Friday, September 16, 2005
News 15th Street
Rose State College
6420 SE 15th Street, Midwest City, OK 73110
Vol. XXXV Issue 4
September 16, 2005
Student senate welcomes 12 newly elected members Bryan Trude Sports Editor
In elections held on Sept. 7 and 8, the RSC student body elected 12 new senators to the student senate. Two more were appointed as Division Merit Appointees. The new senators are political science major Charles Beattie, business major Kevin Fisher, liberal studies major Phillip Hall, engineering major Gina Pine, engineering major Jason Phillips, dental hygiene major Lynsie Walker, political science major Daniel McClure, business major Justin Jahanson, radiological technology major Tony Stelter, journalism major Bridget Hayes, nursing major Kristen Combs, liberal studies major Ashley Bresee, pre-education major Julie Cams and pre-nursing major Kaylea Brewer. “I want to secure more funding for RSC athletics,” Beattie said. “I really like politics, and I believe in being involved in politics at RSC. I think it’s a duty.”
The senate is led by the executive committee, composed of President Logan Reynolds, Vice President Yancy Scott and Treasurer Dustin Irving. There is currently no secretary. “First, I want to bring wireless Internet access to the students,” Fisher said. “I also want to bring competitive snack vending to the students to give them lower prices. I chose to run for senate because I wanted to make a difference.” The 12 new elected senators, who had to register to run for senate before Sept. 2, had from the date of registration until Sept. 8 to campaign for office. The senators were chosen out of a field of 27 candidates. “The first issue I want to address is the tickets that security is writing. I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and complain about that,” Hall said. “I also think we need more security presence around campus.” The DMAs were selected by
Photo Provided By:SCOTT EVENSON
Campus government begins planning for future, preparing for events
The 12 new student senators meet to discuss company policies and finances. The senators meet at 2 p.m. Tuesdays in the Student Center, Room 123, to make decisions concerning RSC. submitting their application for the position for approval by the dean of their respective departments. “I joined the senate because wherever I go, I really want to make a difference,”
said Combs. “This is my first year of college, and I think it would be really fun. I want to interact with the students, get to know everyone and be a part of my college.” The new senate held its first
meeting on Sept. 13 in the Senate Chambers, inside the Student Center. Meetings are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the chambers. “We are the first stop for getting things done around
campus,” Student Senate President Logan Reynolds told the new senators. “We are the middle man between the students and the administration.” btrude@rose.edu
Photos Provided By: JASON ANDERSON and DEVIN HORST
Proposed State Question 723 fails to raise gas prices for motorists
Gas prices from previous months may be more appealing to students. Defeated State Question 723 will prevent additional tax being added to fuel costs. The tax would have added an additional 5 cents to gasoline and 8 cents to diesel.
Heath Sitton Assistant Editor
As gas prices across the nation were continuing to raise, the Oklahoma legislature tried to pass a new bill that would increase prices at the pump even more. State Question 723 was proposed to add a provision to the State Constitution that would increase the tax of gas by 5 cents
per gallon and the tax of diesel fuel by 8 cents per gallon. The increase in gas taxing was to be phased in over a three-year period. During the first year, the tax of gas would increase by 2 cents with a 2 cents increase following the next year and finally an increase of 1 cent more within the third year. The tax on diesel fuel was to be spanned out over a four-year period. In the first year
the tax would increase by 2 cents with an increase in 2 cents following the next three years. The proposal would have created the Oklahoma Bridge and Highway Trust Fund, which would have received the bulk of the tax revenue. According to the proposal, SQ 723 specified that funding for state transportation would be stay at the current level or increase also additional fuel
building. They were selected after performing a short routine. “I think I did all right,” Jenks said. “Give or take, it doesn’t matter. It’s all good.” Rowdy the Raider was played last year by the student senate executive board, including Doug Richardson, Michael McStay and current Senate President Logan Reynolds. This year, Rowdy was played by criminal justice major Shawn Brown at the family orientation event at the beginning of the year. While serving as Rowdy, Teal and Jenks will receive full tuition waivers and book scholarships. The students will alternate playing Rowdy to fit their schedules,
with the members of the current Senate Executive Board serving as backups. “Having two RSC students as Rowdy the Raider will allow Rowdy to be represented at all RSC functions,” said Towry Barnard, director of student services. The judges who selected Rowdy the Raider during the tryouts were Barnard, Shawn Brown, Wellness Coordinator Liz Brown and Connie Myrick, director of Prospective Student Services. Each student’s routine, using music they brought from home, had to be completely self-made, with no restrictions or requirements put on by the judges.
tax not be used to displace current state spending. However, SQ 723 failed to pass on Tuesday, September 13. The proposal would have prohibited additional fuel tax revenue and the Bridge and Highway Trust Fund from being used to pay off bonds or other debt. The State Board of Equalization, the State Auditor and Inspector and a 12-member Oklahoma Highway
Oversight Commission would have overseen the new Trust Fund. According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation 3,000 miles, or nearly 1/4 of the highways and bridges under the state’s jurisdiction require rehabilitation. “In addition, 1,099 of 6,728 bridges on the state highway system are structurally deficient and another 534 are func-
tionally obsolete.” ODOT faces a backlog of $7 billion in maintenance and $8 billion in construction needs. The current fuel tax has remained constant since 1987 and under the current structure, ODOT cannot be sure of how much money it would receive from the State Transportation Fund until the Legislature make its yearly appropriation. However, Legislation will now have to organize a new plan to fix roads in Oklahoma. As many people know, Oklahoma’s roads and bridges are in a sad condition. However, could the Legislature increase funding for roads and bridges without increasing the prices of gas? “In my opinion,” said undeclared major Jennifer Escobedo “if the Oklahoma Legislature could control its money, such a bill would not have to be put into proposal.” During the 2005 session the Legislature allotted $69 million to pay bond debt, which has typically been paid out of highway maintenance money. The Legislature also approved a bill that in 2006 shifts $15 million in revenue that would usually go to the General Fund for constructing, maintaining and operating roads, highways and bridges. For more information visit the Web sites www.oksaferoads.com or www.oktaxpayers.org. jhsitton@rose.edu
Bryan Trude Sports Editor
It is seen at all RSC home games, public and private events and various photo opportunities throughout the year. Two new students were selected to take up the fuzzy Rowdy head as the new Rowdy the Raider on Sept. 2. Rowdy, introduced in 20042005 as RSC’s mascot, serves as a visual ambassador and promoter of school spirit. Jessica Teal, law major, and Josh Jenks, health, physical education and recreation major, were selected by a panel of four judges in tryouts held in the Health and Physical Education
College offers help for empty wallets. See story, Page 4.
Photo Provided By:SCOTT EVENSON
Two students try out, take over as 2005-2006 Rowdy the Raider mascot
While waiting for the judges’ decision, Jessica Teal and Josh Jenks fight over who is going to put on the Rowdy the Raider costume. Rowdy the Raider is modeled ing 16 Army bombers off of the Office in the Student Center, after a squad of 79 U.S. Army deck of the carrier U.S.S. Hornet, across from Rose Café, or call at pilots called the Doolittle Raid- striking at arms factories and oil 733-7379. Questions may also be sent by e-mail to Barnard at ers who, following the attack on reserves in Tokyo, Japan. For more information on Row- tbarnard@rose.edu. Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1942, performed a counterattack by fly- dy, visit the Student Activities btrude@rose.edu
Where have all the Drive- ins gone? See story, Page 6.
What crafty project is helping overseas? See story, Page 7.