What was the final score at UCO Game Day?
See story, Page 3.
Keep track of November holidays. See Calendar, Page 4.
Where are all of Oklahoma’s spooks?
See story, Page 5.
University Center opens; Cook says farewell
A bridge, a building and a legacy.
These are the things that were addressed, spoken about and honored in various forms on Wednesday, Oct. 25, during a series of ceremonies attended by college, community and state officials who gathered for three separate events all tied by one common theme – people can make a difference for themselves and for others.
Perhaps the biggest draw was a retirement reception held to honor Dr. James Cook, former RSC president, who celebrated not only his retirement, but his 60th birthday, as well.
The reception was held in the lobby of the Communications Center and more than 200 attendees from all over the community, including regents, administrators and personnel from the college, were in attendance.
Also attending were representatives from Sen. Tom Cole and Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin’s respective offices and dignitaries from Tinker Air Force Base, Midwest City and Del City, including city officials and Chamber of Commerce members.
Cook was presented with a number of honors, including plaques, coins and a medallion, as each speaker produced a litany of examples of how Cook epitomized dedication to changing people’s lives through education.
Dr. Terry Britton, RSC president, presented Cook with a photograph and plaque on behalf of the RSC Regents. The photograph will be on display in the Learning Resources Center and contains a quote that Cook was fond of saying, Britton said.
“Excellence is caring more than others think is wise; dreaming more than others think is practical; and expecting more than others think is possible,” Britton said, while quoting Cook.
Cook said that he has always tried to help people succeed in life, just as others have helped him.
“The one thing I’ve tried to be consistent in, throughout my public life, is to respect you – everyone I’ve met, every student who … tried to change their lives [through education] because education really does change lives for the better,” he said.
A ceremony was also held prior to Cook’s reception to officially cut the ribbon to the new University Center. The Center, when renovations are completed, will house classes for the University of Central Oklahoma students enrolled at RSC through a partnership with both.
The partnership is the accumulation of RSC’s longstanding “informal relationship” with UCO and will serve students – especially those stationed at Tinker because of
Julie Farris Contributing Writer
Auditions were held in September and 32 hopefuls showed their talents in an effort to become part of Neil Simon’s play, “The Good Doctor ” Out of the 32 who tried out, 14 will make it to the H.B. Atkinson stage the first two weekends in November.
“I was so excited when I found out I got the part,” Nitta Farlaino, theater major, said. “[My character] gets to jump on a desk, pull her hair out and faint.” However, casting decisions were not easy, Rick Nelson, theater professor and director of “Good Doctor,” said.
“This was a tougher decision [to cast] than I had thought,” Nelson said. “There were several people that I didn’t cast that I would have, but I ran out of roles.”
The play was originally meant to have only five actors to play all of the
(Above:) The University Center, which will provide room for students attending University of Central Oklahoma courses on the RSC campus, opens with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Oct. 25. (Left:) RSC President Dr. Terry Britton presents former RSC President Dr. James Cook with a plaque and photograph offered by Regents. (Below:) The Don Reynolds Memorial Bridge, located at I-40 and Sooner Road and joining the cities of Del City and Midwest City, is dedicated during a morning ceremony. Many community members and leaders celebrated the dedication. Reynolds is noted as the longest-standing Regent in the state of Oklahoma and served on RSC’s Board of Regents for more than 30 years.
the proximity of RSC to the base – by allowing them to pursue a bachelor’s degree right in their hometown, Britton said.
Prior to these events, late RSC Regent Don Reynolds was also recognized with the dedication of a bridge named in his honor. Reynolds was the longest-standing Regent in the state of Oklahoma and served the college for more than 30 years. The Don Reynolds Memorial Bridge is located at I40 and Sooner Road.
Similar to Cook, Reynolds also inspired people through a “people first” attitude
– which impressed upon Cook to continue in that mindset, he said.
“Most people [at the renaming ceremony] knew Don Reynolds,” Cook said. “He told me when I became president, ‘don’t forget the people. It’s all about the people. You can have all kinds of pretty buildings and lots of money, but if you forget about the people that you’re serving, then it doesn’t mean anything.’ He always told me, ‘God likes me when I work but He loves me when I serve.’” jpace@rose.edu
‘Good Doctor’ makes house call to campus
roles. However, Nelson believed that it would give the play greater diversity and perfection if he allowed more actors to get on stage, so he created 14 additional roles. Cast members do not always consist of only RSC students, Nelson said.
“Anyone can audition for any play regardless if you’re a theater major or even a student here,” he said.
“Good Doctor” is a play composed of a series of scenes, or vignettes, in which the only connecting thread is the character of the writer, Nelson said. In the play, Simon blends 19th century Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov’s, works with a Vaudeville experience that results in a hilarious tribute to Chekhov and the human condition.
ourselves in today,” he said.
Due to restructuring, Nelson said the department would only do one production per semester, instead of two. This will allow him and the actors an opportunity to put their efforts into the productions more fully.
Nelson will hold auditions for his next production, “Romeo and Juliet,” in the spring. This classic tale will keep the same text, but be set in a different era - the “roaring” ‘20s.
“[“Romeo and Juliet”] will be updated, but not contemporary,” Nelson said. “It will not be your standard Shakespeare.”
When auditioning, Nelson said he is looking for people who are lifelike and natural, with an unaffected manner.
“Even if the scene is heightened and comical, you want a sense of reality,” he said.
This production will be Nelson’s first at RSC. He decided to leave his adjunct position at Oklahoma City Community College after he heard good things about the RSC theater department. He wanted to be part of a full-time staff because it fostered more support for the productions, he said.
“I now have the opportunity to work full-time and devote myself fully to the program,” Nelson said.
Nelson’s plan for this production is simple.
“I want to tell the story so well that the audience will get a sense of the situations that the characters find themselves in [and see that they] are not unlike the situations we find
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2-4 and Nov. 9-11 and reservations and payment must be received by 5 p.m., Nov. 6. Admission for RSC students, faculty, staff and senior citizens is free; admission for other students is $2 and for all others, $3. A Dinner Theatre will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. and will cost $14 for students, staff and seniors, $16 for general public and $10 for children ages 12 and under.
“Once someone comes to see anything [at RSC], especially with the prices, if they like theater at all, they’re going to come back,” John Wilson, guest actor said.
For reservations, call Lisa Price at 736-0313. farrisnj@yahoo.com
Poster contest winners announced
The Domestic Violence Poster Contest, which was created to bring aware- he Domestic Violence Poster Contest which was created to awareness to the realities of domestic violence, was held Oct. 25 in the Main Dining Room. A total of 12 posters was submitted by students, but only four contestants attended the presentation portion of the contest, which was a requirement to be eligible for prize awards.
Dr. Joanne McMillen-Stafford, counselor and director of Special Services and Student Outreach, coordinated the event and ed event students discussed the ideas behind the construction of their posters while judges examined submissions. A few of the posters will be donated for future use in displays around the state or on campus.
Each contestant received a certificate and a an award chosen from a table of prizes. The 1st place winner, Yoko Collins, graphic design major, chose a Bonsai tree donated by Friends of the Central Highlands, Inc. Gisele Perryman, liberal studies major, chose a $250 scholarship from the RSC Foundation as her 2nd place award.
Nikki Kibe, radiology major, selected a combination package comprised of a children’s puzzle and $20 gift certificate from Learning Tree and a $20 gift certificate from Starbucks Coffee. Fourth place winner, Johnna Ray, journalism major, selected a $50 Wal-Mart gift certificate, donated by Prentice Hall. Other donated prizes were a $30 Follett Bookstore gift certificate and a pottery piece, handmade by RSC Professor John Carl Judges for the contest were Dean of Social Sciences Dr. Baillie Dunlap, Carolyn Sims of Public Relations and Marketing and Daniel McClure, student senate president.
(Contestants are pictured in order, left to right, beginning with 4th place.)
Photos by STACEY McENTIRE
Photo by DR. JOANNE McMILLEN-STAFFORD
Photo by JULIE FARRIS Actors rehearse for the fall ‘06 theater performance, “Good Doctor” with the assistance of Rick Nelson, director and theater professor.
Joshua Pace News Editor
Student ‘faces the music,’ learns MP3s costly
Joshua Pace News Editor
Listening to music over the computer or downloading it for later enjoyment has become an increasingly common method of obtaining songs – while the issue of whether people should pay for them has become a source of debate.
Legally speaking, the tilt appears to be toward those saying people should pay – thanks to a number of lawsuits that have been issued by the recording industry beginning in 2003.
What began as an Internet marvel, the program NAPSTER offered music lovers a chance to upload and download MP3s, compressed sound files that usually contain music, essentially turning every computer that had the program installed into a filesharing platform where music could be swapped.
After NAPSTER surfaced in 1999, many in the music industry noted an overall decline in album sales; of course, music insiders attributed this loss to NAPSTER and other file sharing programs.
Lawsuits began. At times, the controversy, perhaps, seemed almost entertaining. Rumor has it that in the heyday of NAPSTER, bands such as Offspring started selling pirated NAPSTER T-shirts at their concerts, invoking irony, which was likely their intent. Other bands, such as Metallica,
were often quoted spewing venom at the very mention of NAPSTER, as were many other pop stars to varying degrees.
Though NAPSTER eventually settled the lawsuits levied against them and, eventually, retooled their program to offer songs that are now available for purchase, many copycats emerged to offer what NAPSTER once did – free music.
Lawsuits continued – and this time, the Recording Industry Association of America turned their sights on the common downloader.
Or is it common uploader?
One RSC student, who asked not to be named in this article, was one such recipient of the aforementioned lawsuit – which was a surprise to her.
were apparently uploaded from our computer and that’s what attracted attention.”
She received a letter from her highspeed Internet access service provider, which
FREE MUSIC
“One day we got a letter in the mail that told us we were being sued,” she said. “We had a program where we occasionally downloaded music, but the service said it was free and we knew very little about all of this file-sharing stuff at the time.
“This program had a file sharing feature that we thought had been disabled, but it didn’t work. Files
stated they had been contacted by the RIAA.
“In order to identify the [125 customers who were named as defendants in this specific lawsuit], the RIAA has asked the court to
order [the Internet provider] to provide your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address from our records,” the letter said. The letter further stated that the company would comply with the court’s order pending the issue of a subpoena. Armed with this information, the RIAA issued their lawsuit, and a settlement was offered to the student at a “costly” amount. This amount was $3,750, according to a letter that was issued to the student by Holme, Roberts & Owen, LLP, the attorneys who represent the RIAA.
Faced with the prospect of either paying the settlement or taking a chance in court, which would certainly entail accumulated legal fees, the student chose to settle.
According to information released by the RIAA and made available on their Web site, the music industry is intent on sending a message to those who downloaded pirated music.
“The law is clear and the message to those who are distributing substantial quantities of music online should be equally clear: This activity is il-
Speaker provides ‘high tech’ motivation
Shannon Hoverson Assistant Editor
The Diamond Leadership series presented motivational speaker, Marlon Smith, Oct. 12 in the Communications Center.
The series is held each semester with a nationally-recognized motivational speaker and is held for RSC students, as well as the community.
“The purpose of the Diamond Leadership event is to give students additional leadership opportunities,” Dean of Students Dr. Jay Kinzer, said.
“The speaker was excellent, the main thing I got from him was the importance of action,” Jennifer Iwuchukwu, pre-nursing major, said. “If you have an idea or goal, you have to stick with it and be persistent and take action.”
Smith, the “High-Tech Motivator” earned his Bachelor of Science
from the University of Virginia.
He started his motivational company, “Success By Choice,” in 1992 as a way to present leadership training, team building and organizational development strategies to students.
He did so with the purpose of “inspiring young people to succeed,” according to his Web site, www.successbychoice.com.
“Most people play it safe,” Smith said. “Most people don’t want to step outside their comfort zone.”
During his hour-long speech, Smith told the assembled crowd how he hadn’t always had a drive to succeed in life.
He said that when he was in high school, his dream was to become a professional football player. But an injury in his sophomore year put an end to that dream.
“I was too cool for school,”
Smith said, adding he had a grade
point average of 1.6.
With the help of his teacher, he managed to get his grades up to a 2.8, then to 3.4 and finally he had a 4.0. At this point, he said, his friends told him he had to make a choice between his education and their friendship. He chose to get his education.
“You will never walk in greatness if you don’t step outside your comfort zone and step into the future,” Smith said.
Next, Smith discussed goals. He asked the audience how many of them had written their goals.
“There’s greatness in this room and it is time to step up,” Smith said, before instructing attendees to write down his “formula” for life.
• Goals
• Attitude
• Plan • Action
• Persistence
• Success
He concluded his talk by saying that to make goals become reality, people have to follow this formula – but they don’t have to do it alone. He told everyone that they could ask for help; they could lean on someone for support when they need it.
“I want to empower you,” Smith said. “When you walk out of this auditorium you can go ahead and make a difference in your life.”
“[Smith] showed the keys to his own life and how he succeeded,” Aaron Cunha, engineering major, said. “I think it was a good seminar to build your own success.”
For more information about the Diamond Leadership series, contact the Student Activities Office at 733-7376. For information about Marlon Smith, visit his Web site. shoverson@rose.edu
Raiders cheer Central’s Bronchos to victory
Shannon Hoverson Assistant Editor
Raiders showed their support of the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos at the football team’s Oct. 14 game against the Northwestern Oklahoma State College Rangers.
UCO Broncho Game Day began in 2005 as a way to get RSC students familiar with UCO and show them a taste of what university life is like.
“This year we had about 50 people enjoy the game,” Towry Barnard, Coordinator for Student Activities, said.
There were many activities for students, including pony rides and trying to throw a football using “beer” goggles – goggles that show the wearer what it is like to be intoxicated. “Flat Tire” hamburgers, fresh off the grill, were offered to all RSC students and faculty who attended and their families.
Attendees also had the opportunity to pick up UCO “cow bells,” logo “tattoos” and other UCO goodies.
“This year’s game was an exciting game,” Tanner Hayes, student senate vice president, said. “It was a hard fought game and very interesting to watch.”
Kick off was at 6 p.m. and Bronchos scored the first touchdown of the game. By the end of the first quarter, Rangers led 13-7.
In the second quarter, Bronchos managed to get ahead by scoring yet another touchdown, but the Rangers managed to turn the tables and went into the half leading 19-17.
legal, you are not anonymous when you do it and engaging in it can have real consequences,” it stated.
Though the law might seem to back the RIAA, that does not mean that there are not those opposed to their actions.
According to a group known as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which maintains a Web site at www.eff.org, the RIAA is going too far by going after those who download music – or those merely suspected of it.
“It’s time to face the fact that in today’s world, copyright law is broken,” EFF representatives posted on their Web site. “Our current copyright regime makes criminals out of music lovers. Worse, it makes suspected criminals out of Internet users.”
Whatever side of opinion one falls on, it seems clear to many that the debate will not disappear any time soon.
However, for those who still love to get their music via the Internet, at least one RSC student said people should play it safe.
“We listen to the radio or buy CDs now,” she said. “Better to be safe, than sued.”
For more information regarding music downloading programs that are sanctioned by the RIAA and considered “off limits,” visit their Web site at www.riaa.com. jpace@rose.edu
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society inducts members
Shannon Hoverson
Assistant Editor
The RSC Chapter of the International Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa, held their annual Induction Ceremony Saturday, Oct. 14 in the Tom Steed Center auditorium.
Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges. According to their Web site, the purpose of Phi Theta Kappa “shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students.” Member benefits include a certificate of membership, the society’s Golden Diploma seal affixed to their two-year college diploma, the option to wear the golden monogrammed honors stole and tassel at commencement exercises and the right to wear the prestigious Golden Key membership pin.
By the third quarter, the Bronchos managed to turn the tide and were leading 24-26. After a few interceptions that resulted in touchdowns for the Bronchos, UCO won the game 31-26.
“There was so much campus life and it gave me something to look forward to next year,” Hayes said. shoverson@rose.edu
The new members inducted were: Rachael Adams, Dale Ainsley, Janet Ake, Steven Austin, Firat Birden, Sarah Brady, Dawn Brotherton, Mary Buswell, Whitney Calhoun, Jodi Callen, Stephanie Cammack, Whalayah Canoe, Vickie Carrier, Tegan Castigliari, Cynthia Cessant, Jennifer Clopton, Crystal Davidson, Krysti Douglas, Shawncie Drennan, Lacey Elmange, Kimberly Farris, Pamela Faulkner, Laura George, Stacy Godfrey, Lisa Goodman, Rebecca Gubitosi, Lauren Heer, Kyle Hesse, Josiah Hinkle, William Jenkins, Wendy Johnston, Anteah Jones, Sarah Jones, Rory Koon, Patrick Kriley, Nichole Kulscar, Sandi Laughlin, Suzanna Lee, Lynette Leidner, John Linley, Dana Macias, Megan Madden, Ronald Maston, Rachel Mathews, Rita Mendenhall, Charlotte Mills, Shannon Phillips, Bryan Renfroe, Danyelle Riley, Tammy Schneider, Hyunjoo Seok, Dale Smith, Ryan Smith, Stefanie Smith, Katherine Snell, John Spencer, Sarah Thomison, Kasey Thurman, John Traue, Lara Wagoner, Dillon Wampler, Jeremy Ward, Beverly Watson, Jason Weigand, Scott Woodbury and Alyssa Wright. Dr. Ric Baser, vice president for Academic Affairs, was the guest speaker.
For more information about PTK, contact Toni Castillo at 733-7988. shoverson@rose.edu
Photos by JOHNNA RAY
(Above:) The Wantland Stadium scoreboard at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond displays the final score of a UCO Bronchos’ and Northwestern Oklahoma State College Rangers’ football game. (Left:) Bronchos take advantage of an opportunity to run the ball during the UCO Broncho Game Day, held Oct. 14.
RSC Soccer vs. ECU at 3 p.m. (Away at OCCC campus)
“The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBAT)
• RSC Women’s Basketball tournament at TBA (Away at Tulsa)
• “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBAT)
A T) “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBAT) “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBA T) • Phi Theta Kappa Darfur Awareness Campaign -“Hotel Rwanda” video showing at 11:30 a.m. (MDR)
• Black Students Association meeting at 2 p.m. (SC123)
• Black Students Association at 2 p.m. • RSC Women’s Basketball vs. OCU JV (HPER100)
• RSC W omen’ s Basketball vs. OCU JV • “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBAT) • “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBA T)
• Non-Traditional Students Organization meeting at 1:30 p.m. (SC123)
• RSC Women’s Basketball tournament at TBA (Away at Tulsa)
• “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBAT) • “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBA T)
• Multicultural Society meeting at 1:30 p.m. (SC123) UCO recruitment booth at 8:30 a.m. (SC Lobby) Blood Drive at 9 a.m. (TTR) “Good Doctor” Dinner Theatre at 6 p.m. (MDR) RSC Women’s Basketball vs. OBU JV (Away at Shawnee) RSC W omen’ s Basketball vs. OBU JV (A way at “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBAT) “The Good Doctor” at 7:30 p.m. (HBA T)
• Baptist Collegiate Ministry club meeting at 11:30 a.m. (RR)
• International Education speech with Ambassador Edward J. Perkins at 10 a.m. (MDR)
• Langston University recruitment booth at 10 a.m. (SC Lobby)
Toastmasters International Club meeting at 6 p.m. (SC123)
Black Students Association meeting at 2 p.m. (SC123) RSC Women’s Basketball vs. Seward County College at TBA (Away at Liberal, Kan.) (A way at RSC Women’s Basketball vs. Seward County College at TBA (Away at Liberal, Kan.)
Phi Theta Kappa meeting at 4 p.m. (SC123) Raider Rally at 4:30 p.m. (Campus Mall) RSC Women’s Basketball vs. OBU JV (HPER100) RSC W omen’ s Basketball vs. OBU JV
• Baptist Collegiate Ministry club meeting at 11:30 a.m. (SC123)
• TEACH Club meeting at 1:30 p.m. (SC123)
• RSC Women’s Basketball vs. Shorter College at 5:30 p.m. (Away at N. Little
• RSC W omen’ s Basketball vs. Shorter at 5:30 p.m. (A way at N. Little Rock, Ark.)
• Student senate meeting at 2 p.m. (SC123)
• Student senate at 2 p.m.
• RSC Women’s Basketball vs. Seminole at 6 p.m. (Away at Seminole)
• RSC W omen’ s Basketball vs. Seminole at 6 p.m. (A way at
• Intramural Frisbee Golf game #4 at 3 p.m. (Kiwanis Park, Midwest City) Student senate meeting at 2 p.m. (SC123) RSC Women’s Basketball vs. Northern Enid at 6 p.m. (Away at Enid)
(CAMPUS CLOSED) (CAMPUS CLOSED) (CAMPUS CLOSED) Thanksgiving Holiday (campus closed) Thanksgiving Holiday (campus closed) Thanksgiving Holiday (campus closed) Native American Celebration at noon (RR) Student senate meeting at 2 p.m. (SC123) Holiday Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. (Campus Mall & MDR) at 5 p.m. Mall & • Baptist Collegiate Ministry club meeting at 11:30 a.m. (SC123) • TEACH Club meeting at 1:30 p.m. (SC123) • Phi Theta Kappa meeting at 4 p.m. (SC123)
• Toastmasters International Club meeting at 6 p.m. (SC123)
• RSC Women’s Basketball vs. Clarendon College at 6 p.m. (Away at Clarendon, Texas) UPS recruitment booth at 10 a.m. (SC Lobby) Student senate meeting at 2 p.m. (SC123)
Oklahoma Hauntings ings materialize on Web site eb
Joshua
Pace News Editor
Would you do it for a Scooby Snack? Maaaaybe.
For those inclined to do a little exploring this Halloween rather than just participating in the standard costumes, parties or Trick-or-Treating, Oklahoma boasts a few places that, some people say, could bring explorers face-to-face with the denizens of the Great Beyond. Yikes.
of his own – a trespassing complaint.
Good starting points, according to the Web site, could include:
Oklahoma City suburb
merly said that if someone was to go to the lockers located in that area and open them all, that person, after leaving, would hear the distinct sounds of all the lockers slamming shut.
A depressed janitor hanged himself in the balcony of a popular performing arts center five years ago. Now, according to the Web site, people can sometimes see in the balcony when nothing is really there.
If that weren’t enough, the building is said to be haunted by the ghost of a little girl who supposedly died when the building caught on fire.
had trouble sleeping because of the sounds of a crying baby – and yet, those claims came on nights when no other guests had a baby present. Many men, on the other hand, have said they could see the ghostly apparition of a “naked woman” while showering.
While these are just a few of the numerous places listed on the Web site, remember, Halloween is all about fun-filled flirting with the supernatural. Most people probably won’t see a ghost. But for those who do – run. jpace@rose.edu.
Also, some people say they can feel cold spots moving about and detect a “violent presence” from somewhere in the room.
igh school
But unlike the unbelievable luck of the Scooby Doo gang, one can’t count on the ol’ Mystery Machine to conveniently breakdown in front of an old spooky mansion. Instead, a little planning and forethought are required to find – and then visit – a real Halloween MYSTERY.
to breakdown in front of an old spooky a little an to find – a MY
Thanks to the In is easy – visit
Thanks to the Internet, research is easy – just visit http://theshadowlands.net/places/oklahoma.htm.
One unfortunate football player was struck down before his time – literally – and if the rumors are to be believed, he isn’t so happy
The site lists various spooky places posted by users, along with the stories surrounding them. Thrill-seekers and mystery-solvers alike can bring whatever they feel they need to track down a ghost – cameras, tape recorders, their bravest friends and their wits.
However, one word of warning, offered by the site: Just make sure and bring permission to visit these haunted places, as many are located on private property. If not, even the bravest adventurer could be faced with the scariest presence of all: A police officer with an investigation
As the story goes, the football practicing one day when a storm rolled into the area. While walking off the field, he was struck by lightning and killed instantly. Now, his spirit is said to continue to roam the old locker room under the stadium near the spot of his death. Sometimes, the sounds of whispering can be heard. Other times, the sounds of weights or lockers slamming inexplicably fill the area.
A Cleveland County high school
Before the high school was renovated, various stories surrounded the old building. In the underground pool area, for example, people for-
Calling in Sick:
Johnna Ray Editor in Chief
Cooler weather has set in across the state and has sent many people indoors, closer to one another - carrying all of their germs with them.
But how do those who fall ill, despite extra doses of vitamin C and frequent hand washing, know when they should call in from work or school and stay home?
College students do not usually attend classes with the same professor five days a week, so - excused or unexcusedabsences can quickly add up and possibly cause a reduction in points or letter grades.
And in addition to a possible loss in wages, employees - even if given a set number of “sick days” to take without penalty - must often show some proof of why they were absent, such as a doctor’s statement providing evidence of illness.
because they do not want to get sick themselves. The ill person might not be contagious, but many coughs or frequent sneezes could sound as if they are very capable of spreading the illness to others.
“I don’t really get sick,” Davis said. “I haven’t been sick in a while, but I wouldn’t want to make anyone else sick.”
It isn’t always easy to determine which should have their way - ill students or workers who can’t
According to the Web site, this girl loved her doll and always carried it with her. That doll could sometimes be seen lying on the staircase of the
If anyone were to move it, the doll would then reposition itself back into its original place. Also, people have claimed to see this girl from time to time walking the staircase with her doll, her white dress and black hair flowing like water and surrounding this wayward spirit as she haunts the site of her tragic death.
Spooky
But these aren’t the only places in Oklahoma that bear investigating.
At the site of the old Skirvin Hotel, a former maid is said to materialize with the soul of her illegitimate daughter – whom she killed, along with herself, after leaping from one of the top floor windows.
Before the hotel’s renovation, the building wasn’t used as a hotel for more than 20 years. But before it closed, some guests claimed her presence could be felt.
Some female guests stated they
Hamilton exhibit to visit campus
Seasonal illnesses raise policy questions
there to carry their share of the workload.
On the other hand, the person who is well might not be affected by the absence of another if they are a classmate or professor, but they could be affected by constant coughing that becomes disruptive to classes.
And for coworkers, employers, classmates or professors who have compromised immune systems due to lupus, HIV infection or other conditions, it can be much more serious than those who are
If they are symptomatic – if they are running a fever – it is best that they stay home and not get the rest of us sick.
a rash that can be spread to another student, they should stay home.
Adults can follow the same guidelines.
“If they are symptomatic – if they are running a fever – it is best that they stay home and not get the rest of us sick,” Debbie Barber, assistant director of the Nursing Program, said. “The best thing is to see a physician early; cover coughs with a tissue or handkerchief; wash hands frequently [and] use a paper towel or tissue when opening doorknobs.”
Debbie Barber, Assistant Director, Nursing Program “ “
“Sometimes, you have to come to class; you don’t have any choice,” Cathy Davis, nursing major, said.
But what about those days that a student or employee feels sick enough to stay home, but not sick enough to go to a doctor - especially if the cost of the visit will come out-of-pocket due to a lack of insurance?
Coworkers or classmates might scowl when someone comes into the office or classroom sneezing and sniffling
afford to call in sick and who aren’t contagious or coworkers who want anyone with the slightest ailment to stay home and not take a chance on making others sick. If the ill person stays home, not only will they miss classes that could be covering important information not found in a textbook, but they could also have to deal with coworkers who are disappointed that they were not
simply irritated or annoyed at those who don’t call in sick.
In some junior high and high schools, a doctor’s statement is required for an excused absence, while only a call from a parent or guardian is usually sufficient for elementary school students.
And in most elementary schools, the decision is usually made clear early on in the school year - if a student has a fever, is vomiting or has
Student senators to host
Joshua Pace News Editor
During a recent meeting of the senate, held earlier this month, senators had a chance to hear from Tara Scott, a blood program consultant with the Oklahoma Blood Institute. Scott highlighted the importance of donating blood while also thanking the college for its continued support.
In short, her message was this: Donating blood saves lives. Student senate will sponsor a blood drive on the RSC campus from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9 in the Tinker Terrace Room, Towry Barnard, Student Activities coordinator, said.
“You do have an impact by scheduling blood
The RSC Policies and Procedures manual does not address this issue specifically, nor does the Student Handbook.
But many professors do mention attendance policies for their classes and detail whether an absence can be excused or if all absences are equal, regardless of cause.
“[The professors] have been very understanding,” Davis said. “I missed a few days when my car was broken down and they let me make up my work.”
However, not all professors will allow makeup work, so each student should discuss absences with instructors as soon as possible.
College students or employees are adults and as such are left to make the decision themselves based on not only how they feel and what their symptoms are, but also on the effect it might have on classmates, coworkers or their own grades or employment.
As campus voters prepare to select senate and representative candidates they feel will make the best future leaders, a well-known leader from the past will make his way to RSC via a traveling exhibit.
Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, is known to many as the face on the $10 bill and nothing more. Others know a bit more about his history and importance to America’s culture, economics, politics and legal system. And now, those who know a little can join those who know a lot and learn even more about Hamilton through this traveling exhibit.
“[Hamilton] was very farsighted in how he saw things … he saw an urban America,” Sharon Saulmon, director, Learning Resources Center, said. “He was very antislavery, outspoken … a fascinating figure.”
Hamilton faced a lot of opposition in his views of how America should be. Where he envisioned large cities, a strong central government and an intermingling of cultures and talents, Thomas Jefferson preferred the idea of small farming towns and state governments.
One opponent, Aaron Burr, who had served as an attorney for a young woman with whom Hamilton had an affair, took his disagreements beyond arguments and ultimately ended Hamilton’s life in a now infamous duel. The duel, it is believed, resulted from comments Hamilton made, regarding “indecencies” in Burr’s life, that Burr wanted Hamilton to retract.
But Hamilton’s life and visions for America are the main focus of the exhibit which will include many documents, artistic depictions of his life and early America, various artifacts including the pistols used in the fatal duel and lectures from RSC history professors.
“The things that will be seen represent the times he lived in as well as him,” Saulmon said. “When I first saw the exhibit, the thing that [stood] out to me was the little bitty slave cuffs for the children.”
The exhibit, “Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America,” was designed and organized by the New York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the American Library Association and is funded in part through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Saulmon said. The LRC will receive $1,000 for the care, promotion and other expenses needed to host the display and no shipping costs will be charged to the LRC or the college, she added.
The exhibit will be available for viewing beginning Oct. 30 and will continue through Dec. 8 on the second floor of the LRC, during regular business hours. A grand opening with guest speaker John Primo, adjunct history professor, will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1. Robert Leveridge, history professor, will discuss Hamilton’s attempts to “implant his views into American society” at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 15.
“[This exhibit] will give students a real insight into that time,” Saulmon said. “I hope everyone gets a chance to come see it and get some introspection into the time around the Revolution.”
Admission to the exhibit and lectures is free. For more information, call Saulmon at 733-6259 or visit www.alexanderhamiltonexhibition.org/. jray@rose.edu
annual blood drive, save lives
drives,” Scott said. “You guys are saving lives and we appreciate your help.”
According to information located at health. yahoo.com, blood donations usually spike immediately following a crisis or natural disaster, but that is not the only time blood is needed.
Statistics gathered by the Red Cross state that every two seconds in the U.S., “someone needs blood,” yet only five percent of the U.S. population makes a donation each year. Additionally, statistics released by OBI state there is a 95 percent chance that someone who lives to age 72 will have a need for blood products at some point. Also, people age 65 and older will use approximately 45 percent of all blood products
that are available, while women living in the U.S. will use slightly more than half of the blood supply – meaning that more blood donations are always needed since the supply is in constant use.
The American Red Cross’s Web site said that people who wish to give blood should remember the following suggestions regarding donating:
• Before donating, make sure to eat foods rich in iron, including red meat, fish, poultry or beans.
• Remember to drink plenty of water beforehand.
• Avoid high-fat foods since they could skew void foods since could skew some of the tests that the blood must undergo.
Also, too much fat from these foods could render the donation useless.
• After the donation, remember to rest for a few minutes to help recover. Eating a light snack also helps, experts say.
• “Take it easy” for a few hours following a contribution. Strenuous physical activity, such as heavy lifting, should also be kept to a minimum.
• Drink plenty of water the following day to re-hydrate. For more information about OBI, visit www. obi.org. For more information about the upcoming blood drive, contact Student Activities at 733-7376. jpace@rose.edu
Johnna Ray Editor in Chief
Tree photo from WWW.CS.DARTMOUTH.EDU/ Photo Illustration by JOHNNA RAY
HAMILTON
How to... Have a spookalicious Halloween party for all
Shannon Hoverson Assistant Editor
“Lions, tigers and bears.
Oh my!” – and maybe a witch, goblin, vampire or Superman thrown in.
Yes, that’s right; Halloween is just around the corner. Before you know it, small children will be knocking at your door holding up their plastic jack-o-lanterns and bags and chiming “Trick-orTreat!”
If you choose to throw a Halloween party instead of giving out gooey treats and cavity inducing chocolaty goodness, then I have the
perfect tips for your ghoulish monster bash. First, you need to choose the mood or theme of your party. Do you want to go with the general “spooky” theme of all things Halloween or do you want to choose a specific one such as having everyone come dressed as a favorite icon from an era.
Once you’ve chosen a theme, it’s time to hit the stores. You’ll need to purchase a lot of disposable cups, plates and plastic ware.
Trust me, you don’t want
Sudoku
Each smaller square, called a cell, is to be filled in with a numerical figure from 1-9. These numerals are not to be repeated within horizontal or vertical rows or within a large square, referred to as a 3 X 3 block. Logic and the process of elimination are key to solving these puzzles.
Julie Farris
Contributing Writer
Three words describe “Flag of our Fathers”: violent, intense, and moving, just as any good war movie should be. Our very own “Dirty Harry,” Clint Eastwood, has managed to tell an amazing story of war and the affects it can have on the human spirit, without overdoing the “gore” factor.
“Flags” used the characters’ emotional points of view to draw the viewer into the movie, rather than making them reel back in disgust. Not to say that this movie never presented its “ewww” factor – war isn’t pretty and this movie isn’t afraid to show that. However, un-
like most war movies, this one doesn’t fill the screen with violent stunts to get the greatest volume of blood. The movie tells the true tale of the beginnings of the nowinfamous war photograph of Americans hoisting a flag at Iwo Jima. By the time the “picture that would win the war” was published, half the men in it had given their lives, while the remaining three – a Navy Corpsman, John “Doc” Bradley (Ryan Phillippe) and two Marines, Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford) and Ira Hayes (Adam Beach) – were torn from their unit to return to the U.S. and raise money and morale for the war. America had run out of money; so in order to stay
to be stuck with tons of dirty dishes to do the day after.
If your theme is “spooky,”
I suggest going to one of the seasonal Halloween stores, such as Spirit Halloween
cide on the refreshments and appetizers. Dry ice in the punch bowl is always a good effect as are the peeled grapes in red Jell-O. Again, keep in mind the theme for your party.
them out or you can just email your “nearest and dearest.”
This is the age of technology and e-mail is the fastest and cheapest way to go.
10-27-06 Aries March 21April 19... The 19 The stars have informed me stars me that you will obtain your that you will obtain your greatest wish this week. But due to inflation, it might not be exactly what you wanted.
Store, that are open at this time of year. However, Party America and Hobby Lobby are also good sources of decorating regalia.
Now you need to de-
Next, you will need to come up with some sort of entertainment. You might try the classic “bobbing for apples” or come up with other fun activities. Personally I like pin the tail on the werewolf.
Now you will need to send out the invites. You can go “old school” and make the invites yourself and mail
The most important part of Halloween is to have fun and stay safe.
If you follow my steps you should have a great party to rival anything Dracula can throw together.
For more party theme ideas, visit www.partyoz.com.
And by the way, have a “spooktacular” Halloween. shoverson@rose.edu
Fall arrives, daylight saved
Julie Farris Contributing Writer
Many Americans have memorized the motto “spring forward, fall back,” from as early as grade school and although many despise “losing” an hour in April, they enjoy “gaining” an hour in the fall.
But the question in the U.S. regarding whether or not this is even necessary remains and some states, such as Hawaii and Arizona, opt not to take part. However, on the other side, many states such as Indiana, which recently adopted the program, are jumping on the Daylight Saving Time bandwagon.
President George W. Bush signed an energy bill that included extending DST by approximately a month. The Bill stated that DST would begin the second Sunday of March 2007 and end on the first Sunday of November, repeating each year thereafter.
The Standard Time Act, created March 19, 1918, established both time zones and DST, according to wikipedia.org. But while railroad companies liked the idea of time zones, DST was not widely accepted.
More than 45 years later, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 provided standardization of the dates, but allowed for states to choose whether or not they would observe. The act stated that DST should begin on the last Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October, with the changeover to occur at 2 a.m. Government officials stated that DST was instituted to conserve energy, according to wikipedia. This act of time trickery helps keep the natural light available during hours citizens are more active, which aids in conserving energy. And by “losing” an hour, the peak for using electricity is drastically decreased.
Another benefit of DST is a program promoted by fire departments in many areas across the
in the fight, they had to appeal to the American public to buy War Bonds. The three survivors might not have sacrificed their lives for
their country, but they did sacrifice their pride and at times even the truth, to serve their country. In the end they fought and won the most difficult of battles. They were humiliated by
Taurus April 20May 20... You know those Easter eggs know those Easter eggs you hid in April? You will you hid in You will finally find the last blue find the last blue one in your sock drawer.
Gemini May 21- June 20... This week your cosmic calendar seems very full, maybe you should think about getting a cosmic or- about a cosmic organizer or something. or something
Cancer June 21July 22... Now is a good time to take up a vice – knitting might be a good idea.
country that calls for using DST as a reminder to check and change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide testers at the time clocks are adjusted and replace any units that are not in proper working order.
“My landlord changes the batteries in my smoke detector; that way he knows it will work,” Emma Beverage, graphic arts major, said.
This year, the end of Daylight Saving Time - the time when clocks are set back one hour - is 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. However, for those who do not wish to stay up until 2 a.m., changing clocks and watches and testing smoke detectors before going to bed Saturday evening is also acceptable.
For more information, visit wikipedia.org or encarta.msn.com and search for “Daylight Saving Time” or visit webexhibits.org. farrisnj@yahoo.com
the exploitation their “hero status” caused. It’s sad that they never truly understood the true nature of what they were doing for their country. Without the flag-holders, the military would have been in dire financial straits - they wouldn’t even have been able to buy bullets. In essence, the picture, regardless of its nature, did aid in winning the war.
Eastwood has created an emotionally moving picture with “Flags” that shows that the men who held the flag at Iwo Jima sacrificed a lot for their country and never claimed to be heroes. It also shows the reasons many Americans debate over the policies and purposes of war.
Eastwood and the actors’ portrayals tell the facts and provide a moral for the story: Our friends and family are serving their country, but they are dying for their companions fighting beside them and these sacrifices should never be thought of as being in vain.
This is definitely a mustsee movie. It is, somewhat, a tear jerker, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It opens on the battlefi elds and closes at the end of the veterans’ lives.
I enjoyed this movie immensely and plan to see Eastwood’s next Iwo Jima film which portrays the Japanese point of view. farrisnj@yahoo.com
Leo July 23-August 22... Be- g u s t 2 2 B eware that swarm of but- ware swarm terflies. They will attack terflies will attack at sunset.
Virgo August 23-September 22... You need to take it easy, try some relaxation techniques – like a weekend in Bermuda. in Bermuda
Libra September 23-October 22... Ever since you bought that thing on e-bay, you have been noticing strange things. You might want to get your money back and just buy that gallon of unicorn tears you’ve been unicorn tears you’ve been eyeing.
Scorpio October 23-November 21...
That party you were planning for Halloween will be overrun by evil fairies – hide the pixie dust.
Sagittarius S a g i t t a r i u s November 22-De- v e m b e r 2 2 - D ecember 21... The 21 dust bunnies are going to mutiny and take over your living room.
Capricorn December 22-January 19... Do not take stock market advice from that guy in the park from that guy in the park anymore, the psychic a n y m o r e t h e p s y c h i c voices are telling me you voices are me you will lose your shirt.
Aquarius January 20-February 18... This week everything will blow up in your face, now is the time your face now is the time to take comfort with a to a friend. As the song says, friend As the song says, “That’s what friends are for.”
o r o s c o p e s
Pisces February 19-March 20... Your horoscope will be out of order for the week so you will have to be happy will have to be happy with a fortune cookie a –“Follow the way of the – Follow the way of the grasshopper.” I don’t know what it means either.
