The Vista Jan. 14, 2010

The Appeal Process Story on page 3

White River Rafting Story on page 7

Global Competencies Story on page 7

Playoff Predictions Story on page 9

JAN 14, 2009

uco360.com twitter.com/uco360

THE VISTA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S student voice since 1903.

Remodeling

SONDHEIM Story on page 5

STUDENT GROUPS HOST MLK EVENTS, A DAY OF SERVICE The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is recognized nationally. Several groups throughout the nation come together every Jan. 18 to volunteer with in their communities.

PHOTO BY GARRETT FISBECK

The University of Central Oklahoma School of Music will offer a one-credit hour course this spring celebrating American composerlyricist Stephen Sondheim.

Stephen Sondheim is well-known for his work in “West Side Story” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

He has worked with Oscar Hammerstein, known for his popular musical “Oklahoma”, and is even known for being Hammerstein’s protégé.

ENDEAVOR GAMES Story on page 3 The University of Central Oklahoma will provide physically disabled sportsmen and women an arena for athletic competition when it plays host to the 2010 Endeavor Games this summer.

The 11th annual games, all of which have been headquartered at the university, will feature competitions in power lifting, wheelchair table tennis, wheelchair basketball, swimming, sitting volleyball, cycling, wheelchair track and field, indoor and outdoor archery, ambulatory track and field, and shooting.

The Endeavor Games saw its genesis in 2000, when Katrina Shaklee, the director of sports and recreation at the UCO Wellness Center, found that Oklahoma didn’t hold any athletic events for the physically disabled.

Then an events coordinator for an advertising firm, Shaklee, along with a colleague, sought out the sponsorships and funding required to put together what

WEATHER TODAY

H 49° L 36°

Students walk through the thawing campus yesterday, UCO will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18, 2009 , due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

By Jenefar de Leon / Staff Writer The University of Central Oklahoma will host two events to celebrate the memory of the American historical figure, Martin Luther King Jr. Multicultural Student Services and Central’s Volunteer and Service learning Center (VSLC) cosponsored the two events on campus.

The VSCL will sponsor a day of service, in which students, faculty and other volunteers will come together to spend the day at the Regional Food Bank in Oklahoma City as part of Central’s annual Martin Luther King Day of Service project on Jan. 18.

Josh Krawczyk, director of VSCL, said this is not only rewarding for the volunteers, but it is also what Martin Luther King Jr. represents.

MLK was a man who thought of the service and

good of others.

“You can spend time away from the Wii and movies, and come out and service the community and commensurate his legacy,” Krawczyk said.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is recognized nationally. Several communities throughout the nation come together on Jan. 18 to volunteer in their communities.

In 2009, a number record of 13,000 projects in 50 states took place Jan. 18 after President Obama’s national call to service. It was the largest in history of community service in one day.

The Multicultural Student Service will then host a remembrance celebration Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Heritage Room.

There will be a performance from the UCO Ebony Gospel Choir, and a keynote address from Dr. Ernest Holloway.

Holloway was the past president of Langston University.

The MLK celebration is an annual event UCO Multicultural Student Services sponsors. Each year the celebration addresses one of King’s famous quotes.

This year the famous quote is, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

MeShawn Conley, director of UCO Multicultural Student Services, personally picked the quote and said it represents what MLK stood for.

“MLK ideals and principles are not a fad. They are still important, and we should mirror them.”

After the performance, a symbolic march will take place resembling the civil rights marches in the 1960s. ... continues in page 4

Campus Legislation TOMORROW H 45° L 31°

QUIET WEEK FINDS LOUDER VOICE IN UCOSA Jan. 11, UCOSA members held a joint session between the House and Senate to discuss enstating an official “quiet week.” The resolution will return to the Senate Jan. 25 amended or passed by The House.

More weather at www.uco360.com

DID YOU KNOW? Charlie Chaplin once won third place in a Charlie Chaplin look-a-like contest.

By Amy Stinett / Staff Writer A resolution for an official quiet week died in the UCO Student Association last semester. On Jan. 11, the resolution was revived at a joint session between the House and Senate.

“Originally it was a Senate piece of legislation, and because it’s a joint resolution, both chambers have to pass it, and then it’s either signed or vetoed by the executive president,” David Jenkins, President pro tempore of the Senate, said.

Jenkins said at the joint session meeting that because of the democratic way, they could sidestep the rules and revive the resolution if a two-thirds

vote to do so were cast.

The resolution was revived in the joint session, with an amendment made by the Senate removing lines added by the House last semester. It will now go back to the House for review and another vote.

The Senate Joint Resolution 09-102 is “a resolution in support of a revision to the faculty handbook Chapter 3, Section 3.5 regarding Quiet Week,” as stated in the document’s preamble.

Having a “quiet week” would mean having a week of classes in which teachers could not issue any more assignments, homework, papers, etc.

The resolution states, beginning in line 41, “This change will not only improve student performance

on examinations by allowing more study time, but … it will also be beneficial for our faculty as it will allow them more time to grade course materials and meet deadlines.”

The Student Body President, Daniel Stockton, said at Monday’s meeting between the two chambers, “This is very important legislation. … We’re standing up for your rights as students.”

At the forefront of this battle for student rights are Secretary of Proceedings, Michael Ooten, and Student Body Vice President, Beth Marcotte. They have both been communicating with UCO students about this resolution.

... continues in page 4

OPINION

2

THE VISTA 100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 (405)974-5549 editorial@uco360.com The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, semi-weekly during the academic year except exam and holiday periods, and only on Wednesdays during the summer, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.

EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO. LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, with a maximum of 150 words, and must include the author’s printed name, title, major, classification and phone number. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.

Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 730345209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be e-mailed to vistauco@gmail.com.

STAFF

Editorial

Laura Hoffert, Editor In Chief Kory Oswald, Managing Editor Elina Golshani, Copy Editor Chris Wescott, Sports Editor

Amy Stinnett, Staff Writer Tiffany Brown, Staff Writer Tiuanna Harris, Staff Writer Jenefar De Leon, Staff Writer Ryan Costello, Staff Writer

Advertising Kris Graham

Circulation Stephen Hughes

Adviser Mr. Teddy Burch

Photography Byron Koontz Garet Fisbeck

Editorial Comic Prakriti Adhikari

Administrative Assistant Tresa Berlemann

BUDGET WOES

‘‘

Just before the end of the year, the leadership of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, the state treasurer and Gov. Brad Henry all announced there was a huge hole in the state’s budget.

That hole, $1.3 billion, was caused by a national recession and dismal oil and natural gas prices. The hole was so big that former Senate Pro Tempore Cal Hobson described it as budgetary Armageddon.

State agencies have been told to slash their budgets and across the state, public employees are mentally preparing themselves to be furloughed or, even worse, laid off.

Some people, despite the fact the twister is spinning right in front of them, continue to stand on the porch and shout at the rain.

The storm is here. Consider this: While the state and the Oklahoma City metro area’s unemployment rates are lower than some parts of the country, they have made huge increases over the course of last year.

According to the Associated Press, the recession battered the state’s employment picture, which began with a jump in unemployment rates in January 2009 from 3.8 percent to 4.7 percent. The jobless rate continued to worsen, reaching 7.3 percent in October, the highest in years.

This week, Oklahoma City announced budget cuts of 2 percent, and some officials say those cuts could be higher in the next fiscal year.

Officials at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission said the state has already paid out more than $575 million in unemployment claims for the year, a record, commission spokesman John Carpenter said. In 2008, the state paid just $182.6 million in unemployment benefits.

Forbes Magazine listed Oklahoma City as the actual “recession proof” point in the Sooner State and not the state as a whole. But common sense says if there’s recession in the state’s largest city and almost every economist will tell you there, is then isn’t there a recession in the state, too?

We’re down by more than $1 billion, the public and the private sectors are shedding jobs, and all the whining in the world isn’t going to solve the problem.

Leaders on both sides should work together and find a way to make sure the lights stay on, the kids can go to school and the firefighters still have enough gas money to get to the fire.

It’s always a great idea to build a storm cellar, but it’s a better idea to do it before the tornado has destroyed the house.

‘

Management

By Prakriti Adhikari/ Cartoonist

CAMPUS QUOTES

Would you be willing to give up more freedom for more security?

ASHLEY ENDERSON

LAUREN DOW

OTIS BRYANT

Freshman- Kinesiology

Freshman-English Education

Freshman-Undecided

“I guess it would depend on “I feel like we’re pretty se- “Probably so, yeah. I like to what I was having to give cure right now, so, like, why be safe, knowing that I’m more freedom, like?” up.” safe, you know?”

LISA PTAK

Member services coordinator

“Who’s to say that giving up more freedom is going to help? You never know.

There will always be a way around things.“ BEN FRANKLIN

SHAUN HERRERA

Junior-Humanities

TIERRA ANDERSON

Freshman-Kinesiology

“When it comes down to “No. Freedom overpowers.” it, I think freedom really comes from within. Think about all the shit we have … and we’re still not free from, like, just from the material world.”

Founding Father

“Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security.”

NEWS

3

Endeavor Games

Academic Appeals

PARALYMPICS GRADE APPEAL MAY APPEAL TO SOME THRIVING AT UCO UCO PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A WAY TO APPEAL FINAL

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer

GRADES BUT GIVES FINAL SAY TO PROFESSORS

By Amy Stinnett / Staff Writer

student must be aware of the process,”Jassemnejad said.

“The professor did not explain to her, based on what I understand from the student, her options,” Jassemnejad said.

Jassemnejad was disappointed to hear that this student was distressed about their grade and unaware of the option to appeal it.

“It contradicts what we faculty are here for…We are here to make sure that we provide the most conducive environment for student learning and student

PHOTO BY BYRON KOONTZ

A recent disagreement between a University of Central Oklahoma student and professor over a final grade has emphasized the importance of the awareness of University policies and procedures.

A UCO student became very sick last semester before finals and was unable to take a test, causing them to ultimately fail the course. They then approached the professor who failed to bring to the

professor’s records, there might be some discrepancy. Still if you cannot resolve it at the department level, it is your right to go through the process,” Jassemnejad said.

The introduction to the Code of Student Conduct states, “The intent of the University is to ensure that students do not overlook their civic and social responsibilities nor lose their rights as citizens and members of this community.

Therefore, the Code of Student Conduct specifically clarifies the rights and re-

A student fills out the student information record form that can be downloaded from a link on the Office of Academic Affairs website. The form can be filled out online or downloaded and printed and turned in person.

options available for appealing a grade.

“They are protected. If they are right, they are right,” Dr. Baha Jassemnejad, a professor and chairperson in the Department of Engineering and Physics at UCO said. “Justice prevails, all the time.”

The key for students is being aware of their rights and the procedures that have been put in place by the University to protect those rights.

“There is a procedure concerning student dissatisfaction,” Jassemnejad said.

“This appeal process protects all parties, that is, students as well as faculty. Honestly, every faculty and student must be aware of the process.”

This procedure is outlined in the Code of Student Conduct, provided by the Office of Student Affairs, and also in documents provided by the Office of Academic Affairs.

In these documents students will find information about situations that warrant the appealing of a grade, or even to bring to light unfair treatment of students in the classroom by a professor, as well as steps students can take to make an appeal.

“You might just feel that your professor didn’t treat you fairly, for whatever reason. You still go through the process.

Maybe your record will not match the

sponsibilities of students at the University of Central Oklahoma.”

The information provided by the Office of Academic Affairs describes the role of the Board of Academic Appeals.

The policy was created by President Roger Webb and Provost Dr. William Radke in July 2006.

The academic appeals procedure states, “The purpose of the BAA is to be the final formal appellate body for academic disputes. Examples of such disputes include, but are not limited to, grade appeals and appeals involving student misconduct.”

The university’s polices cover not only the students, but the faculty members as well.

“This appeal process protects all parties, that is, students as well as faculty,” Jassemnejad said.

If students have a question about university policies, faculty have a responsibilty to answer those questions As stated on page 11 of the UCO Student Code of Conduct, “Any faculty member approached by a student considering an appeal must inform the student of the availability of these procedures.”

“Honestly, every faculty and

A fixed idea ends in madness or heroism.

-Victor Hugo, French writer (1802-85)

development,” Jassemnejad said.

“Sometimes there will be misunderstanding, but sometimes it is just a lack of knowledge from either party. Maybe even the faculty did not know the process.”

The only way to eliminate misunderstanding is for students and faculty members alike to read through the documents provided by the university that protect our rights as members of the UCO community.

“UCO is a great place to go to work and to study and we want to make sure that we all know about the policies and procedures and we should follow it,” Jassemnejad said.

For more information about the academic appeals procedures, you can log onto www.uco.edu/conduct. You can also visit the Office of Student Affairs or the Office of Academic Affairs, which are each located on the first floor of the Nigh University Center

Vista Writer Amy Stinnett can be reached at astinnett@uco360.com.

The University of Central Oklahoma will provide physically disabled sportsmen and women an arena for athletic competition when it plays host to the 2010 Endeavor Games this summer.

The 11th annual games, all of which have been headquartered at the university, will feature competitions in power lifting, wheelchair table tennis, wheelchair basketball, swimming, sitting volleyball, cycling, wheelchair track and field, indoor and outdoor archery, ambulatory track and field, and shooting.

The Endeavor Games saw its genesis in 2000, when Katrina Shaklee, the director of sports and recreation at the UCO Wellness Center, found that Oklahoma didn’t hold any athletic events for the physically disabled. Then an events coordinator for an advertising firm, Shaklee, along with a colleague, sought out the sponsorships and funding required to put together what eventually became the inaugural Endeavor Games.

The games have come a long way in the decade following their establishment.

“We had 119 participants in 2000, and now we have over 400,” Shaklee said.

“Through the years we’ve added ceremonies; we’ve added training classes, and we’ve added a military element (for disabled veterans).”

In addition to attracting more participants and improving the overall experience, the games have vastly expanded the number of competitions being offered to athletes. The 2010 Endeavor Games hold competitions in 11 sports, compared to five in 2000.

This year’s games, and the progression the event has seen since its inception, have depended upon the work of a constantly growing base of sponsors and volunteers.

“We started with two people, and now we have many staff members, the wellness center staff, and over 300 volunteers. It’s truly a year-round event,” Shaklee said.

Ryan Wilson, a representative with the UCO Wellness Center, is proud of the progress the Endeavor Games have made.

“We had a record number for attendance and competitors last year. This is very exciting for us, to keep the momentum going,” Wilson said.

“Definitely I think (the games) are a great success.

On an overcoming and an

Work In The

inspirational basis, they’ll always be a success.”

One such success story took place in last year’s competition, when a young boy, who had lost the use of one of his arms, came to the games purely as a spectator.

As it turned out, the spectator quickly became a participant when the U.S. Paralympics Archery Team fostered the boy’s growing interest in the sport, training him in the fundamentals of archery and watching him compete in the event.

Apparently, this scenario is not uncommon.

“Every year, someone comes to spectate, then competes and gets hooked,” Wilson said.

In some cases, it’s not just the spectators, but the organizers themselves that are drawn into competing, even if not on a competitive basis.

Both Shaklee and Wilson, neither of whom lives with physical disabilities, have tried their hands at some of the sports featured at the games.

“Oh yeah, I’ll jump in a chair and go play (wheelchair basketball) with them,” Wilson said.

Shaklee, who has tried several of the activities, believes sharing the competitors’ experience helps the staff to improve as hosts.

“It’s fun to get out there and see what it’s like, to see how difficult it is,” Shaklee said.

“It helps us to better understand what the athletes are dealing with, and it helps us hold a better event.”

The 11th annual Endeavor Games aren’t the only Paralympics-certified event being held at UCO this summer.

UCO and the city of Edmond will also be holding the 2010 Sitting Volleyball Worlds Championships, starting July 8. More than 640 competitors and coaches on 40 teams from across the globe will participate in the tournament.

Wilson hopes the Endeavor Games will help to bring attention to the 2010 worlds. “(The Endeavor Games) are a great way to build excitement for this summer,” Wilson said.

The games will start with an opening ceremony on June 10, and will wrap up with a banquet and closing ceremony on June 13.

All events and ceremonies are open to the public free of charge.

Digital

Newsroom

Call 974-2589 or email info@uco360. com

4

NEWS

Photo Story

PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

PHOTO BY

A GLIMPSE AROUND THE WORLD, UCO

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Volunteer Service Learning Center is raising awareness and directing students, faculty and staff to sources who are currently helping with the Natural Diseaster. Anyone in the Central community who is interested in helping survivors of the crises can contact the Red Cross to give blood or give a monetary donation for aid at CNN.com. The earthquake that occured yesterday on the 12th is being predicted as one of the strongest earthquakes Haiti has had in 200 years by the National Geographic.

Many news sources are also reporting that thousands could be dead. President Barack Obama has ordered troops to be on standby, in case humanitarian aid is needed during the crisis. The earthquake that has devastated the region has reached a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale.

Continued from page 1

QUIET WEEK DEBATE RAGES ON “I’ve gotten a lot of support from a lot of students. … I really haven’t heard any negative comments,” Marcotte said.

“I think there’s optimism, but there’s also some doubts,” Ooten said.

If UCOSA can pass this piece of legislation, it still must go through the Faculty Senate.

“We have not really gone to the Faculty Senate,” Ooten said.

He explained that one concern the faculty may have with the revision is the policies of UCO’s sister schools, such as Iowa State. Ooten expects they will first look at which sister schools have dead weeks and what kind of success they have had before they make a decision.

“I think if they understood what the quiet week meant, that you still need to go to class, you still need to be a good student. … I think it will be a great thing for UCO,” Ooten said.

It might seem like an item that would not elicit much disagreement among students. That is not the case in UCOSA. The House and the Senate are having difficulty agreeing on some of the conditions of the resolution, especially the amendment added in line 39 by the House saying, “All coursework will be review material.”

The senators are clinging to the idea that to allow professors to continue teaching the students new material that can be included in the final exam during quiet week would give the students a “bargaining chip.”

The House, on the other hand, does not even see it as a matter of bargaining, Matt Blubaugh, the Speaker of the House, said.

“What this is is a resolution … a recommendation and a request. We’re not bargaining; we’re pleading.

Students will have a higher GPA. That’s the only thing

we have to offer,” Blubaugh said.

The Oklahoma State Regents requires that one university semester be sixteen weeks of classwork. “However, with an established quiet week, students would not be tested over that new material,” Jenkins said.

“What we’re doing is pretty much initiating a process so that we can start bargaining with the Faculty Senate, saying we want no coursework during the final week of school,” Jenkins said.

If there could be absolutely no new material during quiet week, a whole week would have to be added to the semester. All the Senate is asking for is one week before finals to be free of any assignments, papers and tests.

Senate Joint Resolution 09-102 will be back in the hands of the Senate the Monday following Martin Luther King Day, amended and/or passed by the House.

Continued from page 1

MLK DAY OF SERVICE The march will begin at the east doors of the Nigh University Center. It will continue down Garland Godfrey Drive located on Second Street, and end back where the march began.

“We are fortunate that we don’t live in that era,” Conley said. “This march is a sense of pride.”

Conley said this will help remind students, faculty and guests to take the time to think of others and the legacy MLK has left behind.

“It is very easy for college students and individuals to be wrapped around their own lives, but we cannot ignore what is happening outside our own lives,” Conley said. “We need to take the time to think of how far we have gone and where we are

going.”

The two events are open and free for the public to attend. Students, faculty and

guests are encouraged to participate and remember Martin Luther King Jr. and how he has changed history.

Health Professions Career Fair Wed., Jan., 27

10a.m.-2:30p.m. Howell Hall Atrium

All UCO students can come & learn about many graduate health programs.

Contact aewing2@uco.edu

The Edmond Fire Department was called to put out a fire in front of the Arts, Media and Design Building on Jan. 13.

NEWS

5

Life after college

STUDY SHOWS UCO GRADUATES COULD POTENTIALLY EARN THOUSANDS LESS

By Tiffany Brown / Staff Writer A recent study analyzing graduate salaries reveals University of Central Oklahoma graduates potentially earn thousands of dollars less than graduates from other Oklahoma colleges.

Students spend many hours in the classroom, hoping to build a foundation of knowledge that will prepare them for lucrative careers.

In the midst of an unstable economy, not only are jobs competitive, but the competition for a decent salary has increased.

PayScale, a company that provides others with data based upon the job market, recently released a study that compared the salaries of graduates across the nation.

Among the schools compared was the University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma University and Oklahoma State University.

According to the study called College Salary Report, the potential pay salary for UCO graduates are considerably less than Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma University graduates.

The potential starting median salary for UCO graduates is $35,000. Some graduates may be impacted more than others, depending upon whether graduates have to support families.

When the beginning salary of UCO graduates is compared to the salary of what was considered to be a low-income family in 2009, a person making $35,000 a year would make nearly two times as much as a one-person family.

According to government guidelines, a family comprised of one person making $16, 245 Would be considered to be in the low-income bracket.

However, a family of four making about $33,000 a year would also be considered low income.

The potential salary for UCO graduates increased to $63,000 by mid-career, which surveyed individuals in their early forties, yet there was still a wage gap according to the study.

Compared to OU graduates, the potential starting salary for UCO graduates is $8,500 less.

According to the study, the potential starting median salary for OU graduates was $44,000.By mid-career, OU grads were expected to make an average of $81,300.

For OSU graduates, the potential starting median salary was $43,000, while the median mid-career salary was $79,000.

According to Beth Adele, director UCO’s of Career Services, the results of the study may be skewed due to the method used to survey.

“This is relatively informal research,” Adele said.

According to its Web site, the data is collected by employees who successful complete surveys provided by the company.

The methodology provides the criteria used to conduct the study, which may potentially yield different results.

The study conducted by PayScale was based on employees who earned Bachelors’ degrees. The potential salary for those with Masters’ degrees or higher were not included.

It focuses specifically on graduates who are employed in the United States. The average salaries of students in U.S. territories were not included in the study conducted by PayScale.

Also, the study did not examine careers in fields such as medicine and law, which may require advanced degrees and training.

It is based on full-time employees who have five years of experience or less in their careers.

Individuals who earn income based on whether they are self-employed or contract employees, and project based are also excluded from the survey. Also, non-cash benefits were not included.

Data that includes each of these factors have the potential to affect the results projected.

“Thirty UCO alumni could have been surveyed, and 100 OU alumni, or vice versa,” Adele said.

Also, according to the company’s Web site, although most major colleges, such as Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, etc. in the

2009-2010 Student RCSA Call for Grant Proposals

United States are included, some are not.

UCO’s peer institutions are among those not included, Adele said.

“They are comparing apples to oranges in several areas,” she said, “These are not ‘peer institutions’ in terms of types of majors offered, locations of institutions, enrollment size, alumni base, surrounding industry, services offered, etc,” Adele said.

“They do not provide the statistical methodology in terms of using significant numbers of each of the schools represented.”

In spite of its flaws, the survey can be useful.

“This site can be beneficial to students as a reference in negotiating salaries,” Adele said.

It helps students get an estimate of where they can start in the negotiation process.

UCO has hosted several workshops, that teach students how to negotiate higher salaries after being hired by a company.

PayScale suggested half of starting employees might earn more than the average salary, while half may earn less than the average stated.

While it may seem as if UCO graduate students possibly make less than graduates from more prestigious universities, actual salaries vary from person to person. When benefits such as healthcare are added to a salary package, the value of any job increases.

Vista Writer Tiffany Brown can be reached at tbrown@uco360.com.

Continued from page 1

Would you like to be rewarded for your research, creative and scholarly activities?

You could be awarded a ¼ time Research Assistantship for one or two semesters and be paid five hours a week at $9.75 per hour.

Would you like some help in paying your tuition?

You could be eligible for a partial Tuition Waiver for one or two semesters!

Would you like support for supplies and travel while engaged in research, creative and scholarly activities?

You could receive $500 for travel expenses, supplies or materials among other things to support your project!

Please call or visit: Office of Research & Grants: 974-2526, ADM 216 http://www.uco.edu/facres/student_research/rcsa.html

Application Deadline: 5:00 PM, Thursday, February 18, 2010

STUDENTS STUDY SONDHEIM

By Jenefar DeLeon / Staff Writer The course is open to the community as well as for students interested in learning more about Sondheim. The course will meet in UCO’s School of Music building for five Wednesdays 4:30-5:50 p.m., beginning March 10 and ending April 21.

“It’s exciting,” Dr. Greg White, director of music theatre at UCO said. “This is a great opportunity for the community and non-majors to see what goes on in our department.”

At the end of the course, the students will take a trip to the University of Tulsa where Sondheim himself will appear in person.

White said that is a major part of his excitement over the course. Students will not only learn about him and his success, but then they will have the opportunity to see Sondheim in person. Along with the appearance of Sondheim, Frank Rich will also make an appearance. Rich is a well-known New York Times music theater critic.

The coursework of the class will include outside reading materials, video viewing, and class discussion over Sondheim’s lyrics, collaborations and influence in the music theater world.

“He has bridged the gap between the golden age of music theater to contemporary music,” White said.

Sondheim will also be celebrating his 80th birthday this spring, which White said is perfect timing for this class.

UCO adjunct instructor and veteran music theater director Billie Thrash will teach the

course. She has personally worked in the production of “Folly” with Sondheim.

“I was amazingly nervous and excited at the same time,” Thrash said. “To have his presence in a production is an exciting experience.”

White said Thrash and himself have been talking about conducting classes discussing composures like Sondheim, and believe this would be especially exciting due to the fact that Sondheim will be in Oklahoma this spring.

“This is a major opportunity,” Thrash said.

“To have the chance to meet and talk to Sondheim himself is extremely exciting. We are very lucky to have him in Oklahoma.”

Thrash said she is not only excited to see Sondheim himself, but also to see Rich. She said that to see these two men, who have been successful in their fields, is a wonderful opportunity.

The course is free for UCO students and $35 for community members, in addition the cost of a temporary park pass.

Thrash said anyone who is a fan of music theater, or has enjoyed one of Sondheim’s works will like this course. She has described Sondheim’s work as being unique and reflecting current society.

“I will always be a great admirer of Sondheim,” Thrash said. “He has been influential to young composers in the past 50 years.”

Vista Writer Jenefar de Leon can be reached at jdeleon@uco360.com.

6

NEWS

NEWS

7

Travel

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer Could UCO have its own hometown version of Bear Grylls? Perhaps not quite, but if memory serves, the star of “Man vs.

Wild” hasn’t earned a doctorate in analytical chemistry.

Dr. John Bowen, an avid outdoorsman and professor of chemistry at UCO, will give students an opportunity to share his love of the great wide open, as well as foster their development as young leaders, with a study tour of a stretch of white water rapids along the Colorado River this summer.

The tour, known officially as LEAD 4970, will have students spend five days and four nights navigating the waters and camping on the coasts of a section of the Colorado River near the small town of Kremlin, Colo.

Bowen is confident students will finish the course as better leaders than they were entering the trip.

“Running and captaining a whitewater raft is the epitome of leadership practiced,” Bowen said.

To be specific, the type of leadership this trip is meant to imbue is called “servant leadership.” This variety of leading approaches the idea of heading a group on two separate fronts.

This could be either by rendering a service while in charge of a group, such as captaining a crew on a white water raft while also safeguarding each crew member’s health, or serving a group by reacting quickly and concisely to a given order.

Bowen compared the idea to one that is familiar to many aspiring leaders. “(Servant leadership) is like the Boy Scouts’ buddy system on steroids,” Bowen said.

The professor should know. Bowen’s idea was born in part while training Boy Scouts about hiking and white water rafting in Wyoming in the 1970s.

The buddy system charges each member

PHOTO PROVIDED

PROFESSOR OFFERS LEADERSHIP TOUR

Dr. John Bowen, a chemistry professor at UCO, will host a tour of Colorado’s white water rapids this summer. The tour is being held to teach students the importance of servant leadership. “(Servant leadership) is like the Boy Scouts’ buddy system on steroids,” Bowen said.

of a partnership with the responsibility of the other. In Bowen’s scenario, however, students could potentially serve a bevy of roles as group leaders. “(Students) will be learning to run their own white water raft, and not only that, but captain the boat for a bunch of others,” Bowen said.

“As a boatman, you have to use every trick in your kit. At any time you may play the role of doctor, lifeguard, cook, waiter, sanitary engineer, or babysitter.”

The inaugural study tour to the Colorado River, one that Bowen admits has him excited, will take place this summer, featuring two separate sessions. The first session will take place from May 18-26, and the second from June 18-27.

The particular rapids students will navigate should offer a challenge for beginning rafters, but Bowen insists the white waters the group will be on are not excessively dangerous.

“Rapids rate from one to six. One is something your mom would want you to do, fives are like ‘maneuver or die’ and sixes are ‘just die’,” Bowen said.

The rapids UCO students will brave on the tour rate from two to three.

The leadership course in Colorado is one of many in UCO’s study course program, which Bowen regards as one of the most innovative opportunities at the university. “(Study tours) are like intensive tourism, except that you learn a hell of a lot more about where you’re going than you would just traveling around,” Bowen said.

Fees for the summer tours, in addition to tuition costs, include a $300 guide and shuttle fee, approximately $100 for travel to Kremlin, Colo., and $40 for the group’s food budget.

Education

TRAVELING ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS

By Amy Stinnett / Staff Writer

For students who are interested in learning about traveling abroad, it is not too late to enroll in Intro to Global Competencies.

Intro to Global Competencies is being offered for the first time here at the University of Central Oklahoma. It offers one hour of credit to students who want to be better travelers.

“The goal is to cover everything a student needs from first thought of travel through the entire experience abroad, until they arrive home safely,” Dr. T.H. Baughman, history professor and Centre for Global Competency officer said.

Intro to Global Competencies is a block one course, meaning that it ends after spring break. The class sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-2:50 p.m.

“It promises to be a course that will save you money and enhance your international travel experience,” Baughman said.

Examples of what a student will learn in the class are off-thebeaten-path locations they may not have known of otherwise, how to find the finest restaurant at the best price, and the types of items every serious traveler should be sure to include in his or her baggage.

Baughman will have explained by the course’s end how to plan an efficient itinerary, find comfortable and safe lodging, and the best sights for a well-balanced travel experience.

“The course content is based on a lifetime of travel,” Baughman said.

Baughman, who returned just last week from lecturing in

New Zealand, has traveled widely for the last 40 years, primarily in Europe and to some degree in Asia. He has made more than 30 trips to Antarctica and several trips to the Arctic, including one to the North Pole.

His course emphasizes the practical aspects of travel, especially how to get the most out of your money, which is important to college students. In it many tips will be offered on how to enhance the overall quality of the trip.

Baughman has led 22 study abroad programs and has more than 1,ooo days of experience taking students across the world in an educational setting.

In a world where globalization seems to be the buzzword, it is advantageous to any young adult to have firsthand experience in travel.

Baughman described a scenario in which a student who had taken his course may be approached by a potential client or investor while abroad. This person could, without flinching, mention three great restaurants in the area where they could dine and discuss their business matters.

“I want you to know this stuff,” Baughman said of any student who has plans for traveling abroad.

Because he wants students to know this stuff, he is allowing them to register even after the first week of classes. He will even send a synopsis on Saturday of what was covered in class to any latecomers.

If you are interested in a course like this, or maybe just need one more credit hour, the CRN is HIST 4910.

flash for Cash!

Vista Photographer Needed

8

CLASSIFIED

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

Nanny Position Avaliable

The Language Company: Edmond

Monday 2 pm to 9 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 2 pm to 6:30. 3 children ages 2, 4, 10. Interested- call Kristi: 580-554-2264

Accountant And BookKeeper Needed Urgently For more information contact okadatakesh@gmail. com

Server Positions Available

Perculs Lakeside. Apply within. 748-6113

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Conveniently located on the UCO campus, offers English as a second language classes for international students/individuals.

NOW FEATURING a specially designed program with: With Strong emphasis in listening /speaking, highly interactive classes , and new and improved TOEFL program.

Enjoy small classes and the campus facilities. Contact us at (405) 341-2125 or www. thelanguagecompany.com

FOR RENT

Shogun’s Steak Room For Rent House Of Japan Very nice bedroom, large Hiring for waitstaff, busers, dishwashers, host, bar tender. Apply in person at Northpark Mall (NW 127nd N. May) after 5:30 pm. 749-

closet, desk, tv, private bath, internet, kithcen privileges, bus services laundry privileges. Mile from campus.

341-3276

Teacher Needed 2 Bedrooms For Immediately For Rent Furnished and nonfurEdmond Daycare nished, walking distance of FT/PT experience preferred. Competitive wages.

Apply in person @ 24 NW 146th or call Camelot CDC @ 749-2262

PT Billing Tech

OPT North is hiring a part -time/PRN PT billing tech.

Some duties include: Posting of daily charges, billing/ collections, working the AR report, typing/filling, writing up deposits.

Pkease fax your resume to 936-6496, if you would like to discuss the OPT opportunities. Oklahoma Physical Therapy Clinic that specializes in orthopedic spine and extremity injuries.

Need Dough?

Big Sky Bread Company is looking for a friendly and energetic person for slicing bread and helping customers. Please apply at 6606 North Western Avenue

Nanny For Infant

2-5 days a week. Call Cheryl at 759-9241

UCO. 590-7719

New Townhouse APT, 3 bd, 3 ba, Across 1. Reprimand, with “out” w/d Hookup NO PETS! 1-1/1 blk from UCO. 1107 E. Campbell.

NO PETS! $1125/mo, plus deposit. Tenant pays all utilities. 641-0712

1 Bedroom Apartment

Gas and water paid. NO PETS! Located near UCO. 1209 N. Roosevelt $375.00/ MO. + Deposit 641-0712

House for Rent

375.00 + utilities. No pets!

No smoking! Call Patty 4088765

ROOMATES

Roomate Needed

3 bedroom large. Located off campus with in walking distance. Pets allowed. I cook. 513-8318

BUY BOOKS

Best In Casual Dinning

Text Books

Bought and sold, new & used, online buybacks. Buy, We are looking for enthu- sell, rent at cheapbooks.com siastic and friendly individu- (260) 399-6111, Espanol als to add to our team!

(212) 380-1763, urdu/hindi/ Now hiring for both AM punjabi (713) 429-4981, see and PM Servers site for other support lines.

Please Apply in person Monday- Thursday between 2 and 4 pm.

Charleston’s Edmond 3409 S. Broadway Ste 400 Edmond, OK 73013 (405) 478-4949

V

Reporters Needed The Vista is looking for reporters to help cover campus news. Ten hours a week at minimum wage, plus invalucable experience gathering and writing news, which will result in classy cutlines for your portfolio. Stop by The Vista office, room 131, in the Mass Communications bldg, or inquire at 974-5548.

Do the right Thing, Recycle this issue of The Vista.

Go Green!

5. Tablet 9. Not domesticated 14. Bounce back, in a way 15. Man devoted to a life of pleasure 16. Past 17. Place for money 20. Class of organic compounds 21. Nasal mucus 22. ___ cross 23. “___ to Billie Joe” 25. “___ bad!”

26. Clairvoyance, e.g.

27. Showing off 33. Gift tag word 34. Ring bearer, maybe 35. “Buenos ___” 37. Western Samoan cupronickel 38. Grammar topic 41. Mouth, in slang 43. Eastern discipline 45. ___ el Amarna, Egypt 46. Almond 47. Term of advisement 51. Fed. construction overseer 53. P.I., e.g.

54. ___ lab 55. Rumanian coin 56. Furnace output 58. Type of ape 63. Poor conduct on the field 66. Banana oil, e.g.

67. “B.C.” cartoonist 68. “Ah, me!”

69. Affirmatives 70. European language 71. Former native rulers of Tunisia

Down 1. Call’s companion 2. Advil target 3. Put an edge on 4. Bananas 5. Kneeling bench for prayer 6. Carbonium, e.g.

7. Big galoots 8. Shack 9. Sidebar item 10. “I” problem 11. Soldiers’ long march 12. Former monetary units of India 13. Abate 18. Door feature 19. Masked critter 24. Flight data, briefly 27. Lizard, old-style 28. Inside shot?

29. Total devastations 30. Adult insect 31. About to explode 32. Positions 36. Garment worn by Hindu women 39. Neuter 40. Protract 42. Nipper 44. Creates 48. At no time, poetically 49. Excoriate 50. Drops from the sky 51. Sticky 52. Taste, e.g.

57. Boris Godunov, for one 59. Give away 60. Digestion aid 61. “Comme ci, comme ca” 62. 1987 Costner role 64. ___ Dee River 65. “___ Doubtfire”

SUDOKU

JAN. 12 ANSWERS

SCRAMBLE

5 4 7 1 6 3 2 8 9

6 1 2 8 9 7 5 3 4

8 9 3 5 4 2 7 6 1

9 7 6 4 2 1 8 5 3

4 3 8 6 5 9 1 7 2

1 2 5 3 7 8 9 4 6

3 5 9 2 8 4 6 1 7

7 6 1 9 3 5 4 2 8

2 8 4 7 1 6 3 9 5

SPORTS

9

NFL

SHAR O N EL L M AN A S SO CIAT ED P RE S S

EDITOR’S PICKS: NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

By Chris Wescott / Sports Editor I find myself caught up in the NFL playoffs although, once again, my team the Buffalo Bills are on the outside looking in. The wild-card round brought one of the most exciting games seen all year in Arizona versus Green Bay, as well as some other surprises, such as Baltimore’s 33-14 rout of New England, or the Cowboy’s 34-14 romp of the Eagles.

This weekend is the divisional round, which features several sureto-be close and exciting games in the lineup. Looking at the match-ups and spreads, I will give my own personal predictions.

Beginning on the NFC conference, there are two games to be played this weekend. Saturday afternoon pits the resurgent New Orleans Saints against the “just happy to be here” Arizona Cardinals.

The Saints are hosting this game, after going 13-3 in the regular season and winning the NFC South. Led by the quarterback leadership and poise of Drew Brees, the Saints leapt out to a 13-0 start to the season. However, they are now trying to do something that has never been done before: win the Super Bowl despite finishing the regular season with three straight losses. That is a difficult feat to accomplish.

It won’t get any easier Saturday when seasoned veteran quarterback, Kurt Warner, leads his Arizona Cardinals into New Orleans. The Cardinals are lucky to still be in the playoffs following their 51-45 overtime victory over Green Bay, in which they had to rely on a fumble return for a touchdown in overtime to win.

Looking at this game, I see a lot of offense. The score will be high, and will most likely be pretty close. The opening line was the Saints by seven.

I believe the line will go down before kickoff, maybe ending around Saints by four or 4.5. I will take the Saints in this one, 42-35.

Saturday’s AFC match-up is going to be a good one. The surprising Ravens will get a rematch against the Manning-led Colts. Indianapolis has the home field advantage, which means little to the Baltimore Ravens who thrive on the road and love being the underdog.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will need to be mistake free, and Baltimore will need to lean heavily on running backs Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. Peyton Manning, quarterback of the Colts, is playing some of his best football to date, and that is saying something.

Indianapolis is favored by seven in the opening spread, and I expect it to hover around that area. However, I am going against the grain with

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) reacts after the Cowboys won an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 34-14.

this pick. I think Baltimore has the perfect mold of a football team. Run the football, and stop the run. I am picking Baltimore to win this game 24-21.

On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings will meet in one of the more exciting games of this playoff schedule. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo has shown he can win a playoff game. Brett Favre is playing like he did years ago when he was leading a team with cheesehead fans to the playoffs.

The big story line in this contest, at least for me, is the defensive play of the Cowboys. We all know about that second-ranked offensive attack in the league. However, no one mentions how the Cowboys are also ranked ninth in total defense, and their play only got better as we

headed toward the playoffs.

As for my prediction, this is a hard game to pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Minnesota Vikings won this game. In fact, prior to last week, I was going to pick them hands down.

They were my favorite for the NFC spot in the Super Bowl starting the season, but I have to say these Dallas Cowboys are pretty good.

So I went with a coin flip. The Vikings are favored by three, and at home, that is respectable. I, however, am picking Dallas to win this one 31-24.

The final game on the playoff schedule is between the Jets and the Chargers. I love the Chargers this season. They are a great team, and are my favorites to go all the way–solid defense, explosive offense and minimal mistakes. That being

said, they have their work cut out for them.

The New York Jets head into San Diego, fresh off an impressive win over the Bengals in the first round.

The Jets have the No. 1 defense in the league, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer finally figured out that the key to winning with a rookie quarterback is lean on the run and limit his passes.

Even so, I see the Chargers covering the seven-point spread at home and winning the game 24-14. This would pit the Baltimore Ravens against the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game and the New Orleans Saints against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship game. We’ll see if this is how it turns out this weekend.

EL ISE AM EN D O L A A S SO CIAT ED P RE S S

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) celebrates with teammate Derrick Mason (85) after scoring a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage during the first quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010.

Write for the Team

Writer Needed Vista Sports Call 974-5123

10

SPORTS

UCO Softball

BRONCHO SOFTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

By Tiuanna Harris / Staff Writer

Last year the UCO softball team had their ups and downs, and they’re now looking to come back strong this season.

Last season their records were broken, and high-ranked opponents were taken down as well in one of the most disappointing games in the postseason according to UCO head softball coach Genny Stidham. The most disappointing game played last season was the first game of the postseason at the Lone Star Conference tournament.

“It was absolutely terrible, but the girls didn’t fall apart,” said Stidham. “They came back the next day and won a few games, and came back the next day and fought hard and won a few.”

Other notable wins during the season were the games against historically high-ranked Midwestern and the comeback win against Washburn.

Some of the key players last season were Alley Roberts, who hit a grand slam to tie the ballgame against Midwestern, Molly Shivers, who pitched the majority of the games last season, and Niki

CHRIS WESCOTT

Hunt, a transfer student from Rose State College.

“She (Hunt) had some big-time hits in pressure situations, when the pressure was on she was extremely tough,” said Stidham. “We are expecting her to do a lot of stuff for us as an upperclassman.”

The team currently has four seniors and one junior that the coach is looking to for leadership of the other girls.

“It’s going to be a learning year, and I expect it’s going to be a tough year,” said Stidham. “I’m hoping that those five upperclassmen can reach back and lead the team to a winning season.”

Some of the key players for the upcoming season are Kelsey Tiger, who according to Stidham is one of the top catchers she’s had here at UCO, and Ashley Knolls, a transfer from Oklahoma Christian with pending eligibility, who will be a key hitter.

Looking forward to the upcoming season, Stidham stated some of the big-time rivals of UCO are Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Midwestern State University from the North Division. From the South Division

PHOTO SERVICES

The University of Central Oklahoma softball team is ready to begin their 2010 season.

Brittany Zimmerman [16] winds up to pitch. She returns to UCO as a senior this season.

notable rivals would be Abilene Christian University and Angelo State University.

Stidham has been head coach for the Bronchos for 13 years. She has been through a lot of different mixes of talent here at UCO and stated that there is always some-

thing to learn and different things to try out.

“I get new graduate assistants that come in, and the majority of them are interested in playing softball or coaching softball, so they bring in a lot fresh ideas,” said Stidham. “Each year I get different

They’re Back!

THE WEST AND WESCOTT SPORTS TALK SHOW HAS RETURNED FRIDAYS FROM NOON TO 3 PM ON ED 90.1 HD2

talent. Sometimes I get girls that have a lot of speed, so you play a different type of softball. Just depends on what type of girls you get in and you go with that.”

The Bronchos’ first game is scheduled Feb. 5 at 1 p.m., against Missouri Western State University.

ANTHONY WEST