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L&A: Free Comic Book Day comes to Norman on Saturday (Page 6)

Sports: Sooners have chance to snap streak (Page 5)

Opinion: Botched execution? More like botched transparency (Page 3)

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APRIL SHOWERS

Sparse rainfall exacerbates drought With Oklahoma still in the midst of drought, a dry summer is predicted KELLY ROGERS Campus Reporter @KellyRogersOU

Drought conditions are intensifying across much of Oklahoma, and state climatologists report the lack of April showers could result in a lack of May flowers, at the least. This April has been the 12th driest April Oklahoma has experienced since 1895, according to an Oklahoma Climatological Survey press release, associate state climatologist Gary McManus said.

Oklahoma has recently experienced hot and dry weather and windy conditions, which contribute to the lasting drought. Both have had long-term and short-term effects on the state. These effects include wheat crop damage and increased fire danger, McManus said. “We’re hoping there will be relief, but it’s almost impossible to predict where the isolated storms are going to form in the springtime,” McManus said. McManus said collected weather data from previous situations can help climatologists make predictions for the upcoming seasons. Because of this data, McManus said Oklahoma’s summer could be very hot and dry.

The lack of rain, however, did result in a lower tornado total, McManus said. This April, Oklahoma had four tornadoes. Since 1950, Oklahoma’s average April tornado count has been 12. Additionally, the eastern part of the state still has full water reservoirs, McManus said. But without widespread rainfall, they may not stay that way. “It doesn’t have to be the same way every year, but in general, if you enter the summer season with drought in place, it’s more likely that the heat and dry conditions will intensify,” McManus said. Kelly Rogers, kelly.n.rogers-1@ou.edu

COMMUNITY

K-9

A more practical capstone project Seniors assisted on real-life renovation plan for final class MIKE BRESTOVANSKY Campus Reporter @BrestovanskyM

TAYLOR BOLTON/THE DAILY

Caesar and his handler Master Sergeant Greg Vollmer run through commands on Tuesday afternoon across from Adams Center. Caesar is a 3-year-old German Shepherd primarily trained in hazardous devices detection. He was trained entirely by OUPD officers and he was the first K-9 trained internally at the university. The two were OUPD’s Officers of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

Seven OU architecture and environmental design students will, like many other students, present their final capstone project next week — except their project aims to improve an entire community. The students will present their plan to renovate the Woods County Courthouse’s outdoor stage to be more accessible for future events. This plan will build on and improve upon a formal development plan formulated by the Oklahoma Arts Council, said Ronald Frantz, a s s o c i a t e a rc h i t e c t u re professor. Frantz started as an architectural consultant for the arts council’s Cultural District Initiative last SEE COMMUNITY PAGE 2

GRADUATION

Police dog Caesar’s skills on patrol and at major events a welcome addition to OUPD KATE BERGUM

Campus Reporter @kateclaire_b

ot all police officers on campus wear a uniform. Take, for example, a young officer named Caesar. His attributes include extensive training, certification, a mean sense of smell and a tail. In sum, he is one cool canine. Caesar, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, works with OU Police Department and Norman Police Hazardous Devices Unit and is one of the youngest officers on staff, even in dog years. Caesar’s handler, Master Sgt. Greg Vollmer, said Caesar is certified by the National Tactical Police Dog Association and the International Police Work Dog Association for explosives detection. “I always tell people I’m just his driver,” Vollmer said. “Instead of wearing a tuxedo, I wear a police uniform. I schedule his appearances and I’m kind of his manager, but he runs the show.” Caesar has been a part of OUPD since he was 6 weeks old. He was selected by Master Officer Brian Nelson with one other dog and trained in a residency program as part of a joint effort between OUPD and the Athletic Department to prepare OUPD to train their own police dogs, Vollmer said. Caesar came to Norman when he was 6 months old, and he has been working ever since.

WEATHER

Vollmer said, in addition to being trained for hazardous device detection, Caesar works with him on patrol. They also work behind the scenes at many large events, such as football or basketball games, Vollmer said. “We try to keep eyes on everything whenever there’re large crowds,” Vollmer said. One of Caesar’s biggest roles on the police force is reaching out to the community. He and Vollmer have sat in on floor meetings and faculty-in-residence events, Vollmer said. “Not only do we do the day-to-day patrol functions and hazardous devices detection, but we’re really large into community policing — building bonds with kids and stuff like that so that they feel that the police officers here at the university are approachable,” Vollmer said.

Colleges’ ceremony schedule released Commencement to take place May 9 STAFF REPORTS

Caesar has helped a great deal with projecting that approachable image, Vollmer said, which helps the police department complete its overall goals. “The better relationship we have with the students and everybody, the more effective we can be at protecting you and everybody else,” Vollmer said.

INDEX

@OUDaily

Campus......................2 Classifieds................4 Life&Ar ts..................6 Opinion.....................3, 4 Spor ts........................5

Mainly sunny. High 76F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. theoklahomadaily

OUDaily

SEE K-9 PAGE 2

University officials have announced individual college commencement and convocation ceremonies where graduates will be recognized. OU’s Norman campus commencement ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. May 9 at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Unless otherwise noted, all convocations will be held Saturday, May 10. The schedule is as follows: SEE GRADUATION PAGE 2