Sports: Is Scott Brooks’ job on the line? (Page 8)
L&A: The May Fair celebrates its 40th year in Norman (Page 6)
Opinion: NBA owner’s comments show racism isn’t dead (Page 3)
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TRAFFIC
Student Congress says yes to ‘right on red’ rule New law would benefit pedestrians and drivers KATE BERGUM
Campus Reporter @kateclaire_b
The Undergraduate Student Congress recently passed a resolution that would eliminate the rule that prohibits right turns at red lights at campus intersections. The Student Government Association passed the resolution at the April 22 Undergraduate Student
Congress meeting eliminating the rule that prohibits right turns at red lights among campus intersections. Brock Shetley, who authored the bill with OU Police Department Lt. Eric Grubbs, said the resolution would affect the Boyd Street and Asp Avenue intersection, the University Drive and Boyd Street intersection, the Lindsey and Elm Street intersection and the Lindsey Street and Asp Avenue intersection. The current rule creates a safety hazard because pedestrians and vehicles enter crosswalks at the same time
— when the light turns green, according to the bill. An officer who knew about Shetley’s involvement with student government approached him and asked him if there was a way to change the rule on campus, Shetley said. Shetley works in the OUPD office filing records and is the student congress representative for the College of Continuing Education district. The officer said he’d heard many pedestrian complaints about the current rule and had seen cars almost hit SEE TRAFFIC PAGE 2
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Dark skies roll over Norman
STUDY AID
Have time management issues? OU’s got your back Freshmen key demographic for student success series seminar AMBER FRIEND Campus Reporter @amberthefriend
With finals looming, students gathered to learn about priority management, focus and achieving one’s goals at a procrastination seminar Monday in Wagner Hall. Lisa Portwood, assistant dean of University College, taught the seminar as part of the Student Learning Center’s Student Success Series. The Student Success Series offers free workshops throughout the year that teach students — especially freshmen — skills and strategies to help them succeed in college, according to the Student Success website. An admitted procrastinator, Portwood explained how procrastination ultimately threatens students’ goals of earning a degree and succeeding at their university. “The good news is that everybody procrastinates,” Portwood said. “The bad news is that everybody procrastinates.” Portwood gave the students a survey to illustrate the different degrees of procrastination: • those who do it on occasion but will definitely finish their tasks • those overwhelmed by too many priorities • those unmotivated to succeed • those too stressed to escape an endless cycle of late or incomplete work Portwood offered many strategies for beating procrastination. She said students should keep track of their tasks and assignments, prioritize them by what is due sooner or holds more weight and follow the list. If it’s necessary to cram, Portwood said students should focus on a chapter’s introduction, section headers, illustrations and conclusion rather than trying read the whole chapter. Portwood advised students to stay on top of their material by reviewing their notes within 24 hours of taking them because studies show students who do that retain 50 percent more information. Students should also use resources such as counseling, tutoring and peers who can encourage them and keep them working, Portwood said. University College freshman Jonathan Young said he often puts assignments off until the last minute, and Portwood’s tip to work in a quiet, secluded environment and to wait to talk with friends was useful. “Removing distraction is a big one,” Young said. Overall, Portwood reminded students to tackle large assignments one piece at a time, avoid distractions and focus on the aspects they like or enjoy about a project to motivate them to start it. University College freshmen Sean English and Josh Hope recognized some of Portwood’s lesson in their own anti-procrastination techniques, such as planning ahead, taking tasks piece-by-piece and holding each other accountable. “We’ll go and hang out for a little bit and then we’ll force ourselves to get something done or get it started,” Hope said.
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Amber Friend, ambermfriend@ou.edu
University College freshmen Esebe Masango and Chandler Funderburg spend time outside before the bad weather blows in Monday.
MONEY
Grad. students struggle to find financial aid Federal loans and other grants not available for some KELLY ROGERS Campus Reporter @KellyRogersOU
One OU graduate student found the difference in scholarships offered to graduate and undergraduate students may be the determining factor in studying abroad. Mary Newport, first year journalism graduate student, said she’s had a difficult time finding scholarships she qualifies for as a graduate student, especially for study abroad programs. Ne w p o r t sa i d s h e ap p l i e d f o r t h e Presidential International Travel Fellowship, which is based heavily on the demonstrated financial need of a student, because she has WEATHER Windy with a few showers developing later in the day. High near 65F.
Graduate students are still gotten that sort of aid before eligible for need-based loans, through OHLAP and Perkins and the application process loans. is the same for undergraduAfter applying, she found ates and graduates, but the her chances of becoming a choices are more limited for recipient dwindled because graduates than for undershe was a graduate student. graduate students because “I understand they can’t they already have a degree, give everyone a scholarLyon said. ship, but it rankles to be told Though numbers in the graduate students are lower MARY NEWPORT OU Factbook show that gradpriority than everyone else,” JOURNALISM GRADUATE uate student enrollment Newport said. STUDENT numbers have steadily deFinancial aid adviser Stacy creased since 2010, the uniLyon said although graduate students are not eligible for Pell Grants or versity’s push for students to study abroad unsubsidized loans like undergraduate stu- is strong, increasing every year since 2008. Suzette Grillot, dean of the College of dents, there are grad plus loans that could provide alternative funds for students re- International and Area Studies, said she has dealt with some graduate students who run turning to school.
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into issues finding funding for their studies — just as Newport has. “The funding available for study abroad scholarships is, unfortunately, not enough to fund all students who apply,” Grillot said. However, the difficulty in obtaining funds for studying abroad has not discouraged Newport. Instead it has made her even more determined. Newport found the Gaylord’s British Media Trip is one that seems to be tailor-made for her hopes to emigrate to England in the future. “I just can’t pass an opportunity like this up, so I’m scraping and skimping to make it,” Newport said. Kelly Rogers, kelly.n.rogers-1@ou.edu
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