The Oklahoma Daily

MONDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2010

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Alabama professor accused of shooting six colleagues has history of violent behavior.r.

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House halts tuition-limiting bill Legislation to restrict tuition increases removed from House committee agenda RICKY MARANON Assignment Editor

A bill that would have placed a cap on the amount colleges and universities can increase tuition has died, a state legislator said.

Rep. Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs, said his bill to cap tuition increases has died in committee.

“I read in the papers, just like

everyone else, (about) the ever increasing costs of tuition at our universities, and I am worried that if we keep allowing tuition to increase uncontrolled then higher education will only be a privilege for some,” Kouplen said.

Kouplen said his bill was scheduled to be heard in the Oklahoma House Appropr iation and Budget SubCommittee-Education on Feb. 9 but was removed from the agenda by the committee chair.

Under the bill, an annual increase to resident tuition and mandatory fees may exceed the rate of inflation only if approved by the Legislature, Kouplen

said.

There is another bill w ith the same intentions that has yet to be heard in the Oklahoma House Rule’s Committee.

Lewis Moore, R-Arcadia, said his bill would cap tuition like Kouplen’s bill, but its future is just as bleak as its twin.

“I want to make college affordable to all people who want it,” Moore said.

“But in all honesty, I think the bill will die in committee too. I hope it doesn’t, and I am waiting to have it brought up, but I’m not expecting any real action TUITION CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARCIN RUTKOWSKI

SPEAKERS DEBATE LEGALITY OF TEN COMMANDMENTS MONUMENT

College of Law hosts symposium to examine separation of church and state, freedom of expression TROY WEATHERFORD Daily Staff Writer

Experts discussed the constitutionality of a Haskell County Courthouse monument of the Ten Commandments on Friday at the College of Law. Two speakers and five panelists weighed in on the controversy at a symposium presented by the College of Law and the Oklahoma Law Review entitled, “Signs of the Times: The First Amendment and Religious Symbolism.”

The monument was erected in 2004 when a Baptist minister approached the county commission members about setting up the monument, which he said is motivated by God. When county resident James Green filed suit against the monument, Federal District Judge Ronald White ruled in favor of the county’s right to display the Commandments. Later, in 2009, a three-judge panel in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling and ordered that they be removed.

Peter Irons, a speaker at the symposium, is a retired professor of political science at the University of California in San Diego who taught constitutional law until his retirement in 2004. He has a soon-to-be published law

review article “Curing a Monumental Error: The Presumptive Unconstitutionality of the Ten Commandments Display.”

At the Symposium, Irons drew a line in the sand when it came to state and federal displays of the Ten Commandments.

“I’ll argue that every display [of the Ten Commandments] is an endorsement [of religion],” Irons said.

He said the Commandments are undoubtedly Christian and Jewish in nature, and that whenever they are posted on state property it is a violation of separation of church and state.

“You can put a pig in a pen or you can put a pig in a parlor but it’s still the same pig,” Irons said.

Irons does make exception though for legitimate art.

“I’m not going to go into a public museum and rip out every painting that’s religious in nature,” Irons said.

Thomas Berg, another speaker at the symposium, is an associate dean for academic affairs and professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. He has authored nearly 30 briefs in cases involving religious liberty and other constitutional issues.

Berg said the Declaration of Independence shows that many founding fathers thought citizens’ rights are tied into the existence of a creator. “ The premise of the Declaration of Independence is that societies have more

rights with a creator,” Berg said.

He also argued that separation of church and state exists primarily to protect churches from the government’s control.

Berg said some historians have written about the separation of church and state as being a voluntary tradition. This meant the role of the state is to neither suppress nor promote worship.

Berg did not say he thought the Haskell County display should be allowed. He also did not say it should be removed. “[Those arguing against displays of the Commandments] don’t really explain why we should be so concerned,” Berg said. “What is wrong with a display that doesn’t force anyone to participate in a religious ceremony and that doesn’t force anyone to look at it?”

Alex Wilson, first-year law student, attended the symposium. He said he thinks the younger generation takes a tougher stance on separating church and state.

“We grew up learning about the separation of church and state so we have that idea ingrained in us a little bit more than older generations,” he said.

Wilson agreed that all displays of the Ten Commandments on public property were unconstitutional. And what about the people who fight to have them displayed?

“It’s almost just creating drama where it doesn’t need to be,” Wilson said.

MONUMENT CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

Toyota recalls send owners to repair shop Norman’s Fowler Toyota ready to install new parts, chief executive says KATHLEEN EVANS Daily Staff Writer

JALL COWASJI/ THE DAILY

Allen Wang, multidisciplinary junior, exhibits his 2009 Toyota Corolla at the parking lot by the McCasland Field House on Sunday evening. Wang’s car is one of 12 models that has been recalled by Toyota.

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Toyota owners are having to fit car repairs into their schedules after the company announced recalls of 12 vehicle models.

Toyota recently announced some models were recalled because of problems with floor mats interfering with the accelerator pedal, causing it to stick and because of issues with accelerator pedals sticking in a down position, according to the Toyota Web site.

To fix the “floor mat entrapment,” Toyota is changing the shape of the pedal and installing new floor mats, according to its Web site. For the “sticking accelerator pedal,” the company is adding a steel bar to the pedal system. The Web site also lists what drivers should do if a problem occurs before they get it fixed.

Allen Wang, multidisciplinary studies junior, drives a 2009 Toyota Corolla, one of the recalled cars.

“Of course I was worried [when I heard about the recall],” Wang said. “But I looked at the statistics and also looked at what to do if my accelerator gets stuck. It doesn’t seem life threatening because it’s only like 150 cars that actually had a problem.”

© 2009 OU PUBLICATIONS BOARD

Wang said he has had problems finding a convenient time to go to take his car to the dealership to receive any necessary repairs.

“Some are going to be like, ‘You’re just gambling with your life,’ but it’s okay,” Wang said. “I looked at how to stop it. I don’t plan on dying in my Toyota.”

After Toyota assessed the problem and how to fix it, the company began contacting owners of the models, according to a press release by the company. Drivers of those cars are responsible for contacting a local dealership and scheduling an appointment.

Wang said he plans to go to Fowler Toyota in Norman by the end of the month to get his car fixed.

“I’m probably going to do it next weekend,” Wang said. “I know it’s obviously a big issue but it’s a very small percentage [of cars] that has a problem.”

Fowler Toyota said in a press release it received its accelerator parts in early February and has started repairs on cars. Chief executive Mike Fowler said he is confident in Toyota’s claims of how to fix the problem and of the safety of its product.

Toyota launched a nationwide commercial and advertising campaign to assure consumers about its products.

Wang said his opinion of Toyota has not changed since the recalls.

“It’s a reliable car,” he said. “I’m not going TOYOTA CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

VOL. 95, NO. 97

2 Monday, February 15, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

OUDAILY.COM » WATCH FILMMAKER BENJAMIN POYNTER DISCUSS HIS SHORT A N I M AT E D F I L M “ L O N G DISTANCE CALL.”

MS. NORMAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED FRAUD Court documents show warrant was issued in 2005 for Anissa Yeargain CASEY WILSON Daily Staff Writer

PHOTO PROVIDED

Mrs. Oklahoma candidate and current Ms. Norman Anissa Yeargain was arrested Feb. 7 in Cleveland County on an outstanding warrant.

Tuition Continues from page 1 on it this session.”

Moore said because he expects his bill to die, he has other legislation pending that would require the state of Oklahoma to find other cost-cutting ways to keep tuition from increasing in the future.

“We are spending in places that cause students to pay for things they will never even use,” Moore said.

Moore said because of spending on retirement programs and health benefits, state universities must find ways to privatize benefits to keep tuition down.

“The things I have proposed will allow people to put more of their own money into their retirement and benefits so they will receive more than just a state amount,” Moore said.

“I want to make sure that everyone who wants to go to college can go,”

The current Ms. Norman and contestant for Mrs. Oklahoma International was arrested Feb. 7 for allegedly writing a bogus check in 2005, according to court documents.

Cleveland County Court documents stated Anissa Yeargain, formerly Anissa Gale Williams, 38, passed a $300 bogus check June 30, 2005, at the Sam’s Club in Norman.

Yeargain was released on $2,000

Moore said. “We have to get spending under control or we may be shutting people out of higher education for the mere reason that they just can’t pay for it.”

Both bills would allow tuition to increase at the rate of inflation and only under the approval of the state legislature.

Many students agreed with Moore and Kouplen that the state should set a cap on the amount tuition can increase.

Greg Gullberg, journalism senior from St. Louis, said he is hoping no increases will take effect any time soon.

“I’m already going to be paying tuition until I’m 40 or 50,” Gullberg said.

“I wish they would find a way to keep costs under control.”

Gullberg said he understands small increases take place because of inflation, but sudden large increases can be devastating to students.

“I can’t afford to pay much more,” Gullberg said. “It’s expensive enough.”

Monument Continues from page 1

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bond Feb. 8, according to court documents.

An employee with Cleveland County Detention Center confirmed the arrest of Yeargain.

According to court documents filed May 31, 2006, a warrant for Yeargain was issued in connection with the incident.

Anissa and her husband, James Yeargain, were ordered March 17, 2009 to pay $3,232.50 for dental services they received in 2007 and 2008.

They also were ordered to pay interest at the statutory rate and attorney fees, according to court documents.

1 6 0 1 E . I m h o f f Roa d | No r m a n , O K 7 3 0 7 1

Following Irons’ and Berg’s speeches, the courtroom took a short break and then reconvened for a panel discussion.

Much of the discussion focused on a precedent known as the endorsement test.

The endorsement test came about in the 1980s when former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor focused on the government’s role in endorsing or disproving religions. In her concurring opinion statement in the 1983 Lynch v. Donnelly decision, she wrote that endorsements of religious displays “sends a message to non-adherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an

accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favored members of the political community.”

Many of the panelists called this test subjective.

“If you don’t feel alienated by what your government has done than you’re not paying attention,” said Carl Esbeck, panelist and professor at the University of MissouriColumbia School of Law. A majority of the panel members and speakers felt the endorsement test would eventually fade out of use.

“If you limit yourself to the endorsement test, you’re whacking off all of these cases that are rightfully decided,” Esbeck said.

The symposium was the first of its size at OU since at least the early 1990s, said Michael Brooks, editor in chief of the Oklahoma Law

Toyota Continues from page 1 to have to worry about it breaking down in the middle of a road trip. Hopefully Toyota learns from this.”

RECALLED TOYOTAS 2005-2010 Avalon 2007-2010 Camry 2009-2010 Corolla 2008-2010 Highlander 2009-2010 Matrix 2004-2010 Prius 2009-2010 RAV4 2008-2010 Sequoia 2005-2010 Tacoma 2007-2010 Tundra 2009-2010 VENZA Source: Toyota Web site

Review.

“A tremendous amount of work went into this symposium,” Brooks said. “We couldn’t have done it without the help of students, faculty and staff.”

He said the symposium helped generate articles for a future issue of the Oklahoma Law Review, which will be dedicated to the event.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCURACY The Daily has a long-standing commitment to serve readers by providing accurate coverage and analysis. Errors are corrected as they are identified. Readers should bring errors to the attention of the editorial board for further investigation by e-mailing dailynews@ou.edu.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Alabama prof’s relatives: Hints of violence not shown HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — An Alabama professor accused of shooting six colleagues was vocal in her resentment over being denied tenure and the looming loss of her teaching post, though relatives and students said she had never suggested she might become violent.

Everyone from family and friends to her students at the University of Alabama-Huntsville said the intelligent and at times, awkward teacher seemed normal in the hours before police say she opened fire Friday afternoon in a faculty meeting, leaving three dead and another three wounded.

Jim Anderson — the father of Amy Bishop’s husband, James Anderson — told The Associated Press on Sunday his son had no idea Bishop was planning the bloodshed she’s accused of.

“He knew nothing. He didn’t know anything,” the father said.

He said that the police had spoken with his son at length and that, “they are doing a good job.”

Indeed, there were many things Bishop apparently did not reveal to those around her.

In 1986, Bishop shot and killed her 18-year-old brother with a shotgun at their Braintree, Mass., home. She told police at the time that she had been trying to learn how to use the gun, which her father had bought for protection, when it accidentally discharged. In all, three shots were fired: Braintree police Chief Paul Frazier said she shot once into a wall, then shot her brother, then fired a third time into the ceiling.

Authorities released her and said the episode was a tragic accident. She was never charged, though Frazier on Saturday questioned how the investigation was handled.

Some of Bishop’s colleagues, i n c l u d i n g Wi l l i a m S e t z e r, Chairman of the department of chemistry, told The Associated Press they did not know about her brother’s death.

Police say the gun she’s accused

of using in the Alabama shooting wasn’t registered, and investigators don’t know how or where she got it.

Bishop, who has four children, was arrested soon after the shooting and charged with capital murder. Other charges are pending. Her husband was detained and questioned by police but has not been charged.

James Anderson said his wife had an attorney but would not say who it was. He declined further comment to The Associated Press on Sunday. However, he told the Chronicle of Higher Education earlier in the day that he had no idea his wife had a gun — nor did he know of any threats or plans to carry out the shooting when he dropped her off at the faculty meeting Friday.

Ju s t a f t e r t h e s h o o t i n g , Anderson told the Chronicle, she called and asked him to pick her up. She never mentioned the shooting, he said.

—AP

CAMPUS EVENTS

TODAY INTERVIEWING 101 Career Services is hosting an interviewing 101 class from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the Crimson Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

SELECTING MAJORS AND CAREERS Donald Asher will lecture about selecting majors and careers from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Meacham Auditorium.

GET A JOB Donald Asher will lecture about how to get any job with any major from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in Meacham Auditorium.

!!!

PRE-CALCULUS The OU Student Success Series Seminar is hosting an event about pre-calculus exams from 3 to 5 p.m. in Wagner Hall, room 254.

ENGINEERS WEEK Engineers Week will host a parlor games tournament from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Willoughby Lounge on the fourth floor of Felgar Hall.

TUESDAY WOMEN’S OUTREACH CENTER The Women’s Outreach Center will be selling tickets to the Pink and Black Ball from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the main lobby of the

Oklahoma Memorial Union.

INTERVIEWING 101 Career Services is hosting an interviewing 101 class for Arts and Sciences students from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the Crimson Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

BIBLE STUDY Christians on Campus will host a bible study at noon in the Traditions Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

INTERVIEWING 101 Career Services is hosting an interviewing 101 class for business majors from 1 to 1:30 p.m. in the Crimson Room of the

Oklahoma Memorial Union.

INTERVIEWING 101 Career Services is hosting an interviewing 101 class for journalism majors from 2 to 2:30 p.m. in the Gaylord Hall of Fame Room.

CAREER SERVICES The Construction Science Career Fair will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Ballroom.

ENGINEERS WEEK “Engineers Got Talent” will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Meacham Auditorium of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

3

POLICE REPORTS The following is a list of arrests and citations, not convictions. The information given is compiled from the Norman and OU Police Departments. At times, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department and the Oklahoma City FBI will contribute to these reports.

All those listed are innocent until proven guilty.

DISTURBING THE PEACE Letha Nicole Wilson, 28, 300 Hal Muldrow Drive, Friday DOMESTIC ABUSE Barry Decarlo, 46, 1100 Oak Tree Ave., Saturday POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Eric Jerome Andrews, 31, 4001 Potomac Drive, Thursday Dorian Arthur Crider, 19, 2501 Jenkins Ave., Thursday, also possession of drug paraphernalia Colton Lee Huey, 18, 4400 W. Main St., Thursday, also possession of drug paraphernalia Robert Lee Willhoite, 31, 300 Hal Muldrow Drive, Friday, also county warrants and carrying weapons Dustin Ryan Brandt-Coley, 19, 332 Page St., Saturday Curtis Walton Gibson, 19, 332 Page St., Saturday Trevor Anthony Green, 21, 332 Page St., Saturday Matthew Grant Joseph, 19, 332 Page St., Saturday Richelle Pearl Silverstrim, 18, 332 Page St., Saturday HOSTING A LOUD PARTY Curtis Leroy Klieger, 21, 2712 Edgemere Drive, Friday Ross Adam Spiegel, 21, 2712 Edgemere Drive, Friday Jessica Ann Norton, 20, 510 S. University Blvd., Saturday Justin Lance Teel, 20, 510

S. University Blvd., Saturday Rita Lynn Myers, 39, 332 Page St., Saturday, also possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia

KNOWINGLY CONCEALING STOLEN PROPERTY Joseph Lee Burns, 40, 414 Kansas St., Thursday Carlee Ann Goff, 25, 414 Kansas St., Thursday

POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Edward Robert Hagen, 19, 2712 Edgemere Drive, Friday

POSSESSION OF WEAPONS Jose Arnoldo Jurado, 21, 11411 Etowah, Thursday Zachary Ragan, 20, 2715 Woodlake Drive, Friday Wayne Duke Kalbaugh, 25, 1201 E. Lindsey St., Friday

AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Shelby Lynn Kretzschmar, 25, Porter Avenue, Saturday Samuel P. Spencer, 30, West Main Street, Saturday DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Adam Eugene Reich, 36, 1900 E. Lindsey St., Wednesday, also obstructing an officer, transporting an open container and driving under a suspended license Noah Zohn Steves, 27, East Lindsey Street, Friday Amber Cheri Green, 22, West Robinson Street, Saturday Durrell Jamal Hodge, 22, 311 SE. 12th Ave., Friday Gregory David Marx, 37, South Pickard Avenue, Saturday TRESPASSING Gregory Alexander Kaplan, 20, 1414 E. Lindsey St., Wednesday PUBLIC INTOXICATION Jarod Earl Bishop, 24, 1150 E. Alameda St., Wednesday Tony Ray Powell, 19, 330 Wewoka St., Thursday John Darell Neubauer, 40, 211 W. Himes St., Wednesday Michael Scott Rodgers, 40, 103 W. Apache St., Friday Richard Leslie Shults, 43, 769 Asp Ave., Saturday

PETTY LARCENY Wesley Dale Friesen, 19, 400 Buchanan Ave., Friday, also possession of an alcoholic beverage, possession of a fake ID, and public intoxication David Bradley Matthe Metz, 32, 1215 E. Lindsey St., Friday MUNICIPAL WARRANT Billy Albert Bailey, 61, 201 W. Gray St., Saturday Jessica Jean Parr, 24, 201 W. Gray St., Friday Nicky Lee Mitchell, 21, 201 W. Gray St., Friday Tiffany Sienna Navarrette, 29, incident location unknown, Friday Kari Anne Cunningham, 19, 4007 Goshawk St., Thursday Joel A. York, 37, 201 W. Gray St., Thursday Tracy M. Fortner, 36, 300 N. Berry St., Friday Alan Michael Gilstrap, 20, 2715 Woodlake Drive, Friday, also county warrant and possession of controlled dangerous substances COUNTY WARRANT Caleb Andrew Bennett, 22, East Alameda Street, Friday Brandon Tom Collins, 32, 318 E. Hayes St., Thursday Dennis Lee Fortner, 32, 300 N. Berry St., Friday

YOU ARE INVITED!

DEDICATION ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility 2 p.m.

TODAY

850 S. Jenkins Ave. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the Office of Special Events at (405) 325-3784.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

4

Monday, January 15, 2010

Max Avery, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

COMMENT OF THE DAY »

The full version of all three UOSA columns can be found online at:

In response to Rhea’s Friday column on reinstating the draft.

YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

OUDAILY.COM

OUR VIEW

LET’S TALK ABOUT RAPE Wednesday, a cartoon appeared in The Daily that many believe depicted and even advocated rape. Schuyler Crabtree, the cartoonist, intended the cartoon to be a social criticism of condoms in the dorms, not rape.

But we don’t want to debate the cartoon anymore. Instead, let’s talk about rape.

Rape is a huge problem not just here, but everywhere. That’s got to end. Let’s bring it out in the open and discuss what we can do to stop it. Now. Rape is sex without consent.

One out of every six American women will experience rape in their lifetime.

Rape is a human issue, not a feminist issue; it is a problem no one has the right to ignore.

According to OUPD’s Incident Totals for 2009, there were two reported or attempted rapes. Two. Really?

The problem is a lot of rapes aren’t reported for a variety of reasons including fear, embarrassment, a desire to move on, not understanding it was rape, and more.

We are going to have to stop ignoring rape and start seeing it as a serious problem if we really want to solve it.

Our society has developed the maxim of “No means no.” Instead the maxim should be, “Yes means yes, and nothing other than yes means yes.”

There are many forms of rape people refuse to acknowledge as rape, but they are still rape.

Taking advantage of a drunk person is

“Oh, it would increase voter participation, alright. There’s a good chance it would result in those who re-established a draft out of office in favor of those who would repeal the draft. :P” -Lansdallius

Thumbs UP, Thumbs DOWN

rape, whether you think it is or not.

If your partner says no, and you still have sex, it is rape, whether you call it rape or not.

If you know the person well, the definition of rape doesn’t change. According to OUPD’s Web site, more than half the reported sexual assaults in this country are committed by people the victim knew.

There are enough rapists; we don’t need to imagine any more enemies. Instead let’s try to make some friends and actually work to solve this problem.

If we want to address rape as a problem in our society, we cannot simply regard it as an issue between a victim and a rapist. Rape is an issue that affects everyone, and everyone’s going to have to work to overcome it.

If you want to get involved in preventing rape, OU Women’s Outreach Center is an organization that raises awareness in the OU community and they are always looking for more volunteers. Just e-mail woc@ou.edu and let them know you want to help.

If you are a victim of sexual violence and need help, here are some organizations who can help: Women’s Resource CenterDomestic violence: 405-701-5549 Sexual assault: 405-701-5660 OU Counseling Services: 405-325-2911 Number Nyne Crisis Line is available to talk about any personal issues: 405-325-6963 Norman sexual assault hotline: 405-3600590

the week in a nutshell

Housing and Food Services is planning to construct a new roof for Kraettli.

The OU Board of Regents increased course fees for aviation students.

Norman Mardi Gras parade got people out of their homes and into a community event.

Two OU men’s basketball players were cited for shoplifting in Sooner Fashion Mall.

OU Theatre’s “To Kill a Mocking Bird” sold out in two days proving theatre is not dead.

Winter storms have cost the already fiscally hindered state of Oklahoma $9 million.

Bob Stoops publicly backed The National Child Identification Program, which helps find missing children.

Three weeks into the legislative session there is no plan to fix the $729 million hole in the state budget.

COUNTER COUNTER POINT andPOINT POINT

POINT POINT

UOSA gets in the way

Wanted: Public Servants

UOSA represents you!

The idea of a student government sounds good. Students are affected by the decisions made by this university and as such should have a voice in every decision that is made.

However good this idea sounds, it is evident that our student government has simply failed. In the last general election, 5 percent of students voted. In the previous election, 21 out of 48 seats were unopposed and 19 simply went vacant.

Even the presidency was unopposed.

This low voter turnout is entirely understandable given the irrelevance and powerlessness of UOSA. UOSA has no official say in university decisions, only a hilarious thing called “suggestive power” whereby it can suggest courses of action for the administration to take. Even if this suggestive power amounted to anything, the fact more than 80 percent of the positions received zero votes undermines any sort of authority it might claim to have with respect to student wishes to begin with.

However, it is not just that UOSA is powerless, has no participation and is generally incompetent that hurts MATT students. Its mere existence makes it BRUENIG more difficult for more serious groups to fight for students’ interests.

Because UOSA is constructed as the legitimate institution of the student voice, it gets treated as the only real avenue for advocacy, which frustrates independent groups and movements. The effectiveness of independent groups is hurt by the fact the administration can claim they have no legitimate right to express an opinion of the student body — what UOSA is supposed to do.

In addition, because UOSA is seen as the legitimate voice while simultaneously being tied down to greater restrictions, it is less effective at achieving the goals of the individual groups. Due to procedure, utilizing its comical suggestive power can take months, which simply does not deliver for students in a university running on a semester system.

Some might rebut that UOSA runs more slowly and ineffectively precisely because it represents a much wider variety of student interests than independent groups it displaces. This rebuttal is theoretical at best. The reality is almost no one votes in UOSA elections and even fewer actually run; UOSA represents no one.

Others might argue one should work within UOSA to work for changes. This, of course, is not a solution for the reasons I offered above. The problem with UOSA is structural: It simply has no power and no influence.

Students deserve a voice that does not spend the bulk of its time appointing itself to various committees and modifying its own internal code.

Students deserve a voice that can effectively call for the addition of sexual orientation to OU’s non-discrimination clause — a referendum passed by a nearly two-thirds vote just under a year ago.

Students deserve a voice that has actual voting power in the decisions the university makes such as the upcoming tuition and fee increases President David Boren will no doubt push through in May after all of the students have left.

Students deserve a voice that actually gives them power and represents them in OU’s decision-making process.

If UOSA wants to help students realize this voice, it needs to either drastically reform or get out of the way.

With enormous budget cuts looming, fee increases, faculty and retiree benefit cuts, the need for a unified student voice is not being met.

As a student, I’d be downright scared if UOSA actually did make decisions that affect us. I guess its irrelevance is a blessing in disguise. However, a day will come at OU when students will need a voice, a say in our community. And, if no one is there to stand up for students, we will be trampled. It has happened in the past and it could certainly happen again.

The bulk of serious legislation produced by UOSA has been ineffective, insulating and irrefutably not in the interest of the OU student body at large. This, as we can learn from Washington today, is the definition of a broken public service. That’s not to say everything UOSA does can be described in this manner — the Green Week Committee is blazing the trail for environmental awareness on campus — but these descriptors certainly hit the mark of the overwhelming majority of UOSA Congressional activity.

The truth about Oklahoma Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is they want more people to participate in UOSA, particularly people who are more interested in public service with the hopes of creating a Congress that possesses a greater affinity for democratic representation. It’s also the truth that SDS is often overly inflammatory and sometimes a bit ridiculous.

There appears to be no end in sight to this dichotomy other than the end of the semester.

Sadly, UOSA and SDS both desire more involvement among students on campus, they just can’t seem to find any common ground and would rather exert their energy on finding new ways to marginalize the other.

When pride stands in the way of progress, change must come.

JESS OU is badly in need of leaders EDDY with a vision of common interest. We need progressives who are willing to compromise, agree and affect change that has some meaning, some impact. Those of you who will complain when the OU Board of Regents raise tuition will not understand why. You will not have the ability to inquire, because your representatives don’t represent you and are thus unconcerned. They represent themselves. They will not give you any information, nor will you ask. They will not inquire for you, because the status quo is in their favor. And, ultimately, you will be powerless to express yourself.

In reality, OU is simply a microcosm of the bigger picture. And the big picture is that times are hard my friends and the decisions we make today will be felt tenfold tomorrow. The problems we face today cannot be corrected by an individualized society. No, only a unified people can overcome the challenges we face.

Day by day, more and more people can’t afford school, books, rent, gas, health care, food and not even a smile. If you’re one of those who can’t, I hope you find the strength to persevere. If you can, help those who can’t. Only together can we overcome the problems of now.

If you have the drive to help, lead.

The creation of student government was inspired by student activism. UOSA was founded in 1969, the apex in student activism. UOSA was borne not out of an attempt to kill student movements, but rather to provide permanence to them. Student government was designed to ensure students would always have a seat at the table, instead of having to fight for one.

Consider the assertion: independent student groups are better than student governing institutions at expressing student concerns.

Independent groups are just as vital to student expression as student governMATT ment. They provide something UOSA GRESS cannot, a place for individuals with minority interests to gather and be passionate about those interests collectively. The massive amount of student groups on campus indicates the vibrant diversity of culture, beliefs and ideas can afford almost anyone who attends OU a place to belong.

But one thing these independent groups cannot do is represent all of the interests held by the student body. UOSA uses a budget provided by the student body to reach out to students and advocate their shared interests. It serves as a legitimate conduit between the student body and the administration. UOSA exists to articulate all of these interests.

Student government advocates what students want via the democratic process of electing leaders to represent them.

It serves to ensure significantly diverse viewpoints held by 24,000 students are considered before making critical decisions that may affect dodgeball, juggling, Frisbee, rugby and other activities and causes on campus. UOSA is here for everyone.

UOSA empowers student groups to press their cause by using the UOSA budget to fund such efforts. A symbiotic relationship exists between these smaller groups and UOSA. Can UOSA slow the process down? Yes. Should it? Of course!

All OU students are part of UOSA, and all students should have a voice in determining the structure of UOSA. Making that determination requires time.

Failure to exercise mutual respect and understanding for the long-standing ideas and structure of UOSA determined by the overwhelming majority of students over time has created absurd proposals.

Some claim UOSA is ineffective, can only suggest and is powerless — UOSA has no authority. Have they failed to acknowledge UOSA determines how $2 million is spent annually? Or how UOSA gives more than $600,000 to student groups across campus? These are contact points where student advocacy not reported in The Daily takes place.

UOSA is students; UOSA is us. The administration, the State Regents, close to 50 student governments across the state, all Big 12 universities, Oklahoma’s state legislature and leadership in Washington, D.C. listen to us. We have accomplished many outstanding things over the years. Student Congress, for example, will post major achievements it has accomplished over the decade on its new Web site, congress. ou.edu, because that list is too long to post here. UOSA has received a largely undeserved bad rap.

But we won’t complain.

Why? Because we have the students’ business to attend to.

Matt Bruenig is a philosophy junior and the former spokesman Oklahoma Students for a Democratic Society.

Jess Eddy is a political science and religious studies sophomore and a member of UOSA Advocacy.

Matt Gress is a political science and history senior, and the UOSA Undergraduate Student Congress Vice Chairman.

T=: O@A6=DB6 D6>AN Jamie Hughes Caitlin Harrison Ricky Maranon Lisa Phan Max Avery Michelle Gray Marcin Rutkowski

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

Monday, February 15, 2010

5

Aaron Colen, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

« MEN’S BASKETBALL SSooners blown oout in Stillwater aagainst OSU OOUDAILY.COM

No. 1 Huskies to visit Norman

«

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Sooners will attempt to break Connecticut’s long win streak ANNELISE RUSSELL Daily Staff Writer

After a 65-55 win over Colorado Saturday, OU women’s basketball faces its toughest opponent all season: No. 1 Connecticut.

“I like where our team is and I like where their head is,” coach Sherri Coale said about going into OU’s next game.

Monday’s game against Connecticut is the Big Monday game on ESPN, which Coale said is why the Sooners are disrupting the Big 12 schedule to play the Huskies.

“It was a huge opportunity I think for our basketball team to be involved in the unbelievable cause which is the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund,” Coale said.

Some might wonder why the Sooners are taking on a team that currently holds a 64game win streak in the middle of Big 12 play.

“The reason you play Connecticut is your goals are bigger than the conference,” Coale said.

AP PHOTO

OU senior center Abi Olajuwon goes for the ball between Colorado’s Brittany Spears, left, and Courtney Dunn during an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla. on Feb. 13.

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Coale emphasized Connecticut is more of an opportunity than a hazard.

“I don’t think there is any risk involved, I think what you have is an opportunity to go and play free,” Coale said.

The middle of February can be time when some teams stall, but other teams progress.

Coale said she hopes this is a time when her team can learn and get better.

Senior forward Amanda Thompson, who had 16 points against Colorado, said she is looking forward to the chance to play the best in the nation.

“It’s one of those games you always look at on your schedule, the one that sticks out,” Thompson said.

Monday night’s game also sticks out because it is Pack the Place Pink night. The event is part of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association PinkZone Initiative and the Sooner team will auction off its pink jerseys after the game.

The pink crowd will be rocking Monday night as the Sooners tip off at 8 Monday night.

6 Monday, February 15, 2010 Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

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

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

DEADLINES Line Ad ..................................................................................3 days prior Place your line ad no later than 9:00 a.m. 3 days prior to publication.

Display Ad ............................................................................3 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad Place your display, classified display or classified card ads no later than 5:00 p.m. 3 days prior to publication.

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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.

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1 4 6 9 7 3 8 5 2

9 2 4 6 5 1 7 8 3

8 1 7 4 3 2 9 6 5

6 5 3 7 9 8 2 1 4

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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.

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By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Monday, Feb. 15, 2010 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Know that nothing is wrong with reversing a position or decision, especially if you begin to see some important, previously overlooked alternative.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- If you devote most of your efforts and energies to practical assignments, much can be achieved.

The smartest thing is not to waste time on frivolous pursuits.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You may not feel like going out and moving mountains, but whatever tasks await you, perform them with careful planning and execution. You can even undertake that intricate, long-neglected job.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -It’s a smart policy to finish what you’ve begun before starting anything new. Put to rest all projects that are in process, and begin again with a clean slate.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -One of your greatest attributes is the ability to effectively communicate what you’re trying to sell. Put your heart into it, and you can talk your way to success.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Knowledge acquired over time can be utilized to your advantage, especially to feather your nest materially. Look for ways to turn a profit.

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THE MONT Now accepting applications for the following positions: SERVER, must be available for day shifts beginning at 10:30, server experience preferred.

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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.

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Focus on all those ideas and concepts that you would like to get off the drawing board. It’s a good time to launch, because people in general are receptive to new thinking.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- There’s no need to panic or fret if you find yourself in the middle of a hotly contested competitive development. Your abilities to state your case will be better than your opponent’s.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Good friends generally have an uplifting effect on your outlook. They will be right there to encourage you to undertake something that has held you captive.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- You have more than enough know-how to achieve your objectives. You merely have to believe in yourself and be assertive enough to fuse these two attributes together.

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as troops 46 Aloft 48 Maryland state bird 49 Rakish sort 50 Calabash 52 Golfer’s porter 57 ___ de menthe 59 Geologist, e.g.

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12 The older Gershwin brother

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CREATURE COMFORTS by Henry Quarters

Monday, February 15, 2010

7

« ONLINE

Joshua Boydston, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

Go to OUDaily.com to read a review of “Valentine’s Day” on yOU, an L&A blog.

‘MOSAIC’ CONCERT TO GIVE AUDIENCES A TASTE OF OU MUSIC ALEX EWALD Daily Staff Writer

William Wakefield hopes audiences learn variety is a key ingredient in the School of Music’s flavor at the “Musical Mosaic” concert at 8 tonight in the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center.

As organizer of the fourth annual concert and a conductor for one of the performing groups, Wakefield said “Musical Mosaic” derives its title from the tiles used to create one big picture. “[A mosaic is] a myriad of different colors and lots of different pieces,” said Wakefield, conducting professor.

“And that fits kind of what the concert is about — it’s made of little, shorter vignettes with all kinds of variety within the School of Music.”

T h e s e “ v i g n e t t e s” i n c l u d e Wakefield’s wind symphony and an organist, an opera number, OU choral groups and smaller chamber ensembles, duets and solos.

Lighting changes follow the groups during and between performances, rigged by concert hall manager Alan Hiserodt, meant to bring a sense of wholeness to the evening.

“It’s a theatrical presentation and not so much a youplay, you-clap, you-see-another group-comes-on-andplays [concert],” Wakefield said. “[The lighting arrangement] really tightens up the concert, and it gives you a lot of variety in a short amount of time.”

Several numbers use different types of performances PHOTO PROVIDED — even within the musical genres, such a vibraphone and The orchestra ensemble rehearses for the “Musical Mosaic.” The concert marimba piece — together to show a broad appeal to differis at 8 tonight in the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center. ent audiences, Wakefield said.

“[The audience] might hear something that they wouldn’t go to listen to or watch, so I think that [the performances] can offer themselves a little intrigue for people to taste a little bit more of the School of Music and what happens here,” he said.

For example, the new Century Ensemble, with composition professor Marvin Lamb, will perform a contemporary piece by Thomas Albert called “Illuminations,” which will feature a tap dancer. A guitarist will perform the number “On the Street Where You Live” from the musical “My Fair Lady.” Students also will perform their own pieces in ensembles or duets.

“There’s a little bit for everyone,” sai Danh Pham, logistics coordinator.

Pham, a second-year conducting doctoral student, said it’s important to have such variety to broaden an audience’s appeal.

“We want to make sure that audiences have an opportunity to just have a variety of choices to come and listen to the various talents of the students,” Pham said.

“Musical Mosaic,” Pham said, is much like the name these concerts used to be called: prism concerts, which originated in the 1950s.

“It’s like a musical prism. There are so many different angles to look at an object,” he said. “With so many different acts on board … this hopefully will be the most diverse audience.”

Wakefield, however, said he believes taste is the key ingredient in tonight’s concert.

“An appetizer would be just right for the concert,” he said.

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8

Monday, February 15, 2010

Stellar cast complements ‘Wolfman’ remake neither an already strong script frightening, nor interesting

Despite the familiarity of its story, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is no less engrossing at the hands of University Theatre, which is staging the play through Sunday. That’s as much a testament to the acting prowess of OU’s drama students as it is the timelessness of the novel by Harper Lee, the racial themes of which don’t seem nearly as outdated as one might hope.

While the show is a rather large production, with more than 20 characters and several major set changes, its best moments come as the result of one or two actors stepping into the shoes of Lee’s memorable characters and hitting a dramatic home run.

In this form, “Mockingbird” becomes almost purely an actor’s production. Strip away the excellent and versatile scenic design by Andrew Brown and the solid costume design by Jennifer Cozens, and the show would be distilled down into something still very impressive — captivating because of its human element.

Leading the way is drama senior Paul Stuart as altruistic attorney Atticus Finch. With his third consecutive major role in a University Theatre drama, Stuart achieves his best performance yet, perfectly capturing the compassion and wisdom of a man surrounded by the exact opposite.

DUSTY Not far behind is 13-yearold Alyssa Danley, who SOMERS exudes confidence as the spunky and inquisitive Scout, Finch’s daughter who always finds herself in the middle of things. Along with drama freshman Stephen Ibach as her brother Jem, Danley almost single-handedly carries the play’s first act. Her consistency of characterization and her irrepressible poise when bantering with Stuart make for some of the best moments of the show.

The ideals of the first act — Finch explains

PHOTO PROVIDED

Drama senior Paul Stuart (Atticus Finch) and guest actor Alyssa Danley (Scout) rehearse for the Feb. 12 opening of “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

The play runs through Sunday.

to his children the need to be willing to step into another’s shoes and see his or her point of view — are borne out in the second act, when Finch heads into trial defending Tom Robinson (drama senior Jonathan Hooks in a supremely dignified and moving turn), a black man accused of raping Mayella Ewell (drama senior Mary Black), a white woman.

The courtroom scenes, with most of the dialogue taken directly from the novel, contain some of the finest writing of the 20th century, and Hooks and Stuart both hold the audience captive with those eloquent words. As racist and lying Bob Ewell, drama sophomore Brandon Christopher Simmons does the same with his ugly ones.

The heartbreaking consequences of racial prejudice still pack an enormous punch in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” University Theatre’s production owes a lot to the stellar novel, which stands up just fine on its own, but the top-notch acting across the board makes it a must-see piece of theater.

Dusty Somers is a journalism senior.

Woe is us, for gone are the days when filmmakers had a sound understanding of what makes for top-notch horror. The latest example of bungled horror films, Joe Johnston’s remake of “The Wolfman,” opened Friday, garnering more sighs than screams from film fans with its underdeveloped narrative and oversaturation of special effects and clichés.

The film opens on Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) being called home to England after the disappearance of his brother (whose mangled body is soon discovered). His subsequent search for answers yields dealings with gypsies and townsfolk, entanglements with an obligatory love interest (played by Emily Blunt), lycanthropy, and ever-increasing conflict with his father (played by Anthony Hopkins). Sadly, however, “The Wolfman” invests little more time in explaining itself than has the description you’ve just read.

The film’s fatal flaw is just that. From the first shot, it makes far too many assumptions, which seems to ultimately breed laziness on the part of the film’s “creative” team. In the world of “The Wolfman,” character and narrative development are apparently considered a waste of time, leaving audiences with characters who are difficult to care about and a story that isn’t particularly original or captivating.

If “The Wolfman’s” intention was not to rely on silly things like characters or story, then its biggest priority is clearly its overdependence on special effects. It’s true: Oftentimes less is more—a rule that Johnston has neglected to apply to his film. Trippy flashbacks, nightmares and computer-generated bears and werewolves do not a scary movie make.

With much more memorable endeavors such as “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and “Jumanji” to his credit, Johnston would have done well to follow the lead of the original 1941 film, which demonstrates masterful use of suspense and

PHOTO PROVIDED

psychological tension to frighten audiences.

Johnston’s version makes little use of either.

I have to take the time to applaud “The Wolfman” for its one real accomplishment—it achieves the unthinkable by actually being too grand a snooze for even the talents of the legendary Sir Anthony Hopkins to fully salvage.

However, the expanded story of Hopkin’s character is the only feature original to the Johnston version, and simultaneously the only element to add even a smidgen of intrigue to the film.

Although the film is far from being the worst werewolf movie ever made, the simple fact is “The Wolfman” fails miserably in its attempts to be scary (more disturbing imagery has been seen in Skittles commercials). The film, which never really had a chance of standing up to the glory of its classic predecessor, is one lukewarm title worth waiting to rent.

Lunden England is a film and video studies senior.