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CRIME
Huff among areas with high theft Oklahoma Memorial Union also an area where students often report stolen items
“It’s a relaxed environment,” she said. “You don’t really see anyone do anything weird.” BY THE NUMBERS Stolen items recovered Jones frequently leaves her laptop, backpack and other property unattended in the union when she gets up to use Percent of stolen Percent of stolen the bathroom and feels comfortable doing so, she said. items recovered items recovered “Everyone kind of keeps to themselves,” Jones said. by OUPD from Sept. 2013 by OUPD from Sept. 2012 to Sept. 2014 to Sept. 2013 Music and biochemistry freshman Kayla Smith prefers to keep a close eye on her personal belongings. “I personally keep my stuff with me if I have to go to the bathroom or if I leave the room,” Smith said. She will, however, occasionally leave her backpack or records since Aug. 1, 2011. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and Traditions Square follow with 20 and 19 reported lar- other belongings unattended on the tables in the union. “I feel OK doing that ... usually I’m not going far away cenies, respectively. Communications junior Lynze Jones studies in the union from it,” Smith said. almost every day, she said. SEE THEFT PAGE 2
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PARIS BURRIS Crime Reporter @ParisBurris
The Huston Huffman Fitness Center, Oklahoma Memorial Union and Cleveland County YMCA have had the most reported thefts within the OU Police Department’s jurisdiction in the past three years, according to open records. The Huff has had 49 reported larcenies, and the union and YMCA have both had 37 reports, according to the
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LIGHTING UP THE HOLIDAYS
GIVE BACK
Big Event date announced for April 2015 Sooners reach out to community through annual service project JESSE POUND News Reporter @jesserpound
Students are already gearing up to help the greater Norman community this April. Big Event will be held April 11, said Evan Baldaccini, an entrepreneurship and supply chain management junior and the vice chair of public relations for Big Event. In the nearer future, students can submit T-shirt designs by 5 p.m. Wednesday to have their shirt worn by Big Event volunteers, Baldaccini said. More information about the contest can be found online at bigevent.ou.edu. For Big Event, OU students, faculty and staff work on service projects in the communities surrounding OU, including Norman and Oklahoma City, according to the event’s web page. Last year more 5,500 students participated, Baldaccini said. Big Event is a great way for students to reach out and help the community and cast college students in a positive light for citizens, Baldaccini said. Students can sign up to volunteer individually or in groups, Baldaccini said. Signing up is free and participants will also receive a free T-shirt for their service, Baldaccini said. Students will volunteer at over 150 sites in Norman and the Oklahoma City metro area, Baldaccini said. The Big Event staff has also created a way to help other groups do community service. Big Event is now offering supply rental for student organizations’ service projects throughout the semester, according to the event’s web page. SHAWNTAL BROWN/THE DAILY
President Boren flips the switch to turn on the holiday lights with elementary school students at the 2014 Lighting Ceremony Tuesday evening. The annual event kicks off holiday festivities on campus.
Jesse Pound, jesserpound@gmail.com
AROUND CAMPUS
College to hold open house with holiday refreshments All students, staff, faculty invited to free event with College of Arts and Sciences EMILY SHARP
When: 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday
News Reporter @esharp13
Where: College of Arts and Sciences, Ellison Hall
The College of Arts and Sciences will help students kick off winter break with a Holiday Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday in Ellison Hall. There is no cost to attend the event, which is open to all college students, staff and faculty. An annual event for over 10 years, the end of semester open house will host refreshments catered by Abbey Road Catering, said Angela Startz, public relations and marketing specialist for the College of Arts and Sciences. “It really hasn’t changed much in those 10 years,” Startz said. “The food is the only thing that changes ... [We made] a special request for their pumpkin mousse, served with gingerbread snaps. It’s a favorite.” Last year’s open house was held while snow and sleet enveloped campus, which made the event the most exciting
WEATHER Chance of showers today with a high of 50, low of 37. Follow @AndrewGortonWX on Twitter for weather updates.
GO AND DO Holiday Open House
Price: Free
open house yet, Startz said. “The campus had just been released as we were starting to set up,” Startz said. Last year, the caterers provided carry-out boxes so attendees could bring food back home before they were snowed in, Startz said. Although there is a chance of showers on Thursday, neither snow nor sleet is forecasted. JIANG JIAXIN/THE DAILY
Emily Sharp emily.a.sharp-1@ou.edu
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The College of Arts and Sciences has its offices in Ellison Hall. The college will host its free Holiday Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in Ellison Hall.
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