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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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Full-time staff to make at least $9 per hour Raises not a response to living wage campaign, university spokesman says CHASE COOK The Oklahoma Daily
After Students for a Democratic Society announced their living wage campaign Monday, OU announced all full-time hourly employees will not make less than $9 an hour. OU spokesman Chris Shilling said the announcement was
made to inform employees of the increase and was witheld until all employees affected by the increase were officially entered into the computer. “This is not an official response to the SDS campaign,” Shilling said. President David Boren made this decision in early September after holding a summer meeting to discuss concern over permanent, full-time employees making less than $9 an hour, according to a memo from Brian Ellis, facilities
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management director. Employees getting the raise will notice the difference in their paychecks for the pay period beginning Oct. 9. Housing and Food Director Dave Annis said in an e-mail that the decision was made in early fall 2010 and employees saw their wage increase applied in September. Shilling said Boren made the decision without consulting the OU Board of Regents because it didn’t affect employees making more than $60,000.
Michael Howard, Students of a Democratic Society organizer and history and political science senior, said the organization wasn’t aware of the wage increase. However, this increase isn’t enough to deter them from their living wage campaign. “$9 is still below the living wage for the Norman area,” Howard said. The living wage campaign started Monday and advocates the increase of full-time hourly employees to $13. This wage was
determined using Penn State University’s living wage calculator. A living wage differs from wages established using the poverty line because it takes into consideration health insurance, necessities (i.e. clothing), food, child care, transportation, taxes and other necessary expenses. Shilling said OU is willing to listen to students, but that doesn’t mean changes will happen, especially in the current economy. “Open ears is one thing,” Shilling said. “Open wallets are another.”
CULTURE | OU COUSINS EXPERIENCE FALL FESTIVAL
Project available on OU’s website; iPhone app version may be released soon EMILY HOPKINS The Oklahoma Daily
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After several years of development and discussion, OU now has a universitywide calendar to serve as a single location for events sponsored by a variety of campus organizations. The calendar is not in its final stage, but is up and running at www.ou.edu/calendar. Users can view universitywide events and important deadlines, but not pr ivate ones. Individual departments may also create their own versions of the calendar available for members by contacting the calendar team at calendar@ ou.edu. The idea for the website was in the works for awhile after students, faculty and staff expressed a need for it, said Chris Shilling, university spokesman. “It’s an initiative that’s kind of been pushed for a long time,” Shilling said. “People wanted to have a calendar that gave
Top: University College freshman Danielle Martin and biochemistry sophomore Jay Vinnedge paint a Vincent Van Gogh “Starry Night”-themed pumpkin Monday at an OU Cousins festival at the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center. OU Cousins members carved and painted pumpkins, watched halloween themed movies and had refreshments. Right: Karina Villouta, architecture senior, carves a pumpkin Monday evening at the OU Cousins meeting. Bottom: International business junior Martin Groschwald, left, makes a carmel apple Monday during the OU Cousins festival at the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center.
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Department offers leadership opportunities Group Leadership Development and Volunteerism Office aims to launch website this year HILLARY MCLAIN The Oklahoma Daily
A new website will consolidate all information about leadership opportunities at OU and help students hone their leadership skills. The Leadership Development and Volunteerism Office is creating the website for anyone interested. It is not just for honors students or those already involved in leadership activities, office director Becky Barker said. “Everyone has the ability to be a leader,” Barker said. “There was a dream to create a place that’s accessible to any student.” For students fresh from high school student council, it will help them find a place on campus. For those already involved in leadership activities, the site will provide resources and ideas NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY for their programs, such as iceBecky Barker, Student Affairs Leadership Development and Volunteerism director, breaker games. S e g m e n t s o f t h e p ro g ra m prepares papers Oct. 7 in her office on the second floor of the Oklahoma Memorial began 20 years ago, but OU Union. The office was started under the mission to “promote service to state and President David Boren and his society.” The office works with more than 100 agencies across the state.
A LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW AT Visit the news section to read about Sooner safety updates Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
THE OKLAHOMA DAILY VOL. 96, NO. 43 © 2010 OU Publications Board www.facebook.com/OUDaily www.twitter.com/OUDaily
How to take part To get involved in the program, e-mail Becky Barker at rreed@ ou.edu, e-mail Kari Dawkins at Kari@ou.edu or visit leadandvolunteer.ou.edu wife implemented the volunteerism aspect in 1996. The office was officially named in 2000 and, in 2007, merged with the Center for Leadership Development. “In its 10th year, the office of Leadership Development and Volunteer ism has become a household establishment here at OU,” university spokesman Chris Shilling said by e-mail. “The best thing about the office of Leadership Development and Volunteerism is that it provides universal skills and opportunities that will benefit any student in the future, and help students establish lasting and meaningful relationships.” As part of the program, Kari Dawkins, assistant director of SEE LEADERSHIP PAGE 2
INDEX Campus .............. 2 Classifieds .......... 4 Life & Arts ........... 5 Opinion .............. 3 Sports ................ 6
advises charities Applications due Nov. 30 for students interested in consulting experience DHARA SHETH The Oklahoma Daily
Students interested in offering their expertise to help non-profit organizations better get their resumes together quickly. Applications are almost due for The Oklahoma Group, a new student-run organization that provides pro bono consulting services to non-profit agencies. “By benefitting students and non-profits, we are benefitting the entire community,” said Stephanie Heck, Center for Social Justice program coordinator, who provides administrative support to The Oklahoma Group. Their mission is “to promote social responsibility,
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TODAY’S WEATHER 72°| 51° Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high of 74 degrees Visit the Oklahoma Weather Lab at owl.ou.edu