Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014

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New NCAA rule proposal

Opinion: We support OU students Sports: Coaches in the Big 12 don’t agree about exercising their right to protest the CIA director’s on-campus speech. (Page 4) the rule, which could slow OU down. (Page 7) The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

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PRESIDENT’S DINNER

SCIENCE

CIA director speaks at dinner

New lab a ‘game changer’ for OU

Brennan answers questions about work at CIA, drones ALEX NIBLETT

Assistant Campus Editor

Donning a black suit and OU tie, CIA Director John Brennan took the stage for the President’s Associates Dinner Wednesday to discuss his job with the CIA and the organization’s duty to protect U.S. citizens. Hundreds of guests attended the dinner, where Brennan gave a speech and then answered questions from the audience. Brennan answered questions about drones during the informal question session.

“Each drone is remotely piloted … It presents tremendous capability,” Brennan said. Brennan also said that most of the pictures people see of women and children who’ve been killed or injured by drones are propaganda. Brennan’s visit to OU was met with opposition as student protesters held signs and chanted outside the Oklahoma Memorial Union where Brennan spoke. The protesters could be heard inside during Brennan’s speech and security closed the doors to the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom. Brennan acknowledged the protesters and said the ability to protest was what made the U.S. great.

Plans for fabrication laboratory to be considered for university campus AMBER FRIEND Campus Reporter @amberthefriend

BENNETT HALL/THE DAILY

Current CIA director John Brennan delivers a speech on the state of the organization in contemporary society in the Molly Shi Ballroom in the Oklahoma Memorial Union Wednesday evening.

PHILANTHROPY

SHAIDA TABRIZI Campus Reporter @ShaidaBee

The deadline for 15th Big Event volunteer applications is March 7, and the event’s coordinators are working to attract more than 5,300 volunteers before the deadline. This year’s Big Event will have OU students swarming the Norman and Oklahoma City metro area for landscaping, painting, singing to the elderly and completing various community-oriented activities on April 5, said Kathryn Hillis, economics sophomore and the event’s vice chair of public affairs. Last year, 5,300 people participated in the annual community service event and this year organizers hope to attract more volunteers, Hillis said. Organizers for the event, have planned several benefits and donation opportunities to attract new volunteers, including benefit nights at local restaurants and setting up donation stations on the South Oval, Hillis said. The Big Event executives will serve as car hops at Classic 50’s from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, with 10 percent of proceeds and all tips

going toward the cause, Hillis said. There will also be a benefit night at Chipotle on Campus Corner form 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Hillis said. The money received will fund operating costs and a special fund for one particular business that is chosen based on grant submissions, Hillis said. This special funding is awarded later in the semester, she said. Organizers are reaching out to students from various areas of study like engineering and art, as well as international students, to help them feel connected to their school and community, Hillis said. Students can sign up to volunteer on the Big Event website. Accommodations are available for disabilities and transportation needs.

SEE SCIENCE PAGE 2

“NO MORE DRONE WARS”

Big Event: More volunteers needed to exceed last year Businesses raise funds for event

Three OU faculty members are working to bring a fabrication laboratory to OU in an attempt to help people bring their projects to life through 3-D printing and other technology. Associate business professor Jeffrey Schmidt, engineering professor Zahed Siddique and IT analyst Jonah Duckles were inspired by the IT Store’s recent incorporation of 3-D printers for student use, a similar Tulsa facility

JESSICA WOODS/THE DAILY

Students protest the university’s decision to host John Brennan outside Oklahoma Memorial Union. One protester, sociology senior Jason Byas, explained the protest was against Brennan’s use of kill lists and torture.

Shaida Tabrizi shaida.monroe@gmail.com

How big is the Big Event? Last year more than 5,300 people volunteered for the BIg Event.

MIKE BRESTOVANSKY • CAMPUS REPORTER

Protesters: CIA director not welcome

P

rotesters shouted, “no more drone wars,” so loudly Wednesday night outside Oklahoma Memorial Union that attendees had to shut the doors to the President’s Associates Dinner. SEE DRONE PAGE 3

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

GOVERNMENT

Calling all experienced professors to apply Campus to capitol: students represent Applications for Gateway instructors ending soon MIKE BRESTOVANSKY Campus Reporter @BrestovanskyM

University College officials are accepting instructor applications for the college’s Gateway to College Learning fall semester course until Friday. Gateway to College Learning, commonly referred to as Gateway, is a freshman-only elective course that helps new students transition between high school and college life, said Lillian Miller, director of Freshman Programs. The course is divided into multiple different theme-based sections that students can choose based on their academic and career interests, Miller said. WEATHER Sunny today with a 20 percent chance of rain tonight. High of 55, low of 38.

These themes include “Gateway: Small Town Sooner,” for students coming to OU from smaller towns, and an array of Gateway classes focused on different academic pursuits, such as psychology and math, according to oZONE. “Being a part of Gateway allows students the opportunity to quickly interact with other incoming students who share mutual interests,” Miller said. “It also serves as a guide for students to navigate the institution and achieve their personal goals at OU.” University College officials select more than 65 different instructors each year to be Gateway instructors. These instructors represent a range of more than 30 disciplines and departments campus-wide, Miller said.

The professors come from many areas of campus including sociology, information technology, journalism, international studies and more, according to the University College’s website. “Instructors are trained to teach students about the process of learning and to assist them in their transition to the university,” Miller said. Applicants are required to have a master’s degree, as well as prior teaching experience. Applications can be found on the University College website. Mike Brestovansky mcbrestov@gmail.com

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INDEX

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Campus......................2 Classifieds................5 Life&Ar ts..................5 Opinion.....................4 S p o r t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

theoklahomadaily

OUDaily

OU alumni hold gov. positions MIKE BRESTOVANSKY Campus Reporter @BrestovanskyM

On one hand, there is Shane Stone — a political science major who will graduate in May. On the other hand is Jason Weger — a 31-year-old paramedic and administration graduate student at OU. Both OU students are running for public office this year, which adds

VOL. 99, NO. 110 © 2014 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25¢

them to a growing list of OU students who have run for office while at OU, said Jessica Jones, communications director at the OU College of Law. Law alumnus John Handy is running for State Senate. Emily Virgin, OU alumna, was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives while still at school. Another alumnus, Thad Balkman was recently appointed district judge for Cleveland County, Jones said. SEE GOV PAGE 3


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