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Thursday, March 3, 2011
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Parking rules now enforced OU Parking and Transit now enforcing parking rules in Asp Avenue garage RUSSELL TAYLOR The Oklahoma Daily
OU parking rules are being enforced fully this semester now that most of the construction across campus has been completed, a parking spokeswoman said. Students using the Asp Avenue parking garage received warnings the first week of the semester instead of citations to alert them the rules in the garage would be enforced, said Vicky Holland, OU Parking and Transit spokeswoman.
The signs displayed in the Asp Avenue parking garage were replaced recently, but they have always stated the meter must be paid or a permit must be displayed from 5 to 9 p.m. during the week. This is the first semester that those rules are being enforced because of the construction, Holland said. “Since most of that construction has ended, we are now enforcing that rule,” Holland said. Interior design sophomore Allyson Bristow said she was unaware of the changes. “I parked in the Asp parking garage every week last semester for my evening class, and I never had a permit or paid the meter, and I never got a ticket,” Bristow said. “But this semester I got a ticket on the second night class
that I had and another one on the following Wednesday.” Parking and transportation has issued 7,796 tickets and generated $143,240 this semester, Holland said. This number is lower than the first six weeks of the spring 2010 semester when 8,955 tickets were given, Holland said. The department uses citation money to cover operating expenses and maintain its selffunded status, Holland said in an e-mail. Students can avoid violations in the Asp Avenue garage by purchasing an evening pass from the Parking and Transit website. Typically, the evening pass costs $34.50 per semester, but it can be prorated and will cost less when purchased for the remainder of the semester.
CAMPUS ELECTIONS
Housing bans on-site politics Housing and Food prohibits candidates going door to door in dorms; social lounges OK ALYSSA DUDEK The Oklahoma Daily
Election hopefuls gather names
MARDI GRAS | RESIDENTS PROMOTE PARADE
Pairs on presidential ticket collect campaign ideas while collecting signatures KATHLEEN EVANS The Oklahoma Daily
For UOSA president and vice president tickets to run in spring elections, candidates must first pay a $150 fee or obtain 501 student signatures. This year, all candidates turned in more than their required signatures. UOSA Election Board Chairwoman Natalie Jester said both UOSA tickets turned in more than the required signatures, and no one opted to pay the fee. This is typical of elections, Jester said. Presidential candidate and political science junior Forrest Bennett said he does not know how many signatures he got but doesn’t think the number is important. “I know we got more than 501 signatures, and that’s what counts,” Bennett said. “The big thing I ran into when collecting signatures was that I started talking with people about their ideas, and we ended up having great conversations. I would get five or six signatures instead of 10 to 15.” However, Bennett said the trade-off was worth it, as the dialogue with students helped generate ideas and form friendships. To collect signatures, Bennett and his running mate journalism junior Katherine Borgerding went to friends, classmates and some strangers who became friends. “Those strangers we did get them from became acquaintances because we talked to them before or after we asked them for their signature, telling them who we are and what we are up to,” Bennett said. “It was a really fun opportunity to build relationships.” Bennett and Borgerding filed later in the week because of their busy schedules and because that was when they had the time to go together, Bennett said. Now, the pair is gearing up for campaigning. “This campaign, to us, is about educating and empowering students,” Bennett said. “We are ready to do that. I have truly enjoyed just meeting new people and hearing their stories, listening to their ideas. There are a lot of great ideas out there. To me, that’s what this is about — unearthing those ideas and making something out of them.” Bennett and Borgerding’s opponents in the UOSA presidential election, public relations and political science junior Hannah Morris and zoology junior Laura Bock, filed 1,042 signatures 8:30 a.m. Monday.
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Door-to-door campaigning during the spring 2011 election campaign is prohibited by the Housing and Food Office, but candidates can use nearby space by working with officials, a spokeswoman said. Housing and Food has a nosolicitation policy in place, said Lauren Royston, Housing and Food spokeswoman. Candidates can work with the office to use the first floor social lounges and possibly the Cate Main hallway this campaign season. The office is willing to work with students and faculty if they have concerns about the policy, Royston said. “If an overwhelming majority of residents and faculty were in favor of a policy change, they could bring their suggestions to the Resident Student Association representatives and we could open up a dialogue and would be happy to review the suggestions,” Royston said in an e-mail. Natalie Jester, international security studies junior, is the election chair for the spring 2011 election and enforces the campaign rules outlined in the UOSA Code Annotated.
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MERRILL JONES/THE DAILY
Kara Joy McKee, Oklahoma Food Co-op general manager and Mardi Gras parade participant, hula hoops at the Santa Fe Depot on Jones Avenue where the Mardi Gras parade will be held Saturday. McKee was among other parade volunteers who grouped together to save the parade for its 17th year.
Staff gets Mardi Gras parade back on track University group helps Saturday parade struggling to find floats; funds SARA GROOVER The Oklahoma Daily
Despite a lack of resources, OU graduates and current staff are working together to save the 17th annual Norman Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday. The parade was canceled due to a lack of funds from donors, The Norman Transcript reported Feb. 9. OU alumna Aimee Rook joined with OU staff member Amy Kercher and several Norman and OU community members to save the parade. Kercher has worked with the parade since it originated 17 years ago. She said the group is motivated by the bands and floats in the line up and, most of all, their love for the parade. The parade attracts people from across the state and generates revenue for local restaurants and businesses, Rook said. “We want to make it very accessible to the community and family friendly,” said Amy Kercher, OU School of Drama costume shop seamstress. The parade also provides an ideal opportunity for Jazz in June Inc.’s spring fundraiser. The organization’s fundraiser, “Meet Me on Bourbon Street” occurs Saturday during the parade. “We are having our Jazz in June spring fundraiser at the same time as the Norman Mardi Gras parade.” said OU alumnus and Jazz in June President
A LOOK AT WHAT’S ON Visit the news section to read about a Discovery Channel “Storm Chasers’” visit Wednesday to the National Weather Center
Farrel Droke. The fundraiser for Jazz in June costs $25 in advance or $30 at the door. The ticket includes free food from Café Plaid and drinks provided by Coach’s restaurant, Droke said. The University of Central Oklahoma’s “Civilized Tribe Dixie Band” will perform at the event. “There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people that come out to the parade and have fun,” said Debra Levy Martinelli, the owner of local public relations agency LevyMart. The Mardi Gras parade is still new to Norman because students still don’t know about it, said Kara Joy McKee, 2007 OU graduate. With only 10 to 15 floats, the float lineup is smaller than previous years. Rook said the two days the parade was canceled caused the smaller lineup. Last year, the parade had about 36 floats, Kercher said. Rook said she encourages the OU community to participate because students and faculty are a major part of the Norman family. Applications are due late Friday, but Rook said they will take applications until the parade lineup fills. The parade begins at 6:45 p.m. on Jones Street in downtown Norman. The Jazz in June fundraiser will begin at 6 p.m. in the Santa Fe Train Depot. The parade is sponsored by the Norman Arts Council and Party Galaxy. The cost to enter the parade is $20.
THE OKLAHOMA DAILY VOL. 96, NO. 107 © 2011 OU Publications Board www.OUDaily.com www.facebook.com/OUDaily www.twitter.com/OUDaily
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Jari Askins
Askins accepts position at Health Science Center Former Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins was appointed associate provost for external relations at the OU Health Sciences Center, President David Boren said in a press release Wednesday. Askins will serve as spokeswoman and advocate for programs such as the Peggy and Charles Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center, the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center and the Tisdale Clinic, according to the press release. Askins has received numerous awards for her support of health care initiatives. These include the Friend of Medicine Award, Friend of Oklahoma Children’s Award, Legislator of the Year Award and Patient Advocate Award. She was also named Outstanding Legislator by the Oklahoma Public Health Association, according to the press release. — Laney Ellisor/The Daily
TODAY’S WEATHER
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