Monday, November 28, 2011

Look inside for holiday shopping tips from Sooner Yearbook’s Gift Guide T h e Un ı v e r sı t y of Ok l a hom a A I DS Awa r e n ess We e k

M O N DAY, N OV E M B E R 2 8 , 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

oU PolicE

campus crimes decline over 3 years University police credits lowered rates to SafeWalk BLAYKLEE BUCHANAN Campus Reporter

The blue emergency lights illuminating campus after nightfall are scattered about campus to provide safety, but a recent safety report indicates students may not need them anytime soon.

The OU Safety Report 2011 recorded a decrease in arson, burglary and aggravated assault from 2009 to 2010. Robbery and forcible sex offenses stayed the same.

Even with no change in robbery and

iNtERNAtioNAl

Egypt police abuse critic

forcible sex offenses, the numbers are still low at one robbery per year and two forcible sex offenses.

OU Police Sgt. Tim Tucker attributed the low figures to OU being a safe campus.

Students just need to take universal precautions such as carrying a cellphone and being aware of their surroundings.

“I have a 19-year-old daughter, and I’d be perfectly all right with her riding her mountain bike across campus at 11 o’clock at night,” Tucker said.

OU and Bedlam rival Oklahoma State University reported similar crime statistics in 2010 for arson, robbery and forcible sex offenses, although six more burglaries

“I have a 19-year-old daughter, and I’d be perfectly all right with her riding her mountain bike across campus at 11 o’clock at night.”

TIM TUCKER, OU POLICE SERGEANT

reported in 2010 by OSU police.

In the last three years, OU has made up about 15.7 percent of total reported arson, burglary, aggravated assault and forcible sex offenses at four-year public universities in Oklahoma, according to the U.S. Department of Postsecondary Education.

The lower figures also could be

attributed to the resources on campus such as SafeWalk. The staff always carry flashlights and umbrellas in wet weather.

SafeWalk can be reached at 405-325-WALK or by using the blue emergency phones.

When using the phone, users ask the OUPD dispatcher to connect to SafeWalk.

Data were unavailable for the times or frequency the blue emergency lights’ phones have been used.

Tucker said campus is safe as long as students remember universal precautions.

“I perceive our campus to have very low crime rates. … Carry your pepper spray and cellphone and live your life,” Tucker said.

Billikens block OU’s title hopes in 76 Classic

OU’s 2010 activistin-residence protests treatment Managing Editor

JALISA GREEN Staff Reporter

aLeX GaLLardo/tHe assoCiated press

Junior forward Romero Osby (24) shoots over Saint Louis forward Cory Remekun (32) during the first half in the championship game of the 76 Classic men’s basketball tournament Sunday in Anaheim, Calif. The Billikens beat the Sooners, 83-63. Osby finished with 14 points and six rebounds. Oklahoma advanced to the 76 Classic championship game after defeating Washington State and Santa Clara.

see ACTIVIST paGe 2

© 2011 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25 cents www.OUDaily.com www.facebook.com/OUDaily www.twitter.com/OUDaily

News ..........................

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

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

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

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

Unethical acts must not be kept in dark

OU to face Tulsa in first round of NCAA tourney

Students, staff have right to know about professor’s actions. (Page 4)

oPiNioN

INSIDE 2 5 3 4 6

Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season when everyone gathers to enjoy food, laughs and a couple of arguments with loved ones. But some students were stuck on campus this year.

That’s when Faculty-InResidence Logan Whalen and his family stepped in.

With the help of OU’s Housing and Food Services, the Whalen family hosted a Thanksgiving meal for all the resident advisers and students staying on campus for the holiday.

The modern languages and literature professor and his wife, Sandra, serve as the FIR family in Adams Center. This is the Whalen’s second year in the post.

Every year, one of OU’s FIRs takes on the task of putting tog ether a Thanksgiving luncheon for those who stay at OU during the break.

“Those residents and RAs that aren’t able to make it home, they are able to have a meal that is available and enjoy with those that are here as well,” Whalen said.

At noon Thanksgiving see HOLIDAY paGe 2

oPiNioN VOL. 97, NO. 69

Pupils feast for a day Professor hosts Thanksgiving meal for students

CHASE COOK

OU’s fall 2010 activistin-residence said Egyptian police sexually assaulted, beat and blindfolded her after she was detained Thursday near Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

Mona Eltahawy was brought to OU’s campus last fall as part of the Center for Social J u s t i c e ’s Activisti n Residence program.

She facilitated MoNA workshops EltAhAWy a n d d i s cussions on women’s rights, social networking and a better understanding of Islam during her stay.

Eltahawy said the detainment left her with a broken left arm and right hand.

“They hit me with their sticks on the arms and head. They sexually assaulted me, groping my breasts and putting their hands between my legs,” she said. “For a moment I said, ‘This is it. No one is around. I am finished.’”

Eltahawy said she struggled and shouted as her

hoUsiNG & Food

Not all religions celebrate christmas Consider one’s beliefs when giving holiday greetings. (Page 4)

liFE & ARts

sPoRts

Bands can apply for Norman Music Fest

Women’s hoops splits holiday tournament

Annual festival must fill 130 spots for spring event. (Page 3)

OU beats Liberty, but loses to Vanderbilt during the weekend. (Page 6)

astrud reed/tHe daiLy

Junior defensive specialist María Fernanda bumps the ball during the OU-Texas Tech match Wednesday. OU tips off against Tulsa in the NCAA volleyball tournament Friday in Los Angeles. (Page 6)

The Daily’s open record requests Requested document and purpose

Date requested

All invoices related to professor chad Kerksick’s creatine nitrate study — These documents were requested to determine how much money was being used on Kerksick’s study.

Nov. 11

Professor chad Kerksick’s contract — This was requested to determine Kerksick’s annual salary, including any benefits.

Nov. 11

All emails produced by or submitted to the Advisory committee on tobacco Policy’s email — These emails were requested to better understand how this email address is being used by the community and the committee.

Nov. 15

documents related to the use of student fees

by Undergraduate student congress — These documents were requested to view how student fees have been used by Student Congress.

Nov. 19

2

• Monday, November 28, 2011

news

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

holiday: Sooners stuck on campus enjoy turkey Continued from page 1

An exhibit of students’ photos will be on display all day at the Fred Jones Jr. Art Center. The display is part of a cooperation with the F-Stop Society, a new student-art organization. An opening reception for the exhibit will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5. The exhibit will be on display until Dec. 9.

Mid-day music with student musician Stephen Pittman will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s food court.

Tuesday, Nov. 29 An event for young artists will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s Dee Dee and Jon R. Stuart Classroom.

The event will feature the children’s book “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” by Philip C. Stead.

Children ages 3 to 5 must be accompanied by an adult.

A Bible study by the Christians on Campus will take place from noon to 12:45 p.m. at Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Sooner Room. The event is free and open to the public.

A gallery talk, titled “No Heaven Awaits Us: Contemporary Chinese Photography and Video,” will be given by School of Art and Art History instructor Alan Atkinson from 2 to 2:30 p.m. at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s Photography Gallery.

A Christmas concert performed by multiple OU musical groups will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Goddard Health Center. A tree lighting ceremony also will take place at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for non-members.

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.

photo PROVIDED

Students who could not go home for Thanksgiving break get a traditional Thanksgiving meal Thursday in Adams Center from the Adams Faculty-in-Residence family.

and still be away from home.

“It was a fun and great m ea l a n d a f te r n o o n . It was like a piece of home

— traditional Thanksgiving meal, the people, and even the football game,” Bowman said. “It helped me to not

miss home as much because I was by friends, good food and a caring staff and FIR family.”

Activist: Blogger keeps spirits high despite abuse Continued from page 1 attackers dragged her by her hair from the street to the Interior Ministry.

Eltahawy, 44, lives in New York and is a prominent women’s rights defender, a lecturer on the role of social media in the Arab world and a former Reuters journalist.

Eltahawy describes herself as a liberal Muslim who has spoken publicly in the U.S. and other countries against violent Islamic groups, particularly since Sept. 11.

Shayna Daitch, international security studies senior, attended Eltahawy’s workshops and has read her tweets and blogs. Daitch said she didn’t get any sleep after reading about the attack. “[Eltahawy] is one of the strongest and courageous women I have met in my life,” Daitch said. “Her story is really inspiring.”

Eltahawy tweeted about her attack, and Daitch said she followed the whole event. If it weren’t for her status as a blogger and social

network user, Eltahawy’s situation may have been worse, Daitch said.

E l t a h a w y ’s t w e e t s prompted a response from her followers that created the hashtag #FreeMona.

The response from her followers and her status as an American citizen helped get her released, Daitch said.

“People contacted the embassy in Cairo,” Daitch said.

Eltahawy’s attack occurred after arriving in Egypt Wednesday evening.

Eltahawy said she was standing with a group of protesters in Tahrir Square

snapping photos of the c l a s h e s a n d t h e c ro w d ducked when shots were fired. The group fled, but she was cornered by a half a dozen security officers.

She was held initially by uniformed regular riot police, who she said sexually abused and beat her.

Eltahawy said the police kept her in an office for hours before they took her to the military intelligence in a military van. The military police offered an apology and an investigation after they recorded her testimony.

The Committee to

Real assignments.

Unreal opportunities.

Protect Journalists called on Egyptian authorities to investigate the arrest and beating of Eltahawy.

The group said it documented 17 attacks on journalists on Sunday and Monday, at the height of the clashes near the square.

“What I experienced is just the tip of the iceberg of the brutality Egyptians experience everyday,” she said. “This is just the type of brutality that our revolution came about to fight.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

����������������������������� opportunities at every turn.

You might perform internal ���������������������������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������������� Visit ey.com/us/possibilities to learn more.

See More | Possibilities

© 2011 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved.

Today around campus

day, it was all hands on deck as about 51 students and resident advisers gathered with Whalen and his family to enjoy a delicious spread, with all the Thanksgiving tr immings provided by Housing and Food Services.

The menu included s m o k e d t u r k e y , g r av y , mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dressing, cranberr y relish, salad, rolls, iced tea, pecan pie and pumpkin pie.

Whalen met with Housing and Food directors early Thanksgiving morning to begin preparing food.

“They did a wonderful job,” Whalen said.

Students said they had a great time.

Kelsey Bowman, environmental sustainability sophomore and Adams Center resident adviser, was able to enjoy the holiday festivities

Monday, November 28, 2011 •

Life&arts

3

OUDaily.com ›› Read The Daily’s firsthand account of this year’s Black Friday shopping madness.

Was mom

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

wrong?

Debunk these common myths

W

hat if I told you that your mom was wrong?

That some of the things she religiously ingrained in you for your benefit, was not at all beneficial?

Leave the bed unmade

Your mom probably told you that it’s a good habit to always make your bed in the morning, especially when there are house guests.

Making your bed will impress guests, but not the friendly ones.

These guests thrive in a made bed’s heated and humid environment, and eat away at your dead skin

Life & Arts Columnist

dehydrating the dust mites and ultimately killing them, researcher Stephen Pretlove told BBC News.

“Stretching” the truth

Those 15 minutes spent stretching before a workout Brooke Buckmaster in order to prevent injury is brooke.n.buckmaster-1@ou.edu no longer necessary.

Studies have shown that cells while you are sound static stretching, consisting asleep, according to the of stretching while stayBBC News.

Yes, I am referring to dust ing in one place (such as touching your toes), does mites. not help prevent injury.

Researchers estimate Instead, before taking that there are on avera jog or playing a game of age 1.5 million dust mites soccer, practice stretches calling your bed home. that get the whole body Leaving an unmade bed moving, such as high knees allows moisture from the or lunges. sheets to disappear, thus

Photo illustration by melodie lettkeman/the daily

Parke Metzer, University College freshman, steps into a hot shower. This act, as moms like to warn their children, could result in dryer skin because it melts away the oils of the protective epidermis layer.

More than just a hot shower

outermost part of your skin, which provides a protective layer against the environAlthough a hot shower ment and helps keep in after a long morning jog moisture. might seem more than The hot water can melt ideal, next time, think again.

The heat from a hot shower away the oils of the epidermis when soaking under it affects the epidermis, the

for too long, thus leading to dry, itchy skin, according to an article found on Discovery Fit and Health’s website.

Brooke Buckmaster is a University College freshman.

column

Snatch up the best online deals for your Cyber Monday

A

fter Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, holiday shoppers get a Sunday of rest, but shopping continues with Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday, the Monday following Thanksgiving, is a time of shopping without even leaving your home.

Hoping to draw customers without the hassle, online retailers have united to create one giant online sale.

With many discounts and free shipping, holiday shopping has become as easy as a few clicks of the mouse.

While I lucked out with a mellow Black Friday experience this year, Cyber Monday is becoming more alluring.

Life & Arts Columnist

AT A GLANCE Get the deals www.retailmenot.com

Find coupon codes

I’m a couponer, online and offline. Rarely do I make a purchase online without a coupon code.

Plan ahead­­ The best site I have found is Retailmenot.com, which Like all shopping experiallows you to search for the ences, you should go into online store and tells you this one with a plan. Check the reliability of the coupon your loved ones’ Christmas code you are using. lists and see if anything is See the store’s policy on store specific. Then, Google coupon codes — you may what kind of sales they will be having for Cyber Monday. just luck out and be able to use multiple codes in one The result? Happy gift recipients for all and a happier transaction to save you the most money. you.

Caitlin Ruemping cruemping@ou.edu

entertainment brief nmf ’12

Norman Music Festival apps now available online

n dow e sid up

the effect you can to see

hav e

on

p

eo

Turn t

ives. ’s l ple

his ad

Open call for bands to apply to perform in the fifth annual Norman Music Festival has begun.

The announcement was made via the spring music festival’s Twitter account.

The online application is currently open as of 5 p.m.

The fifth annual festival will be held April 26 through 28 in downtown Norman, according to a Tulsa World report earlier this month.

Check OUDaily.com for For more informalinks to apply online for t i o n, bands and musiNorman Music Festival 5. cians can contact Norman Music Festival through the Norman Arts Council at 405-360-1162 or by email at Sunday.

The festival will try to fill nmfpr@normanarts.org. its 130 spots for local musicians and bands through the Katherine Borgerding, online application process.

Life & Arts Editor

AT A GLANCE Apply online

The SMU Master of Science in Counseling Pursue a career that’s about helping others. The Master of Science in Counseling from SMU prepares individuals to become Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Counselors and School Counselors. Students develop basic therapy skills in the classroom, then apply them with hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art, on-site family counseling clinic. New terms begin every 10 weeks and offer the flexibility of day, evening or weekend classes.

Held at SMU’s Plano Campus. Call 214-768-9009 or visit smu.edu/mastercounseling.

Southern Methodist University will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status.

SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Resist the urge to buy unnecessarily

good deal; they will be gone.

Instead, try to hit the online stores as early in the day as possible. This, along with planning your purchases, will yield the best results.

I also am a shopping addict.

If anything is a good deal, I find myself slowly handing over all my meager paycheck Relax to Big Business.

I cannot tell you how So learn from my mistakes and don’t overbuy, and don’t stressed out I have gotten buy anything that no one on while shopping online. The your gift list will want or use. littlest things, like a coupon code not working, or Do it early the item I want being out Don’t wait until 11:54 p.m. of stock, can really harsh my mellow. Relax. It’s OK. on Cyber Monday to get a

Remember, you are shopping for someone you love, so enjoy the opportunity to show them how much they mean to you. Sales come and go, but your gratitude toward them won’t fade.

As you sit at your computer, remember these tips to survive your first Cyber Monday.

Don’t forget the slippers and hot cocoa!

Caitlin Ruemping is a University College freshman.

4

Comment of the day on OUDaily.com ››

• Monday, November 28, 2011

OPINION

“The proposed legislation would dramatically affect small online businesses and groups who lack the capacity to engage in expensive legal battles.” (mfrancis1, Re: EDITORIAL: SOPA Act harms Internet freedoms)

EDITORIAL

Don’t let professor off easy Our View: OU must end its silence on the professor who admitted to experimenting on students.

of these charges and the danger posed to students.

This man admitted to sticking large biopsy needles into the flesh of his students, without proper sanitaChad Kerksick, the OU professor accused of violat- tion, training or consent. His students have claimed ing protocols while experimenting on students, was that these procedures caused bruises, pain and given $75,000 and a year of leave to find a job as part other difficulties. of his settlement, according to documents obtained The administration must confirm these charges

by The Daily. The administration has said and explain how such an egregious violanothing about these disturbing events. tion could happen. And it must defend the The Our View This man violated research ethics and the generous settlement package offered to is the majority responsibilities of his position, persuading such an unethical and dangerous man. opinion of colleagues and students to undergo potenAside from offering nearly one and a half The Daily’s tially dangerous biopsy procedures. times Kerksick’s $53,024 annual salary, the 10-member He experimented on participants who did administration also will allow him to repreeditorial board not meet standards ensuring they were safe sent himself as an employee of OU for a year to participate, in unsafe conditions and with while he searches for other employment. procedures he wasn’t qualified to perform, accord- This arrangement makes it much more likely that ing to an Institutional Review Board document.

Kerksick will be hired by another university — anGiven the seriousness of these charges, it is unac- other university that easily could have no idea why ceptable that the university has not officially comKerksick resigned. mented on these allegations. Now, the administraBetween the administration’s silence and this tion has gone even further, offering an outrageously clause of the settlement, OU is blithely and actively generous settlement package, still without a word of allowing Kerksick to seek a new teaching and reexplanation to the Sooner community. search position in which he could repeat the same Students have a right to know that a faculty mem- dangerous behavior. ber has been accused of dangerous activity. Fellow Other universities have a right to know who they faculty members have a right to know why their may be hiring. His future students have a right to colleague received one and a half times his annual know of what he has been accused. Just as Kerksick salary and a whole year to quietly find other employ- has a right to publicly answer these accusations — ment. Students, faculty and donors have a right to many of which he admitted to in the review board know whose money funded this settlement. document.

If The Daily had not reported these accusations, The university’s silence in this matter is helping no the only public information would have been a short one, except the man accused of putting his students note in the OU Board of Regents’ minutes indicatin danger. ing the approval of a leave of absence for Kerksick.

“Leave of absence” hardly indicates the seriousness Comment on this at OUDaily.com

COLUMN

Don’t make false sexism claims

L

OPINION COLUMNIST ast week, Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann accused NBC of sexism. The accusation came after the “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” show’s band played the song “Lyin’ Ass Bitch” when Bachmann apKate McPherson peared as a guest. kmcpherson@ou.edu The song was definitely tacky, and it was certainly inappropriate.

But it wasn’t sexist — at least, not in the way Bachmann seems to think.

Merriam-Webster defines sexism as “prejudice or discrimination based on sex, especially discrimination against women.” In this way, it could be argued that a song referring to a woman as a “bitch” is sexist, but that’s not how Bachmann seemed to take it.

“If that song had been played for Michelle Obama, I have no doubt that NBC would’ve apologized to her and likely they could’ve fired the drummer or at least suspended him,” Bachmann raged to Fox News.

What Bachmann describes is not sexism. It is discrimination against Republicans, or perhaps an insult directed toward Bachmann alone. While Bachmann has a right to be insulted and peeved about the band’s rude song choice, she should not refer to the move as sexist. Calling this choice sexist is an insult to those affected by systemic discrimination.

Real sexism is very present in our society. It’s present in advertisers’ representations of women and in the pay gap between men and women.

It’s on blogs such as the popular The Spearhead which

includes lines such as “[The woman now can] repel the kind of man most likely to give her the life she wants, because no matter what she does to the outside of her body, she will eventually want what women have always wanted on the inside — stability, security and comfort.”

It’s on Twitter trending topics and a part of Facebook statuses masquerading as jokes.

It’s in our schools, as evidenced by the Hurt Feelings Report of Pat Lynch, a Wyoming high school guidance counselor and football coach. Clearly concerned about the bullying epidemic spreading across the country, Lynch handed out a survey to his football players, asking them to check boxes if they “have woman-like hormones” and to list the name of the “Real Man” who hurt their feelings, as well as have a signature from a witness “Girly Man.” Players can request “diapers, midol [sic] and a ‘blanky’” to make everything better.

The survey, a clear representation of sexism, got Lynch fired from his coaching job. He is still the school’s guidance counselor. No word on how Lynch treats the female students he sees, but I have to say that if I had emotional problems, I’d probably find a different counselor.

Sexism is alive and well in America, which is why it’s disappointing Bachmann chose to say she was a victim of sexism. I’m sure she is sometimes, but in this instance, she was mocked because she is Michele Bachmann — not because she’s a woman.

We must be careful how and why we choose to accuse others of sexism. Unfortunately, there are just as many instances of sexism in America as there are false accusations of sexism.

In order to let those true victims be heard, Bachmann and other celebrities must take care not to abuse the word sexist.

Kate McPherson is a journalism sophomore.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Pipeline expansion facts are deceiving Editor’s note: This letter is in response to “Obama delays oil pipe project,” an article published Nov. 16 about a proposed pipeline that would carry oil from Canada to Texas.

I was discouraged to read all the information cited on Keystone XL came directly from TransCanada, the company that is funding this project.

The Cornell University Global Labor Institute released a report analyzing claims made by TransCanada. The company hired The Perryman Group, an economic analysis firm, to conduct the economic impact assessment of the project, and Cornell uncovered clouded research techniques resulting

Chris Lusk Chase Cook Annelise Russell James Corley Katherine Borgerding

contact us

in inaccurate numbers.

In a report that stated Keystone XL will “create about 20,000 construction and manufacturing jobs” stemming directly from a $7 billion stimulus, Perryman failed to define the project they were analyzing. Perryman includes in this figure a section of pipe that has already been built, and a section of pipe that will be laid in Canada.

Also, nearly $2 billion has already been spent. The result is that the $7 billion stimulus drops to $3 billion to $4 billion.

The Midwest has access to these Canadian tar sands deposits. With Keystone XL, these resources will flow

Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Life & Arts Editor

Kingsley Burns Mary Stanfield Lindsey Ruta Chris Miller Judy Gibbs Robinson

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

phone:

405-325-3666

south into Texas, resulting in a $2 billion to $4 billion annual increase in oil costs in the Midwest, TransCanada estimates. With these numbers, it would take as little as one year before the economic boon is canceled out.

With nothing to gain and money to lose, why would anyone support a risky endeavor over the Ogallala Aquifer, jeopardizing the most crucial water source in the high plains?

TransCanada has used misleading facts and figures. Unfortunately, this article did nothing but put these figures back into circulation.

Jarrett Langford, English junior

Photo Editor Opinion Editor Multimedia Editor Online Editor Editorial Adviser

email:

dailynews@ou.edu

?

Mary Stanfield, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

» Poll question of the day Should OU have offered Chad Kerksick a settlement agreement?

To cast your vote, visit COLUMN

Holidays not universal for all religions

A

s the season is OPINION COLUMNIST getting colder, I feel the urge to say those two little words that get so many people in an uproar at this time of year.

Happy Holidays.

There, I said it. If you Tom Taylor don’t like it, get over it. tomtaylor.home@gmail.com It amazes me that people can be so offended that I choose to say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

While it is true that the super-majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, it is also true that many Americans don’t. This is a lesson I learned when I was 6 years old and wondering why one set of my grandparents never gave me a Christmas gift. After having it explained to me what a Jehovah’s Witness was, I forgave them for whatever slight it was my 6-year-old mind thought was done to me.

So I don’t wish people Merry Christmas. Just as I had no way of knowing at the time what religion my grandparents were, I have no way of knowing that the person I am speaking to actually celebrates Christmas.

I could always play the odds and assume someone puts up a Christmas tree and sings yuletide carols, but it just seems insulting when people assume things about me, and I would never wish to commit the same mistake.

The fact is that people celebrate a variety of holidays during this season, and I do not have enough time to wish people “Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Advent, Solstice, Chalica, Festivus, New Years and any “It is ridiculous to other holidays that I may get bent out of shape have forgotten.” because someone That is why I tell people, “Happy Holidays.” uses inclusive Now I can understand language instead why some people are ofof singling out your fended when people change name of something from particular holiday for the “Christmas” to “Holiday.” To a shout-out.” be honest, the term “holiday tree” sounds as stupid to me as the ancient pagans probably thought the term “Christmas tree” sounded when early Christians borrowed the pagan tradition of putting a tree in their homes.

Still, it is ridiculous to get bent out of shape because someone uses inclusive language instead of singling out your particular holiday for a shout-out.

The phrase “Happy Holidays” is not an atheist conspiracy to kill Jesus. I would wager that when Bing Crosby sang the song “Happy Holiday” in 1942, he did not do so with the intention of creating an anthem for Jesus-haters.

Here is something to consider: In my life, I have known hundreds of atheists and agnostics, and I can’t think of a single one who did not celebrate Christmas. I’m not saying all atheists and agnostics celebrate Christmas, but I am willing to bet more do than don’t.

In our over-commercialized society, this holiday has lost its overall religious message. There are Christians who celebrate it as a religious holiday akin to Easter, but there are also many who treat it more as a family holiday like Thanksgiving. For atheists and agnostics, it is easy to just follow the family holiday route.

Perhaps it is this dichotomous view of Christmas that has so many Christians in an uproar. The problem is that the issue has less to do with atheists and agnostics than it does with the state of lapsed Christianity. I believe that the energy being used to get offended at well-meaning phrases would be better used to encourage adherents to come back to the flock.

As the season is upon us and we focus on our finals and our shopping lists, we must remember that now is the time for us to work at coexisting.

With that said, I wish each of you a happy holiday.

Tom Taylor is a political science graduate student.

Do you have thoughts and views about issues affecting the university community?

The Daily is searching for opinion columnists.

Email dailyopinion@ou.edu to apply.

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum, the University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice and an entirely student-run publication.

Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are their own and not necessarily the views or opinions of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board.

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and must be fewer than 250 words, typed and signed by the author(s). Letters will be edited for accuracy, space and style.

Students must list their major and classification.

To submit letters, email dailyopinion@ou.edu.

Letters also can be submitted in person Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

Our View is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board, which consists of nine members of the editorial staff. The board meets at 5 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

Board meetings are open to the public.

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

One free copy of The Daily is available to members of the University of Oklahoma community. Because of production costs, additional copies may be purchased for 25 cents by contacting The Daily business office.

Monday, November 28, 2011 •

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

Fax: 405-325-7517 Campus Address: COH 149A

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

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

PAYMENT s r r

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

J Housing Rentals

For Sale

PLACE AN AD

TICKETS WANTED

I NEED OU / OSU TICKETS! TOP $$$ PAID! 364-7524 C Transportation

Auto Insurance

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

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

Training available. 800-965-6520, x133 STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

FAST LANES! Great pay, advancement opportunities & flexible hours. Now hiring all positions. Must be available weekends.

Apply @ 1235 W Main St DSG Associates, Inc. is looking for 18-29 year olds to participate in a paid online research study. A+ rating with BBB and member of MSPA. Sign up online at www. dsgai.com or call 800-462-8765. Free to sign up.

$5,000-$7,000 PAID EGG DONORS up to 6 donations,

AUTO INSURANCE

TM

5

Quotations Anytime

Foreign Students Welcomed JIM HOLMES INSURANCE, 321-4664

+ Exps, non-smokers, Ages 18-29, SAT>1100/ACT>24/GPA>3.00 Contact: info@eggdonorcenter.com

A JOB APTS.FIND UNFURNISHED

in the Hunters Run 2 Bed T/H CLASSIFIEDS $99 Dep/ 1/2 off 1st mo/ free fit*

RATES

Restrictions apply* $815/mo/Appr. 1400sqft, 2 Car Gar.

Line Ad

APTS. UNFURNISHED Hunters Run 2 Bed T/H $99 Dep/ 1/2 off 1st mo/ free fit* Restrictions apply* $815/mo/Appr. 1400sqft, 2 Car Gar. Small Fenced Yd, Full size W/D Elite Properties 360-6624 www.elite2900.com $99 DEPOSIT! / 1/2 OFF 1ST MONTH* Immed. Move-Ins / 6 Mo. Free Gym 2 Beds starting at $525.00* Pets Welcome! Large Floor Plans!

Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

360-6624 or www.elite2900.com

CONDOS UNFURNISHED THE EDGE! 2bd condo available immediately! $400/room - (812) 327-5115

HOUSES UNFURNISHED 1518 Sunset Dr, 3 bd/1 bth/1 car, centrally located, quite, CH/A, large back yard, wood floors, ceiling fans. Available Dec 1, $775/mo. Call (580) 763-4278.

Sell Your Car in the CLASSIFIEDS

J Housing Rentals ROOMS FURNISHED NEAR OU, privacy, $250, bills paid includes cable, neat, clean, parking. New paint, carpet. Prefer male student. Call 405-410-4407.

J

Housing Sales

CONDOS Westside, 3003 River Oaks Dr, #159, 2/2, 5/2, 1330 sq ft, $125K. (405) 642-9154, zillow.com

Being

NUMBER ONE is nothing to celebrate.

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

(Cost = Days x # lines x $/line) 10-14 days.........$1.15/line 15-19 days.........$1.00/line 20-29 days........$ .90/line 30+ days ........ $ .85/line

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

Classified Display, Classified Card Ad or Game Sponsorship

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

2 col (3.25 in) x 2.25 inches

climate control It’s simple. Heat and cool your home smartly with ENERGY STARŽ to reduce your home energy use and make a big difference in the fight against air pollution.

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

This year, more than

172,000 people will

be diagnosed with lung cancer, and more than

POLICY

163,000 will die—

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.

making it America’s

NUMBER ONE cancer killer.

But new treatments offer hope.

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.

Join Lung Cancer Alliance in the fight against this disease.

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.

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

YOUR HOME CAN CAUSE TWICE AS MANY GREENHOUSE GASES AS A CAR. Discover steps you can take to reduce air pollution from your home and car at energystar.gov.

lungcanceralliance.org

ENERGY STARÂŽ is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2011, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

November N b 28, 28 2011 201 In the year ahead, it might not be as important to have a large number of friends as it will be to have a few good, loyal ones. However, even if you intend to keep your friendship circle intimate, remain nice to everybody.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -Before launching any new projects, make sure you have finished to your satisfaction everything else on your drawing board. Trouble would ensue if endeavors overlap.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Your chances for achieving a critical objective are minimal at best, because once you attain it, you might not know how to keep it going. Proceed cautiously.

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.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Strive to control any impulsive inclinations you might have. If you’re undisciplined, it is highly likely that you will repeat some previous mistakes.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- If there is a lack of harmony regarding ultimate aims, joint ventures aren’t likely to work out too well for you. Before making any moves, make sure everyone is in accord.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Conditions are ripe for establishing a friendship with someone who up until now has always opposed you.

Don’t miss this opportunity, because you may never get another chance to do so.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Use your resources wisely, be they people or things, and you’ll be effective in your efforts to be successful. If you don’t, you can count on frequent failures.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Things could get a bit awkward for you when a friend unwittingly brings along someone whom you intensely dislike. It’s to your advantage not to do or say anything you’ll regret.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Be sure you have the approval of the entire clan if you’re contemplating making a change that would affect everybody. If you don’t, your efforts could meet with condemnation.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Don’t pretend to know what you’re doing if you are placed in a position where it’s up to you to approve or disapprove certain procedures. Don’t be afraid to seek experienced counsel.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Although your financial possibilities look good, your spending habits might negate anything extra you make. What you gain could totally dissipate before your eyes.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- When you’re free to operate as you choose, success is likely, but if you feel hampered, it could be another story. Be wary of getting yourself in involvements that impede your independence.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- There’s a chance that you could be inclined to talk about things that should be kept confidential. If misquoted and taken out of context, it could cause trouble.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker November 28, 2011

ACROSS 1 Feeling of foreboding 6 Small group of believers 10 “What ___ God wrought!�

14 Aborigine’s call 15 Farm implement 16 Suit to ___ 17 Draw a conclusion 18 Ticklish doll 19 General decoration 20 Tierra ___ Fuego 21 General principle 24 Brewer’s need 26 Nautical affirmative 27 Soviet premier Joseph 29 Scenery hung at the rear 34 Video arcade need 35 Blender setting 36 Ram’s mate 37 Albanyto-Buffalo canal 38 Defeated at chess 39 Ferber who wrote “So Big�

40 Quantity (Abbr.)

41 Ana or Barbara start 42 Lucy’s TV accomplice 43 Items on an

11/28

executive’s agenda 45 Crosses the threshold 46 “Thrilla in Manila� boxer 47 Idaho product, slangily 48 Ultimately ruinous thing 53 What you’ll see plenty of on Valentine’s Day 56 A wedding requires two of them 57 Fisherman’s slippery catches 58 Serving some purpose 60 Sly trick 61 “Get lost, kitty!�

62 Have a suspicion 63 Pagan god 64 Theater award 65 Itching to go DOWN 1 Etching liquid 2 ___ the worse for wear 3 “Leave me alone�

4 Set eyes on 5 Military map’s focus 6 European wheat 7 Fashion magazine 8 Barberturnedsinger Perry

9 Doubledealing 10 Discussed (with “over�)

11 Westernmost Aleutian 12 Coach’s charge 13 Rosemary, e.g.

22 Military branch (Abbr.)

23 Small child 25 Confederate General Robert ___ 27 Type of engine or bath 28 “The Velvet Fog� Mel 29 Smokers’ trash 30 Length times width 31 Misleading clue 32 Proprietor 33 Rings loudly 35 Sudden spasm

38 List of passengers 39 Diminutive suffix 41 Farm structure 42 Gush (over) 44 Cap adornment 45 “Put some meat on those bones!�

47 Flavorsome 48 Fuzzy fruit 49 “___ it!� (cry of accomplishment) 50 Go it alone 51 Art ___ (1920s movement) 52 Vigorous spirit 54 “Can I get you anything ___?�

55 Fast bucks?

59 Chinese export

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

11/27

Š 2011 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

A WAY WITH WORDS By Donald Stubin

6

• Monday, November 28, 2011

Tomorrow ››

SPORTS

With seven, football Big 12 Championships may be losing their luster for OU if they don’t come with a national title, The Daily’s Luke McConnell says.

volleyball

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

Women’s Basketball

Senior steps up for Oklahoma Sooners suffer

1st loss against Vanderbilt

Luke McConnell Sports Reporter

OU senior outside hitter Caitlin Higgins saved her best for last.

Playing in her final home match, Higgins turned in perhaps her best all-around performance this season Wednesday on Senior Night, racking up nine kills, eight digs and two block assists.

Oklahoma closed its 2011 home schedule with a 3-0 sweep of Texas Tech (-12, -19, 35-33) in its home finale.

Plagued by nagging injuries and inconsistency this season, Higgins put it all together on a very emotional night for her and the other four OU seniors. “I wanted to come in and help my team the best way I can,� Higgins said. “I want to leave McCasland on a high note. We’re getting down to the wire and put everything we have on the court.�

Setters Brianne Barker and Kylie Cowan, right side Suzy Boulavsky and middle blocker Carlee Roethlisberger were honored with Higgins after the match with roses, hugs and tears from teammates and coaches. “We’ve accomplished great things,� Higgins said. “Looking back, I’m very proud of the way we’ve impacted the program, each one of us contributing in different ways.�

OU coach Santiago Restrepo said the impact this group of seniors has had a huge impact on the OU program. “It has been tremendous,�

Restrepo said. “They continue putting this program on the map because they were very dedicated from the getgo. They have done a terrific job for our program. “They are going to be very hard to replace.�

OU controlled the tempo from the start, racing out to an 8-4 lead in the first set and forcing Texas Tech to call timeout. The Sooners continued to pour it on, hitting .600 during the set with four players gathering at least three kills as OU cruised, 25-12.

The only hitch for OU in the first set was the loss of

Pair earns all-tournament nod because of performances in Nashville tourney Kedric Kitchens Sports Reporter

Astrud Reed/The Daily

Senior outside hitter Caitlin Higgins (10) bumps the ball during Oklahoma’s regular-season home finale against Texas Tech on Wednesday. Higgins and four other seniors were honored for Senior Day.

PLAYER TO WATCH Caitlin Higgins Year: Senior Position: Outside hitter Hometown: Amarillo, Texas Game stats: Nine kills, .182 hitting percentage, eight digs, two block assists

outside hitter Tara Dunn to an ankle injury. Dunn left the match and did not return.

The Red Raiders kept the second set tight early, but OU extended the lead to 18-14, forcing Tech to call timeout.

The Red Raiders drew within one at 18-17, but the Sooners turned up the intensity, finishing with a 7-2 run

to take the set, 25-19.

Sophomore middle blocker Sallie McLaurin and Boulavsky had four kills each in the set with zero attack errors as the Sooners hit .405 during the set.

OU had success in the middle all night, getting a combined 23 kills from McLaurin and Roethlisberger.

McLaurin said passing was a huge key for the offense to be efficient all night. “The passing was really good,� McLaurin said. “If we have a lot of balls getting kills in the middle, then the outsides will have an easier time.

Everyone will contribute and play well.�

The Sooners maintained a lead through the early part of the third set, but Texas Tech battled back, tying the score and eventually taking the lead at 14-13. The Red Raiders built the lead

to 18-15 before the Sooners began to chip away, eventually coming to match point at 24-23.

Then the action really started as the Sooners and Red Raiders battled back and forth for an incredible 24 ties and six lead changes. OU finally was able to capitalize on two Texas Tech errors to win the set, 35-33.

With her career almost over, Higgins said the legacy her class will leave for the program to follow is much more important than the legacy she will leave behind as an individual player. “We wanted to show we can beat top-ranked teams, we can compete with the best of them,� Higgins said. “We just wanted to come in and show fight and show heart to the underclassmen, to the entire program. “I think we did that.�

Two Sooners were named to the all-tournament team as the OU women’s basketball team dropped its first game of the season, taking second place at the Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament in Nashville, Tenn.

The Sooners shot fairly well, making 43.6 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from 3-point range, but OU struggled at the charity stripe, shooting 10-20 — its lowest since January 2009.

OU was outplayed by the undefeated Commodores.

Vanderbilt sophomore guards Jasmine Lister and Christina Foggie combined for 45 points in the game.

Foggie made 28 first-half points, hitting four 3s in the first 11 minutes, to give Vanderbilt an early lead.

Vanderbilt netted 10 steals and forced 24 Sooner turnovers total.

But the performances of OU sophomore guards Morgan Hook and Aaryn Ellenberg in two games earned them spots on the all-tournament team.

In OU’s first game, the Sooners trounced the Liberty Flames, 76-45. OU received a big boost from its starting back court in the contest.

Hook and Ellenberg scored 22 points each, leaving the duo just one point short of Liberty’s final total.

Freshman guard Sharane Campbell added a careerhigh 13.

No other Sooner was in double figures, and captain Whitney Hand shot just 2-of-7, contributing six points.

Freshman forward Kaylon Williams made her regular season debut after sitting out the final exhibition game and the first two games of the season with a concussion.

Williams struggled in her first outing, going 0-of-5 from the field. She did help out defensively, however, netting three steals and a block.

Hook and Ellenberg continued to play well in the championship game against host team Vanderbilt.

The pair of guards scored 16 and 22 points, respectively, along with a combined eight rebounds, two assists and one steal.

The Sooners return home for a tough matchup with the No. 18 Ohio State Buckeyes at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lloyd Noble Center.

AT A GLANCE Sooners lose to Longhorns in Saturday’s regular-season finale The OU volleyball team’s regular-season finale against Texas on Saturday went according to the script of their entire season: promising start, disappointing finish.

The Sooners jumped out to a 1-0 lead against the No. 5 Longhorns by winning the first set, 25-21.

But after that, it was all Texas as the Longhorns clinched the Big 12 title by downing OU, 3-1 (-21, 16-25, 21-25, 19-25).

Senior outside hitter Caitlin Higgins continued her stellar play by leading OU with 13 kills and 13 digs for her third doubledouble of the year.

True Sooners Don’t Haze.

Report Hazing.

325-5000 All calls are anonymous.

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Senior right side Suzy Boulavsky and sophomore middle blocker Sallie McLaurin had 10 kills each for OU. Senior setter Brianne Barker recorded her 21st doubledouble of the season with 41 assists and 10 digs.

Texas was led by Bailey Webster, who had a match-high 16 kills.

The Longhorns out-blocked the Sooners, 11-7. The Sooners had six blocking errors and seven return errors.

The Sooners rallied from a 18-15 deficit in the first set to take the lead 23-20 and held on to take the first set, 25-21.

help is just a phone call away

9

number

crisis line

325-6963 (NYNE)

OU Number Nyne Crisis Line

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

except OU holidays and breaks

Best Mexican Food

Tasty lite menu Monday is OU Day 50% off with OU ID! 1000 East Alameda

OU carried the momentum into the second set and led, 14-13. However, Texas went on a 12-2 run to take the set, 25-16, and tie the match, 1-1.

Oklahoma came out clicking on all cylinders and held a 12-4 lead in the third set.

However, Texas went on an 11-2 run to take the lead, 15-14, and fought off all Sooner rally attempts to win the set, 25-21.

Texas cruised through the fourth set, nearly leading from start to finish to down the Sooners, 25-19.

With a win and an outright Big 12 title, Texas earned an automatic berth in the NCAA

579-1221

tournament.

The Sooners begin their NCAA tournament run in the Los Angeles regional, where they will face Tulsa in the first round at 7 p.m. Friday. If OU wins, it would face the winner of a USC-Yale matchup at 9 p.m. Saturday.

The Sooners defeated the Golden Hurricane in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season, propelling them to their third Sweet 16 appearance in program history. OU lost in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament in the Los Angeles regional to USC. Luke McConnell, Sports Reporter

HIGHLIGHTING OR COLOR 8*5) )"*3$65 t 8&"7& 03 '0*- "%%

)"*3$65 t Non-Requested Stylist Only

Manicure $11.99

20% discount with OU ID or this coupon!

The Works $16.99 Shampoo/ Cut/Blowdry $6 Bang Trim

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

Mark Humphrey/The associated Press

Oklahoma guard Whitney Hand (25) drives ahead of Liberty forward Avery Warley (23) in the first half of OU’s 76-45 win against the Flames on Friday in Nashville, Tenn.

SPORTS Oklahoma

26

Monday, November 28, 2011 •

Iowa State

6

Weathered the storm AT A GLANCE Sooner game notebook Shooting blanks in third quarter For the first time this season, both the Sooners and their opponent failed to reach the end zone or connect through the goal posts in the third quarter.

The Oklahoma and Iowa State offenses stalled just after halftime during OU’s 26-3 win Saturday in Norman.

OU failed to score in the third quarter against Florida State on Sept. 17 in Tallahassee, Fla., but the Seminoles connected on a field goal.

Trio eclipses 80 rushing yards

MATT GRIFFIN/THE DAILY

Sooner defenders surround Iowa State redshirt freshman wide receiver Jarvis West during Oklahoma’s 26-6 win against the Cyclones on Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. OU held ISU to six points, which came after a high snap gave the Cyclones the ball at OU’s 22-yard line.

Seniors play final home contest Players competed for the last time on Owen Field

MORE ONLINE Visit OUDaily.com to read more about the Sooners’ 26-6 win against Iowa State in their home finale.

GREG FEWELL

Assistant Sports Editor

Powering through the whirlwind Despite the strong winds swirling around in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, junior Tress Way was able to punt effectively against the Cyclones.

Way punted three times with an average of 48 yards per kick — more than 12 yards further than Iowa State punter Kirby Van Der Kamp — and downed two inside the 20 with only one touchback.

James Corley, Sports Editor

✄

S o o n e r f o o t b a l l’s s e niors played their last game at Oklahoma Memor ial Stadium on Saturday — a 26-6 win against Iowa State.

Senior tight end Trent Ratterree said he probably looked like a lost puppy wandering around before and after the game.

“I was trying to take in everything and store it away in my memory,” Ratterree said.

Sixteen seniors — including Austin Box, who died in May — were honored before kickoff Saturday.

While the Sooners played Saturday’s game without the program’s most prolific senior — All-American wide receiver Ryan Broyles — the rest of the group stepped up to make the most out of their last home game.

Though it got called back because of a holding penalty, senior linebacker Travis Lewis took an interception all the way to the house.

S enior defensive end Frank Alexander had another strong performance, finishing with six tackles and a batted pass.

Defensive backs Jamell Fleming and Sam Proctor added five and three tackles, respectively.

Offensively, Dejuan Miller stepped up in a big way in Broyles’ absence. The senior led all receivers with seven receptions for 86 yards.

Tight ends James Hanna and Ratterree combined for four catches.

The team — and the defense in particular — came up huge for its seniors in their last game at home, allowing only six points off 245 total yards in stark contrast to the shredding it endured against Baylor on Nov. 19 in Waco.

“Offense and defense steppe d up and playe d

Three Sooners gained 80 rushing yards or more against the Cyclones, helping Oklahoma amass 253 total rushing yards — the highest total since OU’s 325-yard performance against Iowa State last year in Norman.

Sophomore wide receiver Trey Franks led the Sooners’ ground attack with 88 yards from a pair of rushes. The coaches called a pair of reverse plays for the speedy receiver, who gained 43 and 45 yards, respectively.

Sophomore running back Roy Finch bounced through the Cyclone defense for 83 yards from 15 attempts. Finch has carried the most load of the rushing touches since the Sooners lost junior Dominique Whaley to a season-ending ankle injury against Kansas State.

True freshman running back Brandon Williams saw the first significant playing time of his OU career, totalling 80 yards from 11 touches.

cut along the dotted line

sooner

��a�����

MATT GRIFFIN/THE DAILY

Senior linebacker Travis Lewis (28) intercepts a pass tipped by sophomore linebacker Tom Wort (21) during OU’s 26-6 win against the Cyclones on Senior Day.

AT A GLANCE Sooner seniors OFFENSE WR Ryan Broyles WR Dejuan Miller WR Ryan Caro TE James Hanna TE Trent Ratterree OL Stephen Good OL Jarvis Jones OL Donald Stephenson

g o o d ,” A l e x a n d e r s a i d .

“We complemented each other in certain areas of the game. Iowa State, they’re a good team, too. They just went down and proved to Oklahoma State that they are good. So, I’m not taking away from them. We just had a better game this week.”

The seniors finished their careers at home on a positive note. However, the group has their sights set on bigger goals.

Miller may have more on

DEFENSE DE Frank Alexander LB Travis Lewis DB Sam Proctor DB Jamell Fleming DB Jesse Bell SPECIAL TEAMS DS James Winchester K Jimmy Stevens

his shoulders than any senior on the team because the void left by Broyles needs to be filled.

He proved he can help fill that void Saturday; now, he hopes he can help his team win a Big 12 title.

“It’s for a trip to a BCS Bowl,” Miller said. “OSU is playing for their first BCS appearance ever in their school’s history. So, this is definitely a huge game. This would definitely be a great way to go out as a senior.”

5

perfect for the holidays

$

off

coupon

how to redeem:

1. Order your book between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2.

2. Mention the coupon when you call (405-325-3668), order online (www.studentmedia. ou.edu) or in person (124 Copeland Hall).

Sooner yearbook is a publication of OU Student Media, a department in the division of Student Affairs. The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

When ordering online, list "$5 off coupon" in comments/special instructions field.

7

8

• Monday, November 28, 2011

Advertisement

OU STUDENTS YOU ARE INVITED! A Discussion of The Meaning of “The Arab Spring” with Bruce Rutherford International Political Analyst and Author Rutherford is the author of the 2008 book, Egypt After Mubarak: Liberalism, Islam, and Democracy in the Arab World, which examines Egypt’s future path at the passing of the country’s aging president, Husni Mubarak. Described by Fareed Zakaria in Time magazine as a “fascinating and timely book” in which the author “details the long and persistent struggle of the judiciary to carve out an independent voice for itself, even under a military dictatorship,” the book has been quoted widely in the media. In his book, he examines the political and ideological battles that are driving Egyptian politics, concluding that both secular and Islamist opponents of the regime are navigating a middle path that may result in a uniquely Islamic form of liberalism, perhaps even democracy. A Yale graduate, Rutherford teaches at Colgate, where he serves as director of the Program in Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Civilization.

5 p.m.

Tuesday, November 29 Sandy Bell Gallery Mary and Howard Lester Wing Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Please respond by calling ��������������������������������������� or email specialevents@ou.edu �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.