing Rentals

HOUSES UNFURNISHED Walk to OU. 2/1/1, W/D hookups. New A/

Bartending! Up to $300/day. No exp nec.

Training provided. 1-800-965-6520 x133.

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

LEASING AGENT

POLICY

NEEDED IMMEDIATELY Friendly, Outgoing Person! Competitive Pay and Flexible Hours!

Resume to: gm@hornetresidential or mail to 1203 Iowa, Lawrence, KS 66044 Attn: Hornet Residential

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.

C, carpet, paint! Yard maintained.

404 Page Circle

$650/mo

329-4321

TOWNHOUSES UNFURNISHED Taylor Ridge Townhomes 2 Bdrm, 2.5 Bath, Fully Renovated Townhomes near OU!

™ & © 2003 The Jim Henson Company

Phone: 405-325-2521 E-mail: classifieds@ou.edu

Bobby Jones, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-2521

Pets Welcome! • Call for current rates and Move-in Specials!!!

NOW HIRING! P/T delivery person Apply within THEO’S MARKETPLACE Fine Furniture & Accessories.

3720 W Robinson, Suite 100

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.

Taylor Ridge Townhomes (405) 310-6599

J Housing Rentals

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.

APTS. FURNISHED Small Loft apts, over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, $430 to $550. Bills paid,

All ads are subject to acceptance by The Oklahoma Daily. Ad acceptance may be re-evaluated at any time.

apply store office.

Mention this ad for 10% off!

Eats flies. Dates a pig. Hollywood star.

LIVE YOUR DREAMS Pass It On. www.forbetterlife.org

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2010, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Friday, Oct. 15, 2010

8

6

Previous Solution

3

3 2

9

4 5 8

3 2 7

9

4

2 1 8

4 7 5 8 2

2 1 5

9 2 8 7 1 4 5 6 3

7 1 3 8 5 6 9 2 4

5 4 6 2 9 3 1 8 7

1 7 5 6 2 8 4 3 9

6 3 9 5 4 1 8 7 2

4 8 2 3 7 9 6 1 5

2 9 4 1 6 7 3 5 8

3 6 7 4 8 5 2 9 1

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

9

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.

8 5 1 9 3 2 7 4 6

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - It will be no surprise that your leadership qualities are seeking expression, just be sure to do so in a manner that ingratiates you to others. Done right, it’ll be hail to the chief.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - Plan to engage in some kind of activity with friends who challenge your creativity and resourcefulness. You need to be mentally aroused as well as physically stimulated.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Although you might be anxious to get a start on the weekend festivities, you’ll first need to finalize matters and tie things down, which you can do through your natural-born tenacity.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Something great you did a long time ago, which you thought was totally forgotten, might be brought to light once again. Be gracious in how you handle this, keeping in mind it was in the past.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - If someone with whom you have lost touch is on your mind, try to reopen lines of communication once again. Something this person is involved in would be perfect for you right now.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Grasping the essence of a new idea or concept before anybody else does will give you a competitive edge over your peers. Be sure to implement it the moment you recognize it for what it is.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - You could be luckier than usual in areas that can enhance your financial wherewithal and security.

It would be a shame to waste your time on endeavors that yield no profit or growth.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Changes you’ve needed to make but were unable to implement until now can bring about something that everybody else has been trying to get their hands on. Use your edge wisely.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Be self-reliant, because you could be particularly fortunate by putting your imprint on situations that are personally important. Don’t let others do what you can perform better.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Being the big dog isn’t as important to you as being able to please your companions and make them feel special. It’s this attitude that makes you so popular among your peers, and it will continue to do so.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - It isn’t your nature need crowds in order to be happy. Seeking out a certain amount of solitude to sort out all your thoughts would do you a world of good.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - Others might be looking for enjoyment and gratification in frivolous activities, but you will still be keeping your nose to the grindstone. Don’t look up until your goal is realized.

ACROSS 1 Cause of a sloppy track 4 ___ Mae (Whoopi’s “Ghost” role) 7 Problem drinker 10 Doctorate (Abbr.)

13 Actor Wallach 14 City near Disney World 16 Sitcom actress Charlotte 17 Quieting feature of some vehicles 19 Tolkien fiend 20 Pond organism 21 Bygone Russian space station 22 Old newsboy’s call 24 Durable tree in the pine family 26 Having no match 29 Letter after zeta 30 Prior, to Prior 32 Power problems 33 Quiet and modest 35 “___ Miserables” 36 Despite all that 37 Car part that creates friction 40 U.S. government

document producer 42 Dog doc 43 Firstborn sibling 47 Turncoat’s crime 49 Apple cider girl of song 50 Film colleague of Morpheus and Trinity 51 Night crawler 53 Honors in style 55 Seed to flavor liqueur 56 Photo ___ (publicity setups) 58 Saws along the grain 59 Arrow partner 60 It prevents coolant from escaping 64 Will Smith portrayal of 2001 65 Charmingly pastoral 66 Praise may inflate it 67 Stand-up unit 68 No proponent 69 “... wherefore ___ thou Romeo?”

70 Like many sr. citizens DOWN 1 Excelled in the Olympics 2 Act the banshee 3 Explanatory chart 4 ___-pah-pah (tuba sound) 5 You can beat

it with a stick 6 To the end, in music 7 Weekend NBC comedy, for short 8 Praising poem 9 Tried to rip open 10 Mentor’s charge 11 Tubman or Nelson 12 Model train stick-ons 15 Certain coiffure 18 Fond du ___ (Wisconsin city) 23 Photographed in a dentist’s office 25 Munchen Mr. 27 Regretful RSVPs 28 More than encouraged 31 Acknowledge anew

34 Maritime hazards in WWII 35 Permit 38 Lottery-like game 39 Royal Norse name 40 Health nut’s cereal 41 Colonial era hairpiece 44 Tempter 45 Slow outflow 46 Sot 47 Brewing innovation 48 Arab prince 49 Graceful antelope 52 Muddy up, as water 54 Make muffs 57 Wield a swizzle stick 61 Bother, to the Bard 62 Give a new hue to 63 Tenth mo.

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

© 2010 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

THE DANDY MECHANIC by Eric Carmelo

(Editors: For editorial questions, contact Nadine Anheier, h i @ li k )

HOROSCOPE

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker October 15, 2010

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

Friday, October 15, 2010 • 7

OUDAILY.COM ›› The Daily’s RJ Young and M.J. Casiano debate whether the MLB should start using instant replay

SPORTS

James Corley, sports editor ddailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

COLUMN

Beating Iowa State can boost season The Sooners return to the field after their bye week to face the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday in Norman. Iowa State is a team many have said has a better team than its record shows.

The Cyclones drew Texas, OU and Texas Tech out of the Big 12 South Division this year, along with playing Iowa and Utah — both top-10 teams in the most recent AP poll.

ISU did manage to down the Red Raiders 52-38 on Oct. 2, but still sit at 3-3 after losing to Utah 68-27 Saturday. OU will be the third ranked team on ISU’s schedule so far this season. If things stay how they are, Iowa State will have to face two more ranked opponents — Nebraska and Missouri — along with currently unranked Texas in its last five games of the season.

Considering the defensive struggle the Cyclones have experienced this year and the home-field dominance of OU, a Cyclone victory is highly unlikely. However, that does not mean there aren’t a few things OU can do in the game to help their season.

PROVE THE DEFENSE CAN STOP A MOBILE QB Diondre Borel (Utah State), Tim Jefferson (Air Force) and Zach Collaros (Cincinnati) all had huge games against OU’s defense. Iowa State’s senior quarterback, Austen Arnaud, is another quality dual-threat quarterback, and you can bet he has watched plenty of game tape on the Sooners’ struggles against other mobile quarterbacks.

Stopping Arnaud from having a productive day in both the passing and run game could do wonders for the defense’s confidence in stopping the dual-threat quarterback. With Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert, Texas A&M’s Jerrod Johnson, Baylor’s Robert Griffin and possibly Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez in the near future, this is one area OU must improve if it hopes to be successful this season. Starting after Iowa State could prove to be too late.

PLAY CONSISTENT THROUGH FOUR QUARTERS OU hasn’t played a complete game since Week two, when the Sooners downed then-No. 17 Florida State 47-17. OU blew big leads against Utah State, Air Force, Cincinnati and — most recently — Texas, allowing each opponent to make it a game in the second half because of OU’s stagnant offense and a defense that featured gaping holes in both the run and pass coverage.

Again, a full game Saturday would be as much of a morale booster for players and coaches as

celebrate.

it would be anything else. The Sooners must prove to future opSTAFF COLUMN LUMN ponents they are capable of providing a convincing win over four Clark Foy oy quarters, not just two or three.

This season, OU has only trailed for just more than four minutes in all games combined, this season when Cincinnati took a 3-0 lead on their first drive. The Sooners have yet to end a quarter trailing, but they have gotten close — perhaps too close — several times.

You can bet that teams like Missouri, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and probable Big 12 Championship opponent Nebraska will feast on OU’s dire second halves if they are given the chance.

ESTABLISH A RELIABLE RUNNING BACK ROTATION OU has a loaded backfield with senior running backs DeMarco Murray and Mossis Madu, and freshman fullback Trey Millard has proven to be a viable option as well. Freshmen Brennan Clay and Roy Finch return to the lineup this week having both healed from their injuries.

HIGHLIGHTING OR COLOR

Being

NUMBER ONE is nothing to

REBEKKA BROWN/IOWA STATE DAILY

Offensive lineman Brayden Burris (79) runs to protect quarterback Austen Arnaud (4) from a defensive lineman during the game against Utah on Oct. 9 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.

WITH HAIRCUT • $49.99 WEAVE OR FOIL ADD $10.00

HAIRCUT • $11.99 Non-Requested Stylist Only

The Works $16.99 Shampoo/ Cut/Blowdry

Haircut Manicure $11.99

116 S. Main, Noble 127 N. Porter 1100 E. Constitution 129 N.W. Ave. 1215 W. Lindsey 579-1202 872-1661 360-4422 360-4247 364-1325

This year, more than 163,000 people will die from lung cancer—making it America’s

NUMBER ONE cancer killer.

But new treatments offer hope.

Join Lung Cancer Alliance in the fight against this disease. lungcanceralliance.org

9

help is just a phone call away

number

crisis line

325-6963 (NYNE)

OU Number Nyne Crisis Line

8 p.m.-4 a.m. every day

except OU holidays and breaks

Eat, Pray, Love PG13 12:45 3:45 6:45 9:45 The Expendables R 12:25 2:45 5:05 7:25 9:45 Despicable Me PG 12:20 2:35 4:55 7:05 9:20

The American R 1:00 4:00 7:00 9:25 Toy Story 3 in 2-D G 12:15 2:35 4:55 7:15 9:35 Salt PG13 12:30 2:50 7:10 Vampires Suck PG13 5:10 9:30

With so much talent, the Sooners need to capitalize offensively in the most efficient way. So far, Murray has proved to be the most reliable back on the team, but he struggles running between the tackles. Madu has showed himself as serviceable ,but no better up the middle. Finch is a developing legend due to his quickness, despite never having played a game, but that still doesn’t fill the consistent hard-yardage hole Chris Brown left behind.

Maybe Clay, who only saw two carries before getting hurt, can provide the up-the-middle grit the Sooners are missing. That leaves Murray, Madu and Finch as primarily outside and inspace threats. Can all of them receive carries? I don’t know if anyone knows that yet, but an established and effective running back rotation has to be in place before the Sooners go on the road to Columbia Oct. 23 to face No. 21 Missouri.

— Clark Foy, journalism senior

OU focused on Cyclones, Venables says The Sooners have turned their focus to their next opponent, Iowa State. The Cyclones are 3-3 this year, but OU isn’t taking them lightly, defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.

“They have to feel good about themselves for sure after beating Texas Tech and challenging the other teams on their schedule,” Venables said.

Senior defensive back Jonathan Nelson said Iowa State is better than its record might indicate, and the Cyclones have definitely improved this year.

“Last year they beat Nebraska, and this year they beat Texas Tech.,” Nelson said.

“They, overall, are a really good team, and that isn’t reflected in their record.”

The rest of the Sooners’ season consists of seven consecutive conference games with no bye weeks in between, and after surviving a difficult non-conference schedule and Texas, redshirt sophomore Landry Jones said he and his teammates can’t afford to get ahead of themselves.

“We have a stretch of seven games coming up,” Jones said.

“We can’t count anyone out or take Iowa State lightly.”

Junior lineman Stephen Good said OU is ready for the challenges ahead after the week off.

“We want to show we’re ready to play some Big 12 football,” Good said.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

— Aaron Colen/The Daily

SPORTS

8 • Friday, October 15, 2010

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULES

Softball » WHAT: hosting National Pro Fastpitch All-Stars » WHEN: 7:30 tonight » WHERE: OU Softball Complex

Volleyball » WHAT: visiting the Kansas Jayhawks » WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

Saturday » WHERE: Lawrence, Kan.

Cross country » WHAT: Chile Pepper Invitational » WHEN: 9 a.m. Saturday » WHERE: Fayetteville, Ark. » WHAT: Pre-Nationals » WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday » WHERE: Terre Haute, Ind.

Men’s tennis » WHAT: Mansfield Futures » WHEN: Saturday through Oct. 22 » WHERE: Mansfield, Texas

Soccer » WHAT: hosting the Colorado Buffaloes » WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday » WHERE: OU Soccer Complex STANDINGS

Big 12 football standings North Missouri 5-0, 1-0 Nebraska 5-0, 1-0 Kansas State 4-1, 1-1 Iowa State 3-3, 1-1 Colorado 3-2, 0-1 Kansas 2-3, 0-1 South Oklahoma 5-0, 1-0 Oklahoma State 5-0, 1-0 Baylor 3-2, 1-1 Texas 3-2, 1-1 Texas Tech 3-2, 1-2 Texas A&M 3-2, 0-1

OU looking to end conference slide Upcoming games crucial for Sooners’s Big 12 standings, postseason position against tough opponents GREG FEWELL The Oklahoma Daily

After falling to third place in the Big 12 after a loss Wednesday to Texas, the Sooners are hoping to rebound Saturday at Kansas.

The Jayhawks have an identical record to the Sooners, both 13-6 this year. More importantly, Kansas (4-4) is only a game behind OU (5-3) in conference play. The Sooners can preserve their standing with a win, but a loss would tie them with Kansas in fourth and could lead to OU dropping further down the conference standings.

If OU can beat Kansas on the road, it will stay deadlocked with Iowa State in third place and only one game behind Texas.

Since the Sooners play both schools again in November, the team will have ample opportunity to make up ground as long as it wins games now to keep from falling farther behind.

In short, because of how much the teams in the Nos. 2-6 spots in the Big 12 are jostling for position, each game is a must-win for OU. Winning in Lawrence, Kan., will not be

easy, though. The Jayhawks have been solid at home despite having their fair share of struggles in conference play. Of the team’s six losses this year, only two of those came at home, and neither of those losses was a conference match.

The Sooners know how important every game has become and are doing their best to be mentally ready, junior setter Brianne Barker said.

“There is, I think, a little bit more urgency now,” Barker said. “Just because we are in third place now, and we know that every match is going to be tough.”

The OU team is not in the position it would like to be going into Saturday’s game. A win Wednesday night would have put the Sooners in control. Instead, they now have to play catch-up to three nationally ranked teams in order to have a chance at a conference crown.

The good news is the Sooners have the time and the talent to keep up. OU has proven it has the ability to play with the country’s top teams. Now, the Sooners must prove they can win crucial games against tough opponents.

The first test — and maybe the most important, coming off the Texas loss — is NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY against the Jayhawks. First serve is set for Junior setter Brianne Barker sets the ball during the OU-Texas 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Sooners return to Norman to face volleyball match Wednesday night at the McCasland Field House.

The Sooners lost 3-1.

Texas A&M at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

SOFTBALL

Sooners to face professional all-star team National Professional Fastpitch team will feature former college pitchers in Back-to-School tour TOBI NEIDY The Oklahoma Daily

The difference between a college and a professional athlete is typically four years, a number of professional education classes and thousands of stadium steps.

But for the OU softball team, that difference will shrink to 60 feet tonight.

OU softball will face some of the top pitchers in the world at 7

tonight as the Sooners host the National Pro Fastpitch All-Star team at the OU Softball Complex’s Marita Hynes Field.

The Sooners will battle the best of the big names in the softball professional world such as Cat Osterman, Francesca Enea, Megan Willis and Danielle Lawrie.

Coach Patty Gasso said the game is a great opportunity for the team.

“The fall is about competing, improving and learning, and we have the chance to learn from the best in the sport,” Gasso said. “I’m anxious to see how our pitching

staff performs against their hitters and how our hitters respond to their pitchers. It’s going to be a great event for softball fans.”

Amber Flores and Samantha Ricketts, two former Sooner AllAmericans, finish out the line-up and will play against a relatively young Sooner offense.

Flores ended her OU career in 2010 as the Big 12 leader in runs scored (64) and tied for second with 15 home runs on the year.

Ricketts finished her Sooner career in 2009 as the Big 12 leader in doubles (15).

The All-Stars are coming off a recent 6-2 victory over Oklahoma

Big 12 soccer standings Oklahoma State 12-1-1, 5-0 Texas A&M 11-3, 4-1 Nebraska 11-4, 4-2 Oklahoma 8-5-1, 3-2 Missouri 5-6-2, 3-2 Texas Tech 9-5-1, 2-3-1 Colorado 6-7-1, 2-3-1 Baylor 9-5-1, 2-4 Texas 8-3-3, 1-2-2 Iowa State 6-7-2, 1-4 Kansas 5-9, 1-5

Big 12 volleyball standings Nebraska 16-1, 16-0 Texas 6-2, 11-5 Iowa State 12-4, 5-3 Oklahoma 13-6, 5-3 Kansas 13-6, 4-4 Missouri 12-7, 4-5 Baylor 10-9, 3-5 Texas A&M 9-9, 3-5 Kansas State 9-10, 3-5 Colorado 6-9, 3-6 Texas Tech 3-14, 1-7 —Big12Sports.com

Football tickets still available A limited number of unclaimed OU-Iowa State student tickets are available online at SoonerSports.com or by phone at 405-325-2424.

National Clandestine Service.

— Daily staff reports

Need some inside information on footbal?

YOUR MISSION: TRANSLATION IN DEFENSE OF THE NATION.

BECOME AN NCS

LANGUAGE OFFICER.

Your foreign language skills can keep America safe. It’s more than just translating. It’s about interpreting nuances and conveying cultural insights for meaningful intelligence acquisition.

It’s about making a difference, 24/7.

Listen to The Daily’s “Two Minute Warning” podcast at

Applicants must have US citizenship and the ability to successfully complete medical examinations and security procedures including a polygraph interview. An equal opportunity employer and a drug-free work force.

For additional information and to apply, visit www.cia.gov

THE WORK OF A NATION. THE CENTER OF INTELLIGENCE.

State on Wednesday in Stillwater.

Former University of Texas pitcher Osterman struck out 11 batters in four innings pitched.

T h e Na t i o n a l P ro f e s s i o n a l Fastpitch team, for merly the Women’s Pro Softball League, is made up of four professional teams (Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Tennessee Diamonds and USSSA Pride).

This year, the team competed in a Back-to-School Tour gave fans across 18 college programs — i n c l u d i n g O U t o n i g ht — a chance for their teams to compete against the best professionals of the game.