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Friday, April 1, 2011

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Course-review access restricted Course reviews may not be released to students without instructor consent NICHOLAS HARRISON The Oklahoma Daily

Professors who receive bad course evaluations from their students may ensure this information is never publicly disclosed.

Evaluation results are not to be released

without instructors’ consent, according to university policy.

“Instructor evaluations by students began in order to provide students with input into the personnel decisions made in association with annual pay raises, promotion and tenure,” Faculty Senate Chairman LeRoy Blank said.

In the 1980s, the faculty received a request that students be allowed to view the results of professor evaluations performed by students,

Blank said.

“The Faculty Senate considered this request and — simultaneously considering the confidential nature of the results — decided that they could be released if faculty would agree to such release,” Blank said.

Course evaluation data is considered part of SEE COURSE PAGE 2

MUSIC FESTIVAL ENCOURAGES MAIN STREET SHOPPING

CAC runoff election not yet scheduled, chairwoman says The spring election board is working to set a date for the Campus Activities Council runoff election, but UOSA does not have clear procedures for runoff elections.

There are conflicting sections of UOSA’s Code Annotated, the UOSA Constitution and rulings by the superior court, election board chairwoman Natalie Jester said.

“I want to make sure the election is valid and no questions are asked when it’s over,” Jester said.

No candidate received 50 percent of the vote during Tuesday and Wednesday’s initial CAC election and a runoff was declared between microbiology junior Greg Emde and international and area studies junior Melissa Mock.

Emde and Mock finished 20 votes apart, earning about 36 percent of the vote each.

If authorization is given, Jester said she hopes to set the runoff date today.

After the runoff election is over, Jester said there will be discussions to create legislation that will clarify rules about runoff elections.

— Chase Cook/The Daily

MATT CARNEY/THE DAILY

Kristen Hanks, interior designer for Mister Robert Furniture, straightens up items around the store Wednesday. Mister Robert Furniture is one of many Main Street businesses that will close the Saturday during Norman Music Festival, owner Steve Calonkey said. In efforts to bring business to downtown retailers, festival organizers have scheduled Saturday as a day to shop in the area.

We feel like they’re infringing on our right to do business.

— STEVE CALONKEY, MISTER ROBERT FURNITURE OWNER

Festival urges fans to back downtown business

MATT CARNEY | THE DAILY

W

ith the fourth Norman Music Festival less than a month away, festival organizers are implementing an innovative strategy to encourage business for downtown stores that will either lose money or close April 30 when the festival shuts down the street.

The Norman Music Festival Carrot Mob is scheduled for Saturday and will provide an opportunity for fans of the festival to shop retailers in the downtown district.

The festival committee is giving away two VIP tickets (valued at $200) to one shopper, as well as publicizing the festival’s musical lineup to event attendees.

The goal of Carrot Mob is to double the stores’ retail for any given Saturday to make up for the upcoming street closure that will take place in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Norman’s downtown East Main Street, said Robert Ruiz, festival committee chairman.

“We want to make the festival a win-win for everybody,” Ruiz said.

While many businesses along Main Street – particularly the bars, restaurants

and clothing shops — turn a great profit during the festival street closure, higherend retailers — specifically jewelry and furniture stores — lock their doors when the music-hungry foot traffic picks up, Ruiz said.

“Our customers aren’t the type of customers who come to the music festival,” said Mack McGuckin, owner of Goodno’s Jewelry at 217 E. Main St. “A lot of our clientele are middle-aged to older people who aren’t going to come to the festival anyway. When they know it’s here, with the street closed, they’re not even going to come anywhere close to downtown.”

The closure of Main Street affects business, said Steve Calonkey, Mister Robert Furniture owner.

“We feel like they’re infringing on our right to do business,” Calonkey said.

Ruiz said he and the rest of the Norman Music Festival organizers are aware of these businesses’ losses, which they are trying to remedy through help from the public.

“All the concerns of the downtowners are

More than $15,000 raised for scholarships University faculty, staff and retirees placed 1,489 bids on items intended to fund university scholarships during a four-day auction that raised $15,417.

Items included a private football practice viewing and a tour of university athletic facilities with coach Bob Stoops, said Beckie Tramel, Annual Giving Programs assistant director.

The Campus Campaign raises money to fund programs chosen

by OU faculty and staff. It runs on all three OU campuses and this year’s theme is giving from the heart, Tramel said.

The auction accepted donations from local businesses, celebrities and university departments, Tramel said.

“My goal was $12,000 and we surpassed that so I’m very, very pleased with it,” Tramel said.

Last year’s auction raised more than $18,000, Tramel said.

The campaign will run through June and its goal is to meet or exceed the amount of donations made last year, said Brian Britt, Campus Campaign faculty chair.

— Carmen Forman/ The Daily

SEE SHOP PAGE 2

Artist-in-residence ends stay at OU with final improv show McCurdy led jam sessions, lectures for undergraduate, master’s students RACHAEL CERVENKA The Oklahoma Daily

MERRILL JONES/THE DAILY

Ron McCurdy, professor of music at the University of Southern California, performs Thursday at Coach’s Brewhouse.

A LOOK AT WHAT’S ON Visit the news section to read about business students selling wristbands to raise awareness about texting and driving

OU’s artist-in-residence is leaving today after jazzing up the campus community with improvisation shows and speeches on his career.

Ronald McCurdy, University of Southern California music professor, spent time rehearsing with the Pride of Oklahoma, doing improvisations with master’s classes in the College of Fine Arts and lecturing about careers in music.

McCurdy is nearing his 25th year teaching music to college students.

McCurdy served seven years as jazz studies director at the University of Kansas and from there taught at the University of Minnesota.

THE OKLAHOMA DAILY VOL. 96, NO. 123 © 2011 OU Publications Board www.OUDaily.com www.facebook.com/OUDaily www.twitter.com/OUDaily

Ten years ago he arrived at USC to serve as the chair of the jazz department and is currently a professor of music in USC’s Thornton School of Music, he said. He has been playing music for nearly 35 years, he said.

“I am proud of the fact that, because I have taught such a long time, I’ve had so many former students to maintain a real love for the arts and for music,” McCurdy said.

McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs and has served as a Walt Disney All-American Summer College Jazz Ensemble consultant, according to his website.

“I have had a lot of chances to have a positive impact on a lot of people’s lives.” McCurdy said.

Tayler Bolton, music sophomore, said he appreciated hearing McCurdy’s story during Thursday’s lecture about careers in the arts.

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“Some people that are that successful aren’t that open about what they did,” Bolton said.

McCurdy plays trumpet and piano, but his specialty is jazz trumpet. He said his father played trumpet and his son graduated from USC as a classical trumpet player.

“I am someone who loves people, who loves music, who loves the arts, and it gives me tremendous pleasure to see people realize their dreams, goals and aspirations,” McCurdy said.

School of Music Director Steven Curtis said he was pleased to have McCurdy on campus.

“He is so multi-faceted, and what we are trying to get across to our students is that it is very important to not only think of one thing but to always have a plan B, and he is a master at that and that is why we brought him,” Curtis said.

TODAY’S WEATHER

84°| 53° Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, high of 78 degrees

2 • Friday, April 1, 2011

CAMPUS

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

SHOP: Main Street retailers remain wary USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Continued from page 1

Ruiz and the Norman Music Festival committee have advertised the Carrot Mob event mainly through social legitimate,” Ruiz said. “We need everybody to help with that. media. They’ve publicly offered prizes to people who post We want to show our appreciation for these retailers.” screenshots of themselves inviting 400 or more friends to the Carrot Mob event on Facebook, encouraging people to CLOSING THEIR DOORS share what they intend to purchase during the Carrot Mob. Last year Norman Music Festival brought in $3.46 million They also encouraged people to advertise the event by using from attendees, according to a report by the the poster as their profile pictures.

Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau, While the event’s Facebook wall shows mostthough Calonkey and McGuckin claim not to ly encouraging discourse, a few commenters have seen that benefit. Both said they’re unopenly criticized merchants who oppose the happy with what McGuckin called the “zero street closure. possibility” of selling on a Saturday, which, for Gina Mitchell, who owns Mitchell’s Jewelry 123 Studio Gallery them, is a critical day of business. at 218 E. Main St. and appreciates the festival Big R Furniture Both retail store owners said they are not opcommittee’s Carrot Mob initiative, said such Dreamer Concepts posed to the festival itself, just to the street clowords coming from members of the Norman Ed’s Pawn Shop sure that prevents them from doing business. community hurt.

Forward Foods “They aren’t in the shopping mood; they’re “A lot of people are saying ‘Well, I can’t beGoodno’s Jewelry there to enjoy themselves,” McGuckin said of lieve these stupid old-timers downtown don’t International Grocery the festival attendees. get it, that their one day of business is more Main Site Art Gallery McGuckin said he and several other busiimportant to them than what’s going on in ness owners voted against the street closure Ravenfeathers Norman’,” said Mitchell, whose business has to no avail. He said he first heard about the Sandalwood and Sage been located downtown since 1981. “It’s heartCarrot Mob “a couple of weeks ago” and is not breaking. It kills me.”

The Home Store optimistic about the initiative.

Mitchell said she supports the festival but “It isn’t going to help a bit I think,” McGuckin does not enjoy the loss of potential profits.

Visit OUDaily.com for a said. “They think that they’re doing us a favor, “I love that they’re doing this,” Mitchell said complete list of stores. and they’re not. On any given day you don’t of the Carrot Mob. “But you never know who’s know what your prospects are for sales, but going to come into your store who was planwhen you can’t have the possibility of the sale, that’s what ning on buying something [the day of the festival].” makes us unhappy.”

Ruiz said he sees it differently. He said the social-media acGoodno’s Jewelry isn’t the only business intending to close tivity preceding the mob has been positive. its doors the day of the festival. Bill Bybee, manager of Marquis “The reason why we’re really hopeful is because of all the Furniture said they would close, as well as Calonkey at Mister support we see from people, and people get it,” he said. “They Robert’s Furniture and Gina Mitchell at Mitchell’s Jewelry. understand what we’re trying to do.”

Participating stores

Today around campus » Final day to change from credit to audit for spring semester. » OU Health Sciences Center invites prospective students to come and meet with college representatives to find out more about the program as part of HSC First Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Wagner Hall, Room 145. » Professors and experts from around the country will host a panel discussion titled “Global Security, Local Ethics” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Gaylord Hall’s Edith Kinney Gaylord Library. » Medieval Fair of Norman will begin at 10 a.m. in Reaves Park and run through 7 p.m.

Sunday. » Free jam session with USC professor and jazz trumpeter Ron McCurdy will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Coach’s Brewhouse, 110 W. Main St. » OU baseball will compete against Texas Tech at 6:30 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park. » The Oklahoma Festival Ballet will take place at 8 p.m. in the Reynolds Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $14 to $25. » University Theatre presents Homer’s “The Odyssey” at 8 p.m. in the Weitzenhoffer Theatre. Tickets will be $14 for students, $22 for adults and $18 for OU faculty and staff and senior adults. » Sutton Artist Series presents a clarinet recital by József Balogh at 8 p.m. in Catlett Music Center’s Pitman Recital Hall.

Saturday, April 2 » Medieval Fair of Norman will begin at 10 a.m. in Reaves Park and run through 7 p.m. Sunday. » Women’s gymnastics will compete in the NCAA Regional Championship at 4 p.m. in Norman. » Baseball will play Texas Tech at 7 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park. » 97th annual student exhibition will hold its opening from 7 to 10 p.m. at the National Weather Center. » University Theatre presents Homer’s “The Odyssey” at 8 p.m. in the Weitzenhoffer Theatre.

Tickets will be $14 for students, $22 for adults and $18 for OU faculty and staff and senior adults.

COURSE: Bad reviews could impact careers Continued from page 1 faculty members’ personnel files, and the data cannot be released without their consent, Open Records Office Director Rachel McCombs said.

“Both the student evaluations and the supervisor’s evaluations ... are employee evaluations which are confidential and not available under the Oklahoma Open Records Act,” McCombs said.

Under the provisions of the act, institutions may keep personnel records confidential “where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy such as employee evaluations.”

However, the act does not define employee evaluations. Under a subsequent

provision, any personnel records not specifically falling within the listed exceptions must be made available.

Students’ evaluations of their professors are considered employee evaluations because the university considers them part of the overall evaluation process, McCombs said.

“Quite unlike a customer review, these evaluations have a direct impact on the faculty member’s career

path, both for annual evaluations as well as for tenure review,” McCombs said.

Other public institutions within the Big 12 are split on whether course evaluations are considered public records.

Colorado, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech are required to release all courseevaluation data. Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Nebraska and Oklahoma State consider course-

evaluation data to be confidential. The University of Missouri releases evaluations only in part, said Tim Parshall, University o f Mi s s o u r i - C o l u m b i a Assessment and Research Center associate director.

UOSA officials see the importance of course evaluations for students and faculty, UOSA Vice President Cory Lloyd said. However, the issue has never been brought to their attention, he said.

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Sunday, April 3 » Medieval Fair of Norman will begin at 10 a.m. in Reaves Park and runs through 7 p.m. » Baseball will play Texas Tech at 1 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park. » Karen Kushner Solo Piano Recital will be held at 3 p.m. in Sharp Concert Hall. It is free to OU students. » University Theatre presents Homer’s “The Odyssey” at 8 p.m. in the Weitzenhoffer Theatre.

Tickets will be $14 for students, $22 for adults and $18 for OU faculty and staff and senior adults.

Monday, April 4

This year, more than 163,000 people will die from lung cancer—making it America’s

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Friday, April 1, 2011 • 3

OPINION

THUMBS DOWN ›› Voting turnout for UOSA elections was down more than 20 percent from last year

OUR VIEW

COLUMN

Vote like you mean it It’s time for a change. The Daily and candidates for UOSA Who is supposed to fight for students when tuition increasand Campus Activities Council have all spoken about poor es are looming? UOSA. Who acts as the voice of the students voter turnout, hoping to persuade students to vote. in Board of Regents meetings? UOSA. Who schedules events Voter turnout for UOSA was down at least 20 percent from like Sooner Scandals, parents’ weekends and the variety of last year, and CAC votes were down nearly 15 percent — but international nights? CAC. not for a lack of effort. UOSA presidential candidate Forrest We must realize just because we are not readily aware of Bennett could be seen going up and down the South Oval what these organizations do for us doesn’t mean they don’t during the final days of the campaign talking to students, fill important roles. hoping to convince them to vote.

Voting is too easy not to do it. Students didn’t even have to Unfortunately his — and all the other candidate’s — pleas leave their dorm rooms. All somebody had to do was go onfor students’ votes largely fell on deaf ears. line to the elections website, log in and pick Out of a possible 24,355 eligible voters, only their candidate. Barring any Internet emerWe must realize just gencies, a student could have voted in the 4,202 students chose to vote for UOSA president and vice president. time it takes to brush their teeth. because we are not How are our student leaders supposed However, we have another opportunity to readily aware of what to represent us if they do not know what we rectify this embarrassing situation. Because these organizations want? neither candidate in the CAC election sedo for us doesn’t College is an opportunity to gain realcured a majority of the vote, a runoff elecmean they don’t fill world experience before students actually tion will be scheduled between the two canenter the real world. Educating yourself on didates who received the most votes. important roles.” campaign issues and the candidates is an Greg Emde and Melissa Mock will conimportant aspect of the democratic process. Student-body tinue campaigning until the runoff election, which is still elections are a chance to take part in an election cycle with- unannounced. out the repercussions of taxes, bad international policies or We urge students to take a few minutes and visit The Daily’s the threat of war. spring election page to better educate themselves about Students should feel motivated to prepare themselves for Emde’s and Mock’s platforms. real-world politics. While some may feel UOSA is too ineffecJust because the campus dropped the ballot the first time tive to bother voting, having representatives who can medi- around doesn’t mean we are forced repeat past mistakes. ate between the administration and students is important to improving student experience at OU. Comment on this column at OUDaily.com

GUEST COLUMN

Campus bike-lane woes continue While it’s true pedestrians can and sometimes do get of that at a much more relaxed pace. hurt by bikers, the blame for these accidents cannot be Everybody stops at a crosswalk and looks both ways beplaced solely on the cyclists. As a bicyclist myself, I know fore crossing safely. So what’s the difference with the bike of the problems constantly facing us. But on the flip side, I lane? It’s much smaller than the crosswalks on Lindsey also walk around campus as well, and so I also understand Street and yet no one complains about crossing them, and the dangers of being a pedestrian. cars are much more dangerous than bikes.

I would hardly say the experience of almost being hit or Now, as for road laws, yes, bicyclists are required to stop actually being hit by a cyclist is traumatizing. I have been hit at red lights and stop signs, even though I’ve witnessed nuby a cyclist before, and while I had a bruise or two from the merous college students blaze through them in their loud, experience, I was mostly just embarrassed and annoyed. obnoxious cars. Also, I didn’t know about having to walk a I think it’s only fair if students who walk from place to bike across a crosswalk, although that makes sense. place complain about the bike lane, they should think I always signal when I’m turning. I raise my left hand about it from a cyclist’s point of view when I’m biking on Chautauqua first.

Avenue and am preparing to cross Let’s think of this in terms of size, I think it’s only fair if students over to the sidewalk on the corner of speed and direction.

Chautauqua and Delta Street. But who walk from place to place A regular student walking on the complain about the bike lane, this seems to have no affect. I am considewalk is much smaller in size than stantly being driven off the road to they should think about it from wait while the cars behind me pass. a bicycle. They don’t take up as much a cyclist’s point of view first.” space and they have more maneuI’ve practically given up hope of cars verability. A pedestrian is capable of paying any attention to me so I pull moving from side to side just as easily as they are of mov- over until the road is clear before crossing. ing forward and backward. A bicycle is rather long with Since bicycles are vehicles and have just as much right handlebars that stick out and can only move forward and to roads and sidewalks as everyone else, is it fair that we glide from side to side while moving forward. should be harassed by drivers who honk at us, yell at us to On the South Oval, the bike lane is clearly marked by a get off the road and drive past us so close it leaves me shakpainted bike on the walkway. Bicyclists love this lane and ing from a severe adrenaline rush? Must we then deal with we take advantage of it whenever we can. pedestrians, who must be yielded to by every vehicle, comHowever, there are times when a student must cross the plaining about crossing a three foot wide bike lane on the bike lane to reach the pedestrian walking area or one of the South Oval? many sidewalks that crisscross the oval. That’s perfectly I’m sorry, but that’s just ridiculous. understandable, but hardly anything to complain about.

How about the university put in more bike lanes built speSo a pedestrian has to look both ways before crossing — cifically for bikers and restricted to pedestrians? But then, so what? So do cyclists. We don’t want to get hit by other there would be more complaints about “not enough room bikers any more than the next person. Actually, we have for pedestrians to walk,” or “the bikers cross the sidewalks much less time to look both ways, calculate whether a bike to get to their bike lanes,” or the kicker, “the bikers hit us is coming too fast or slow enough for us the join in the traf- when we try to cross their bike lanes to get to buildings.” fic, and then merge into the lane than a pedestrian does.

Just face it. It’s a no-win situation. All we can do is accept As I said above, a bike must be moving in order to turn things as they are, respect one another and go on with life. and most cyclists are still biking as they’re thinking, calcuRemember, it’s the bike lane, not the pedestrian lane. lating, planning and then merging. A biker can stop like a pedestrian would, but why would we? It’s our lane, after — Emily Merrick Sullivan, all. Plus, we’d have to push off and peddle harder and fast- professional writing sophomore er to build up our speed again so we don’t block other bikers who may be behind us. A pedestrian can stop and do all Comment on this column at OUDaily.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

UOSA leaders should use The Daily UOSA is always looking for suggestions. They had the Night at the Huff and UOSA & Puppies. There are more than enough opportunities for students to get their ideas out to leaders on campus.

However, one resource I think UOSA doesn’t use is The Daily. I have written a few articles about what could be improved on campus, and I have definitely read a few columns that have stated problems that include very realistic solutions.

Yet, as a student body, we never hear anything about those problems. UOSA asks for suggestions, but doesn’t show the student body

Meredith Moriak Chase Cook Chris Miller Tim French James Corley

contact us

Tim French, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

all the ways the group has helped in the past : in other words, its capabilities.

In order for students to feel comfortable making suggestions we have to know what would be feasible for UOSA to do. Also, the suggestions that are made through the paper should be taken into consideration.

When students go to UOSA & Puppies, I believe the vast majority are going for puppies more than for UOSA. They really aren’t thinking about issues with the campus. If UOSA wants real suggestions they should use The Daily.

T h e a r t i c l e “ V i r g i n i a Te c h

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor

Autumn Huffman Ashley West Chris Lusk Michael Lloyd Judy Gibbs Robinson

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

phone: 405-325-3666

deserves fine” is a great example.

It is a real problem with a simple solution.

Moreover, UOSA needs to not only read the suggestions that are made through the paper, but then communicate with the paper to show what they have done with that suggestion, like a follow-up story.

Then, students would know what UOSA is, what the organization is doing on campus and what suggestions students need to make. And that’s my suggestion for UOSA. — Kimm Johnson, University College freshman

Life & Arts Editor Photo Editor Online Editor Multimedia Editor Editorial Adviser

email: dailynews@ou.edu

Republicans make no effort to reduce deficit Since last year, State Fa r m h a s a i r e d c o m STAFF COLUMN UMN mercials highlighting the lengths to which Andrew Cook ook Americans will go to save money. My personal favorite features a group chastising their friend for driving around in order to get gas at two cents cheaper per gallon. I found this commercial to be hilarious until our government began to do the same thing.

When Republicans won back a majority in the House of Representatives as a result of the 2010 midterm elections, they vowed to do anything necessary in order to stop the growth of the federal deficit and to put our economy on a sounder footing.

I am not However, Republicans, and saying that more specifically tea party$5 million is leaning Republicans, have not chump change, only failed to live up to their but relative promise, but have taken steps to the multito either waste taxpayers’ time or sink us further into debt. trillion dollar I should have been weary federal budget, of the newly elected majorI feel our ity’s efficacy following the failrepresentatives’ ure of Democrats after their time could ascent to power in 2006 and 2008, but I held onto a small have been fraction of hope that our new better spent representatives would be willon issues such ing to work together to solve as plugging our daunting economic probloopholes in the lems. Unfortunately, they tax code.” seem to have quickly learned theatrics make better news than substance.

So what has Congress done since Jan. 5? They began by reading the “entire” Constitution aloud on the House floor for the first time ever.

This sounded like a good idea, until they conveniently omitted any mention of either slavery or Prohibition.

Congress then proposed the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which seems as if it might be fiscally responsible, except it is already illegal for the federal government to “fund” abortions.

Another legislative gem pursued by the new Congress was the partisan-named Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act. Despite Republicans’ outcries that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, would bankrupt the country, the Congressional Budget Office — the economists who project the financial consequences of legislation — reported keeping the legislation would save $132 billion between 2012 and 2019, whereas repealing the law would add $119 billion to the deficit over the same period.

Last, but not least, the Republican-controlled House voted to end federal funding for National Public Radio.

Despite the fact that this was a purely symbolic and ideological vote, since the Democratic Senate will vote the bill down, it is interesting to see how much we could have “saved” had the bill become law.

According to the Associated Press, NPR received a whopping total of $5 million from the federal government in fiscal year 2010. I am not saying that $5 million is chump change, but relative to the multi-trillion dollar federal budget, I feel our representatives’ time could have been better spent on issues such as plugging loopholes in the tax code.

To be fair, Democrats must take the blame for rolling over and extending the fiscally irresponsible Bush era tax cuts. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, extending these tax cuts will cost the federal government $3.28 trillion between 2011 and 2018. In addition, it is currently unknown how much the “humanitarian” mission in Libya will cost, let alone how long we will be there.

So what has Congress done since Jan. 5?

The answer: not a whole lot.

However, it is our responsibility as citizens to hold our representatives accountable for their rhetoric. Next election, we must elect officials who realize words alone will not fix our economic problems, raising taxes and cutting spending are not mutually exclusive solutions and working together and compromising is not flipflopping, but the cornerstone of our democracy. I guess until then, the show must go on.

— Andrew Cook, English writing junior

Comment on this column at OUDaily.com

Join the conversation at

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice.

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

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be edited for space. Students must list their major and classification. Submit letters Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters also can be emailed to dailyopinion@ou.edu.

Our View is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board, which consists of the editorial staff. The board meets at 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

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

4 • Friday, April 1, 2011

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TOWNHOUSES FURNISHED

APTS. FURNISHED Summer Rental at Campus Lodge - April or May 1 through August 15, $400/mo includes all utilities, cable, internet, swimming pool, gym, free tanning. Furnished, private bedroom & bath, shared kitchen with all appliances. Can choose own unit & roommates. Call Phil 313-2337

Large T/H for rent! 2bd/1.5ba, patio, pool! $649 - Call 290-8864.

J

Housing Sales

HOUSES APTS. UNFURNISHED 2 bd apt, BILLS PAID, smoke free, no pets - 360-3850 RENT NOW!! $99 DEPOSIT! NO APP FEE! 2 Bedrooms Available!

Pets Welcome! Alarm Systems!

Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

Elite Properties 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com

3 BR/2 BA for sale. 1712 Sumac Dr. Shown appointment only. Amanda Thompson 641-2409. Email amanda. m.thompson-1@ou.edu

MOBILE HOMES Mobile Home For Sale in Goldsby: 1999 Clayton, 3bd/1ba, 3 car port, fenced yard, covered front deck. $20,000 - 301-5105

Next to OU Med Ctr, 727 E. Culbertson, 2 bd w/ofc, $560; 1 bd, 1 bth, $375, 90% med student occupied, cozy & quiet apts, water pd. Haley, 405-826-0983.

STOP! LOOK! LEASE! Students Receive 5% Discount!

Sooner Crossing 321-5947 www.soonercrossing.com FREE Basic Cable & Water Sparkling Pool, 24/7 Laundry on site!

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Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521.

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

Blueberries and red beans are powerful remedies against cancer. Research shows that fruits, vegetables, and other low-fat vegetarian foods may help prevent cancer and improve survival rates. A plantbased diet can also help lower cholesterol.

POLICY 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.

For a free nutrition booklet with cancer fighting recipes, call tollfree 1-866-906-WELL or visit www.CancerProject.org

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.

OU Student Media is a department within OU’s division of Student Affairs.

For accommodations on the basis of disability, please contact 405.325.2521.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

2 col (3.25 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ..............$760/month Boggle ...............$760/month Horoscope ........$760/month

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

Training provided. 1-800-965-6520 x133.

J Housing Rentals

FIND A JOB in the CLASSIFIEDS

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

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

Sanctuary Water Gardens: job opportunities working with mature wetland plants.

Career opportunity for individuals ready to graduate and take over the state’s only aquatic nursery. Call Victoria at 761-5601

HELP WANTED

PAYMENT s r r

J Housing Rentals

C Transportation

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

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

9

help is just a phone call away

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.

number

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

crisis line

325-6963 (NYNE)

OU Number Nyne Crisis Line

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

except OU holidays and breaks

Spring Specials

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HOROSCOPE

Best apartment value in Norman!!!

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2010, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Friday, April 1, 2011

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1 bd 1 ba 748 SF $430 2 bd 1 ba 832 SF $465 2 bd 2 ba 880 SF $475 2 bd 2 ba 968 SF $505 2 bd 2.5 ba 1150 SF - TH $595 3 bd 3.5 ba 1350 SF - TH $695 364-3603 No Pets

Georgian Townhomes 1 bd 1 ba 675 SF $425 2 bd 1 ba 875 SF $485 Apartments 1 bd 1 ba 748 SF $420 2 bd 1 ba 900 SF $485 3 bd 1 ba ABP 1000 SF $670

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2072 W. Lindsey BISHOP’S LANDING

Monday- Friday 8:30-6 p.m.

Saturday 1-5 p.m.

1932 W. Lindsey Near Campus Across from Duck Pond

360-7744

Eff, 1 & 2 Bed Apartments

333 E. Brooks (one block east of OU.) ** No pets *Effective rent allows for comp. with apts. that are not all bills paid

2 8 7 5 1 2 8

3

3 1 9 7 8 7

5 2 6 5 8

4

9 5 1 4

Previous Solution 5 3 4 8 2 7 6 1 9

2 6 7 1 9 3 8 4 5

8 9 1 5 6 4 7 3 2

1 5 6 2 3 8 9 7 4

7 8 9 6 4 1 2 5 3

4 2 3 9 7 5 1 6 8

6 4 8 3 1 2 5 9 7

9 7 2 4 5 6 3 8 1

3 1 5 7 8 9 4 2 6

Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard

3 9 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.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- The reason why people in your charge are likely to be more productive than their counterparts is because you’ll go out of your way to help them when they need extra consideration.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -People, not possessions, will help fulfill your hopes and expectations.

Your success, power and happiness all come from those who care about you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- For some unknown reason, you’ll be far more adroit at balancing work and play than usual. You’ll take care of all that needs doing and still find ample time to enjoy yourself.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- If you clearly define your hopes and expectations, you’ll have a better chance of achieving what you want.

You can’t feel and probe your way to success; you must know the route well.

From $263/mo

M-F 8:30-5:30, Sat 1-5p.m.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Normally you’re not easily fooled, yet it is possible that you could be hoodwinked if the story comes from someone you trust. If it concerns a serious subject, a little skepticism wouldn’t hurt.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -Someone who cares greatly about you might make a decision for you without first getting your say-so.

What this person does for you will be smarter than what you would have done.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Unless you put your mind to it, you could be far too lax about the management of commercial or financial matters. Try to be careful in handling your affairs, but even more so if they involve another.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Be very explicit and deliberate when dealing with others on a one-onone basis. Don’t expect things to work out as you wish if you leave others uninformed or confused about your intentions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Your greatest gratification will come from successfully finishing an ambitious project. Both your image and ego will be intact when you cross that finish line.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Because your perceptions about both people and events will be extremely accurate, you’ll be able to utilize this gift to great advantage.

Make all judgment calls yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -There are strong and encouraging possibilities for turning a profit in unlikely circumstances. It will come about through something you do independent of others.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Having a strong sense of self-awareness will prove to bring you enormous success. To make it even better, however, look out for the interests of others as well as your own.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker April 1, 2011

ACROSS 1 Blacken on the barbecue 5 Weapon’s handle 9 La ___ (Milan landmark) 14 Indigenous people of Japan 15 Eclectic assortment 16 Goldfinger’s first name 17 Way of enticement 20 Newscast segment 21 “The ___ Squad” (’60s-’70s TV drama) 22 Ali, originally 23 It takes forever 24 “___-ching!”

26 Heroic tale 28 Follow, as advice 30 Mascara and the like 34 Air traffic control org.

37 Grows older 39 Arizona city 40 At issue 44 Country singer Haggard 45 Tattooist’s surface 46 Explosive stuff 47 Became weatherworn 49 Darned thing 51 Cleanliness eschewer 53 A Bobbsey twin 54 “... long,

4/1

long ___” 57 Deeply engrossed 60 Span of history 62 Hunting dog 64 Alee 67 Jiggling dessert 68 Wind quintet instrument 69 Skin-lotion additive 70 Freud contemporary 71 Emotional state 72 One with top billing DOWN 1 Effect’s partner 2 Hefty ballerina in “Fantasia” 3 “Three Sisters” playwright Chekhov 4 Rhine tributary 5 Unit of measure equal to 63 gallons 6 Taking after 7 With “The,” a John Grisham book 8 Hullabaloos 9 ___ Leandro, Calif.

10 Hostess offerings 11 Asia’s shrinking ___ Sea 12 “Kiss Me Deadly” singer Ford

13 In need of a massage 18 Cut with acid 19 Dutch cheese 25 Auspices 27 Gangsters’ guns 29 Study stations 31 Give off 32 “Once ___ a midnight dreary ...”

33 Confined (with “up”) 34 Do a slow burn 35 Copycat 36 Spherical hairdo 38 Heir 41 Not the modern method 42 Angler’s buy 43 Like a check waiting to be deposited 48 Action-

oriented person 50 Proposal joint 52 Dustpan’s partner 54 At an angle 55 Birthplace of Columbus 56 Pick from a menu 57 Indian prince (Var.) 58 Bowled over 59 Gloomy atmosphere 61 Pulpit, of yore 63 “___ the night before Christmas ...”

65 “___ crying out loud!”

66 “The Man Who Knew ___ Much”

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

3/31

© 2011 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

THAT’S SUPER, MAN By Clint Avery

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

Friday, April 1, 2011 • 5

SPORTS Also on OUDaily.com

|

OUDAILY.COM ›› Ana-Maria Constantinescu (shown left) and OU to face Missouri on Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

SOFTBALL » Sooners to play first conference road series against Texas Tech

|

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

GYMNASTICS » Men to compete in MSPF conference championships Saturday

BASEBALL WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS

Red Raiders next Big 12 test for OU Team returns to diamond after pair of cancellations, hosts Texas Tech in three-game weekend series RYAN GERBOSI The Oklahoma Daily

After a tumultuous week that included the cancellation of two games and a last-minute matchup, the No. 7 Sooners resume conference play against Texas Tech on Friday night.

The final matchup of OU’s three-game series against Missouri was canceled because of rain, so the Sooners beat St. Gregory’s, 21-3, on Sunday in a makeup game.

The Sooners were supposed to play No. 13 Arkansas on Tuesday, but rain in Fayetteville, Ark., led to the second cancellation this week for Oklahoma.

OU will take on a Texas Tech Red Raiders team that is 17-8 and has won four-of-six conference games.

In their last series, the Red Raiders took two-of-three from Nebraska.

OU has had recent success against Texas Tech, beating WHAT: OU vs. Texas Tech them in 15 of the last 20 meetWHEN: 6:30 tonight, ings. The Sooners also hold a 14-3-1 advantage in the last 7 p.m. Saturday, 18 games in Norman.

1 p.m. Sunday Leading the Sooners is seWHERE: L. Dale Mitchell nior ace Michael Rocha, who Park, Norman has dominated every team he has faced this season.

WATCH: Game 2, ESPNU Rocha is 6-0 with an ERA of 0.96, tying him for first in wins nationally. Rocha’s 42 strikeouts are good for first on the team, and his five walks are the lowest of any starter.

Starting opposite Rocha on Friday will be Tech freshman right-hander David Paiz. Paiz is 3-0 with a 4.15 ERA. The middle game of the series, at 7 p.m. Saturday, will be televised on ESPNU. The pitching matchup will feature two righties — Bobby Shore for OU and Trey Maseck for Texas Tech. Shore is 2-1 with a 5.29 ERA, and Maseck is 1-1 with a 3.67 ERA. Shore is tied for third on the team with 20 strikeouts.

Burch Smith will throw for OU on Sunday, bringing in a 3-2 record in six starts. Smith has a 3.86 ERA in 32.1 innings.

Facing Smith will be Texas Tech southpaw Robbie Kilcrease, who is 3-0 with a 4.21 ERA. OU will host Oklahoma State in a nonconference Bedlam showdown Tuesday before traveling to Manhattan, Kan., for a three-game series with Kansas State.

If you go

JAMES CORLEY/THE DAILY

The OU women’s gymnastics team poses in the trophy room at Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center. The Sooners hope to add a trophy of their own in the Super Six by advancing from Saturday’s NCAA Regional at Lloyd Noble Center.

Oklahoma to host NCAA Regional Sooners compete in seventh-straight postseason, host regional competition for first time in 4 years GREG FEWELL The Oklahoma Daily

The Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team hosts an NCAA Regional Championship for the first time since 2007 at 4 p.m. Saturday at Lloyd Noble Center.

The Sooners earned the top seed in the regional and will compete against No. 7 Utah, No. 17 Washington, conference foe Missouri, New Hampshire and North Carolina. OU, at 17-1, is ranked fifth in the nation; however, the team is coming off of its first loss of the year and first loss at the Big 12 Championships in four years.

The Sooners will have to overcome some serious competition to take the regional title. Utah is a powerhouse and is the only program in the nation that has qualified

for all 35 NCAA Championships. Even the lowest-seeded team, North Carolina, proved it can put up a contest by becoming the lowest seed in history to win the EAGL conference title last weekend.

Oklahoma should not be intimidated by the competition, though. On their way to a perfect regular season, the Sooners posted wins against 10 top-25 teams. They also are accustomed to the postseason environment as one of only five programs nationally to qualify for the NCAA Championships seven years in a row.

But despite all of the victories Oklahoma has under its belt, it is a pair of losses that drive the Sooners more than anything else.

Read the full story at

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Also happening this weekend in OU sports TODAY » Softball OU vs. Texas Tech, 6:30 p.m. in Lubbock, Texas SATURDAY » Softball OU vs. Texas Tech, 11 a.m. in Lubbock, Texas » Women’s tennis OU vs. Missouri, 1 p.m. in Columbia, Mo. » Men’s gymnastics MPSF Championships, 4 p.m. in Colorado Springs » Track and Field Texas Tech Open All day in Lubbock, Texas Arkansas Spring Invitational All day in Fayetteville, Ark.

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YOU ARE INVITED! Public Master Classes

Marilyn Horne Former Star of the Metropolitan Opera, praised by critics as having “the greatest voice of the 20th Century”

ALL WEEKEND » Women’s golf Liz Murphey Classic Athens, Ga.

7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 5 and Friday, April 8 Pitman Recital Hall Catlett Music Center OU Arts District Free and Open to the Public For more information, go to http://music.ou.edu/home/news.html

- THE PRIDE OF OKLAHOMA

6 • Friday, April 1, 2011

The Oklahoma Daily | OUDaily.com

LIFE&ARTS

OUDAILY.COM ›› A modern adaptation of ‘The Odyssey’ will debut at 8 tonight in the Weitzenhoffer Theatre

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

MEDIEVAL FAIR

Vendors, volunteers set scene for weekend Vendors, electricians work to ensure fair is ready for this weekend

Fair fans find unique methods to participate in Medieval Fair

EMILY HOPKINS The Oklahoma Daily

It takes a troop of people and plans to keep the Medieval Fair of Norman afloat every year.

From the craft vendors in the booths to the electricians that keep the music loud and even to the fairy dust, every aspect of the fair is just as important as the last.

The fair opens today, but volunteers say they have been hard at work on the set-up at Reaves Park since Wednesday, making sure NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY every detail is magical.

Franette Stratton of the Flying Cotton Brothers braids decorations to their stand Wednesday at

AMPLIFICATION James Keeler and Pat Figaro are two of only four electricians responsible for powering the entire fair.

It takes the electricians three days to set up and one day to tear everything down.

They employ 400 to 500 amps of power, with four distribution centers set up in quads. “It’s really just supply and demand,� Figaro said. “The amount of power changes yearly. It’s slightly more this year than last year.�

During the fair, there is always one man on duty in case anything goes wrong. “With all the booths, all the lights and all the people, we have to stay alert to any problems,� Keeler said.

GRUB Nothing says fair food more than corn dogs, pickles, nachos and lemonade.

Shannon Hoopingarner’s booth is one of several that will provide these staples for

Reaves Park to prepare for the Medieval Fair this weekend. The fair starts today and ends Sunday.

If you go WHAT: 35th Annual Medieval Fair WHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday to Sunday WHERE: Reaves Park the Medieval Fair. This is her 13th year at the fair, but she said each time is a little different than the last. She has more than 1,000 lemons and 500 pickles on order but said she may have to order more if business is booming. “This is a really great show to start off the season,� she said. “Everyone is very friendly, and it’s a great family atmosphere.�

Ho o p i n ga r n e r w o rk s her booth at several other fairs throughout the year,

including Mayfest in Tulsa Swendson.

His parents started the and the Colorado State Fair.

Swendson Wooden Swords FAIRIES and Shields Shop over 18 Susan Stewart is in her years ago; she’s been in the 32nd year of being the fairy ceramic pot business for godmother of the Medieval more than 15 years.

Fair.

The pair met one fateful Her wands, beaded head day at the Castle of Muskogee garlands, silk unicorns and Renaissance Festival – and, other princess items are in like a story straight out of high demand. She works a fairy tale, they fell in love, hard throughout the year got married and now have a to prepare for this busy 3-year-old. weekend, cutting out all the “It’s always like getting wooden hearts and stars back together with family,� by hand, rounding out the Tracey said. dowels and decorating every Like other fair veterans, piece with glitter, sparkles the Swendsons work on their and ribbon. products all year. “When I put a wand in a “It all depends on the little girl’s hand, seeing her weather,� Scott said. “It’s face light up is the greatest hard to talk numbers. We feeling,� Steward said. don’t really know until it’s going on whether or not we’ll need to make more items.�

FAIRY TALES The fair season is a family affair for Scott and Tracey

Nursing senior Nicole Ridgeway is involved with this year’s Medieval Fair of Norman as a member of The Arthurian Order of Avalon, a group that stages human combat chess games.

Ridgeway joined the group after her brother became involved.

The Arthurian Order of Avalon has an active membership of 70 people, and Ridgeway insists the relationships with fellow members are a big reason why she is in the group. “For me, it’s the camaraderie involved, team members kind of become your family,� Ridgeway said. “Actually, both my brother and my mother are involved, so they literally are my family.�

The organization is a non-profit and open to any new members. When they are not performing at medieval fairs, Ridgeway said they are holding performances at schools, libraries and parks. Giving kids a fun and educational outlet is one of the main goals of The Arthurian Order of Avalon. “We have a lot of teenagers in our group,� she said, “We give them swords in exchange for not doing drugs and making good grades in school.�

Like Eckhart, Shayna Grove, math graduate student, expanded her horizons with a fascination of medieval fairs. “I’ve always been into the medieval fair thing, and one of the personas that I thought about playing one year was a jester,�

Grove said. “But it didn’t seem right for me to be a jester if I didn’t know how to juggle.�

Grove tried to teach herself but was unsuccessful until she met her academic adviser. Also a juggler, he taught her the correct form, and together they formed a student organization called The OU Impeccable Jugglers Association.

The group meets weekly for social juggling sessions.

After members grasp basic skills, they can move on to more advanced tricks. Grove said that when the weather is nice they often juggle outside. “We have had people join our group from watching us juggle on campus,� she said. “And as far as organizing our first time to juggle at the Medieval Fair, it has been the biggest thing we have done all year.�

Medieval fairs play a large role in both Ridgeway and Grove’s lives, but for Eckhart they have taken on an even greater significance. “Through these fairs, I found a group of people that were like a family and were very supportive and accepting,� Eckhart said. “I have found a very close knit community that doesn’t exclude outsiders.� — Janna Gentry/The Daily

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