The Vista Dec. 1, 2005

Only 2 more Vista's left this semester

Review: The Ice Harvest, See Pg. 8 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

The

Student

Voice Since www.thevistaonline.com

1903 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2005

DPS says 'threat' message found in business bathroom directed at AfricanAmerican's safety Police describe message found Nov. 21 as 'threatening violence' on Nov. 29 Day passes without incident; DPS investigating case as a hate crime

by Brett Deering Vista Staff Writer A written message that indicated violence would be carried out against African Americans in the Business Building on Nov. 29 was found in a Business Building restroom and reported to the UCO Department of Public Safety Nov. 21.

Security measures were taken

by DPS, and Nov. 29 passed without incident.

Jeff Harp, DPS director, said a member of the UCO community reported the message to DPS. Notices posted on all doors to the Business Building by DPS stated that a message had been found in the building on Nov, 21 that "Threatens violence against African-Americans in the Business Administration Building on Tuesday, November 29," and that DPS had taken measures to "help ensure everyone's safety."

Harp said due to an investigation he could not provide specific details of the message', but said the threat was directed towards African-Americans in the Business Building.

"I wish I could go into more detail, but all I can convey is it was a message that we believe was threatening," Harp said.

Harp said DPS had "taken appropriate steps" to increase security in and around the Business Building and on campus through the end of the semester.

"We have increased routine patrols and are focusing more of our discretionary time in that area," he said.

Charlie Johnson, UCO News Bureau director, said announcements of the threat were made to students, faculty and staff through UCONNECT,

Centralities and the local media.

"We decided that we needed to actively work to inform everybody on campus that this threatening message was discovered," Johnson said. "Because we have so many students that don't live on campus, we decided we needed to contact outside media as well.

"When it was discovered on the twenty-first, was when DPS really started putting into effect some precautionary steps to help ensure everyone's safety, and they remain in effect," Johnson said.

Harp said while DPS will lead the investigation, the department had been in contact with the Federal Bureau of Investigation because the incident had been classified as a hate crime.

"Because this is a hate crime

Please see THREAT, page 3

by Vista photographer Brett Deering

Students go about their daily routine Nov. 29 in the Business Administration Building. DPS presence was increased in the building and across campus after a message that threatened violence to African-Americans was discovered in a men's bathroom in the building Nov. 21. The exact contents of the message have not been released as part of an ongoing investigation.

UCO named training site for Paralympics

by Elizabeth Erwin Vista Staff Writer UCO has been chosen to host Olympic-level training and competitive events, and is one of only eight U.S. locations that will host such events for the Paralympics.

"UCO has been named a `community partner' with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC)," said Mark Herrin,

by Trisha Evans Vista Senior Staff Writer

Luminary Speaker Series on DVD,

by Vista Staff Writer Nathan Winfrey.

See Pg. 4 Wind Ensembles Concert 8 p.m. Dec. 1 in Mitchell Hall.

See Pg. 6 INDEX

www.thevistaonline com

Please see PARA, page 3

ISC elects three new officers at weekly meeting

INSIDE

Opinion 2 News 3 Classifieds 10 Sports 12

UCO Wellness director.

UCO can now host Olympic training camps, trials, and similar competitions, said Steve Kreidler UCO executive vice president for Administration.

Katrina Shaklee, UCO Disabled Sports director, said signing this deal means big things for UCO. "For example, if the USOC

by Vista photographer Justin Avera

Top: A sign for WinterGlow hangs on a light pole on the west side of Old North Nov. 29. Bottom: Students climb the stairs next to a Christmas display Nov. 29 at the Max Chambers Library.

The International Student Council elected three new officers in its weekly meeting Nov. 28 in the Robert S. Kerr Room of the Nigh University Center.

Josephine Mangoli, president of the Kenyan Student Association, was elected president after serving a one-year term as council vice president.

Mangoli will receive a $1,000 tuition waiver each semester she serves as ISC president.

"What I hope to achieve this term is the improvement of international student academics," Mangoli said in the ISC presidential debate Nov. 21.

Mangoli said she plans to increase the popularity of ISC among international students.

"If we are moving forward, lets get all members together and all the organizations active," she said.

Juliana Marin, president of the Association of Latin American Students, was elected vice president.

Richard Abia, a member of the African Student Association, was elected as ISC senator.

Nataliya Miteva, ISC secretary, Azusa Maida, ISC treasurer, and Mohammad Khan, ISC public relations officer, will retain their positions on

Please see ISC, page 4

by Vista photographer Naomi Takebuchi

From left: Jayme Petete, music theatre freshman, Kelly Claunch, music theatre sophomore, Jenny Wright, music theatre freshman, and Erin Heatly, music theatre sophomore, rehearse a scene from the "Top Ten" skit as part of the "Free Alcohol Awareness Program" Nov. 30 in Constitution Hall.

Students prep for one-night alcohol awareness project

by Courtney Bryce Vista Staff Writer The Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Arts, with the help of about a dozen other departments, will host the Free Alcohol Awareness Project at 8 p.m. December 5 in Constitution Hall.

Daisy Bristow, theatre instructor and coordinator of the event, said about 12 departments put the project together.

She said she started recruiting

people at the beginning of the semester.

"What I did at the beginning of the year was I went around and asked people if they wanted to be part of an alcohol awareness program," Bristow said.

Bristow said Dr. Robert McGill, chairperson of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Arts, asked her if she would put something together for alcohol awareness.

"Originally, I think he just

Please see AWARE, page 3

State's wildfire situation improves

(AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Paul Hellstern) An Oklahoma City firefighter sprays water on the leading edge of a grass fire which burned a large area northwest of NW 192nd and May Avenue in Oklahoma City Nov. 29. See State News, Pg. 5

2

OPINION

December 1, 2005

THEVISTA Editorial

Photography

Kelley Chambers, Editor in Chief Ashley Romano, Managing Editor Matt Cauthron, Sports Editor

Justin Avera Naomi Takebuchi

Advertising

Copy Desk Michael Robertson, Copy Chief Ashlie Campbell, Copy Editor

Elizabeth Erwin, Ad Director Radina Gigova Stefanie Rooney

News

Cartoons/Illustrations

Trisha Evans, Senior Staff Writer Courtney Bryce, Staff Writer Brett Deering, Staff Writer Nathan Winfrey, Staff Writer

Cary Stringfield

Sports Harry Gatewood III, Senior Sports Writer

Secretary Nancy Brown

Adviser Mark Zimmerman

Tyler Martin, Sports Writer

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 and does not publish anonymous letters.

Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 107.

Letters can be e-mailed to editor@thevistaonline.corn.

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 on Thursdays only during summer, at the University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034. Telephone: (405) 9745549. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.

EDITORIALS Opinion columns, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. Editorial cartoons do not necessarily represent the views of the artist. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

Cartoon by Cary Stringfield

STAFF EDITORIAL: A MESSAGE OF HATE AT UCO

T

here are ways of doing things that are proper and civil, and others that are sneaky and downright evil.

-= ft ' 'SeetnS as though someone does not like African.Alberiegns and left h not& thYeatening violence toward them in a men's room in the Business Administration Building Nov. 21.

This act was cowardly, •ost the state money and resotices and gained the university negative media attention.

The person who left the message should be prosecuted

under hate crime laws and made to answer for their actions.

In cases such as this there is, however, a right way to do things. Right, meaning law abiding.

If the person who wrote the message has a gripe with African-Americans they need to drop the cloak and dagger tactics and let their views be known.

Perhaps this person could stop by the Office of Campus Life and apply for permission to set up a table in the Nigh University Center to tell

one and all that they do not like African-Americans. The message of violence must be omitted, but this person could make posters to air his or her grievances. Perhaps this person could gain permission to walk around Broncho Lake wearing a sandwich board denouncing African-Americans and any other group this person has a beef with.

Another option would be to check with the City of Edmond about what it would take to get a permit to walk up and down Broadway carrying signs that state that he or she does not like African-Americans.

The Vista can be another outlet. Barring hate speech, the paper prints letters to the editor that carry the authors name, major and classification.

These are just a few of the ways that one could legally go about telling all who would listen that they dislike AfricanAmericans.

Lively discussion would surely follow and this person could be assured of chatting with plenty of UCO's AfricanAmerican students, professors and administrators and people would be able to put a name with a face.

We can only hope that the

person who left this message culture that is both strong and was a misguided drifter who active. happened upon that particular Hopefully, this will be the bathroom or a time traveler last we will all hear of this and from the Civil War who was a lesson has been learned. No not aware that all men are cre- one should ever feel threatened ated equal. or intimidated about coming to Barring a drifter or a time school or going to class. We traveler, if this person was one can all hope this was an isolated of our own it is a shameful incident and if it was a time reflection on this person and on traveler, hopefully he will take our campus community. back with him the message that Violence or threats of vio- in 2005 at UCO we all work lence are never funny, they are together, side by side, for better not a college prank and such or worse, despite what we look instances are not taken lightly. like or where we came from.

Our campus is home to students of many races and ethnici- The Vista Editorial Board can be ties. We have a lively diverse reached at editorial@thevistaonline.

COM.

Personal care and local resources for pregnant students

A Dose

H

aving a baby is hard

enough without worrying how you're going to pay for it. Students juggle checkbooks, credit card debt, schedules, and relationships, all of which combine to strike a delicate balance. The addition of a child to your already busy life can seem overwhelming, even when pregnancy is something that you've have been planning and the very thought keeps you smiling throughout the day.

Regardless of current economic status as a student, pre-

Callie A. Collins

natal care is necessary for your own health, but also for the child on the way. Schedule an appointment with your physician as soon as possible, preferably a few weeks after the proverbial line turns pink. He or she should refer you to a qualified obstetrician, but don't hesitate to ask friends and family for their recommendations.

Obstetrical appointments monitor the development of your growing baby, provide some screening for genetic conditions or anomalies, and help you feel at ease. Personal ques-

tions, many of which are new concerns for first-time mothers, can be handled at routine appointments for both overall health and peace of mind. Nutrition, a common source of anxiety, is discussed to make sure you're not gaining too much or too little weight. You'll also know who to call for any potential emergencies.

You should feel comfortable with the person whom you'll be seeing regularly for the next nine months. Working with I-IMOs and federal programs like Medicaid, for which you may suddenly be applicable according to income level and similar factors, may strictly limit your choices, but are preferable to foregoing specialized attention.

Many women choose to enroll in a temporary insurance plan that , specifically covers prenatal, birth, and some follow-up care. Alternative practitioners like midwives or doulas for a home delivery remain an indi-

vidual choice, and checking into certification is worth asking on an interview prior to engaging their services.

Daily choices make a major difference in any pregnancy's outcome, especially during the first three months when important anatomical systems like those of the heart and brain are being formed.

Not drinlcing alcohol or using drugs, even if your suspicions haven't yet been confirmed, is a crucial step. Smoking has been proven to adversely affect children's behavior later in life from fetal exposure to secondhand smoke, but infants are also more likely to be weak at birth.

Seek support to kick the habit now and you'll both feel better.

Gradually wean yourself off of caffeine-laden beverages like cappuccinos and colas. Most experts agree that a daily cup of coffee with cream or a limit of two sodas is fine. Also avoid energy drinks and stick to fully cooked foods. Sushi, homemade eggnog, and raw cookie dough should occupy your tem-

porary list of foods to avoid.

A multivitamin that includes 400 mcg. of folic acid will also help supplement your diet. Take it with food close to bedtime, especially if morning sickness has been a problem. Plenty of water and fiber-rich foods like crunchy fruits and vegetables, rice and cereals can also help with the constipation that most pregnant women feel sooner or later.

As your waistline expands, your wallet may seem to suddenly shrink between maternal clothes, extra food, and the costs of prenatal care in addition to regular expenses. The following public health and community-oriented options can give you advice and assistance.

Special thanks to Sunshine Cowan, Community Health Program instructor of the Kinesiology department, for her collaboration on the following resources.

UCO Student Health Center Pregnancy tests, STD testing, annual exams, birth control, emergency contraceptive, inexpensive condoms. Prenatal care referral list for pregnant females.

Wellness Center, Room 105 UCO Campus (405) 974-2317 Birth Choice of Oklahoma Free, confidential pregnancy tests, counseling, and early ultrasound.

11A Burton Pl. Edmond, OK 73013 (405) 330-2111 Hope Center — for Edmond Residents only.

Reduced rates for prenatal care, WIC food and supplies services.

1215 N Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 (405) 348-4680 Callie A. Collins can be reached at ccollins@thevistaonline.com .

WORD ON THE STREET: A MESSAGE THREATENING AFRICAN-AMERICANS WAS FOUND IN A BATHROOM NOV. 21 Compiled and photographed by Justin Avera.

How do you think UCO ranks as a whole on issues of race, gender and ethnic diversity and acceptance?

"I feel that UCO is very diverse but you can't fault the university for one man's ignorance."

"UCO is a very culturally diverse place...but you will always have a select few who do not want to be open to different types of people and who fear anything that is different. "

"Nobody really brings the race issue up. We all get along together, or until that letter came up."

Michelle Shelley

Alex Springer

Shayla Daniels

Kimila Combs

Art 2-D studio, junior

Political science, sophomore

Undecided, freshman

Musical theatre, senior

"I never thought there was any problems until I heard about the note."

NEWS

December 1, 2005

THREAT: Campus on alert after note found in bathroom Needy kids

in for yearly presidential Christmas party at UCO

from page 1

and can be prosecuted through federal court, we felt they were the best agency to help provide us information," Harp said. "The FBI has hate crime specialists that we can have access to, and that's why we contacted them."

"I don't know what form the message was in," Johnson said. He said as far as he understood, the message didn't specify threats to students or an individual, just African-Americans in general.

"I didn't see the language, so I don't know how that was expressed," he said.

Dr. Michael Shirley, dean of the College of Business Administration, said DPS informed him of the threat message and he passed the information on to the college.

"I sent that notice out to my faculty and staff

by Elizabeth Erwin Vista Staff Writer

by Vista photographer Brett Deering

Robbie Cockrell, accounting senior, walks out of the Business Administration Building Nov. 29 past a sign notifying students, faculty and staff about a message found in a men's bathroom in the building Nov. 21. University officials said the message threatened violence directed toward African-Americans specifically on Nov. 29. The UCO Department of Public Safety said police presence was increased, and will remain so around campus until the end of the semester.

so that everybody would be aware of it," Shirley said. "I also indicated that I wanted them to assist any colleague, any staff member or any student as we might need to

as we handle this issue."

Shirley said he had not seen the actual message nor had knowledge of the exact language of the threat.

"Obviously, what I

hope is that it's some very terrible, hateful graffiti and that's all," Shirley said.

Harp said if anyone had knowledge or information about the threat to

call the UCO DPS 974-2345.

Brett Deering can be reached at bdeering@thevistaonline. corn.

The annual UCO President's Club Holiday Party will take place from 12 to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Grand Ballroom on the third floor of the Nigh University Center.

The party is for children from nine Edmond elementary schools, said Emily Overocker, assistant director of New Student and Leadership Programs. She said most of the children were Chosen by their school counselors.

Katrina Harper, student president of the President's Club, said scheduled party events include a holiday craft, caroling and a visit from Santa Claus.

"This is one of the most important things that happens at UCO," Harper said.

"This year we have a record

Please see PARTY, page 4

AWARE: More than a dozen campus groups participating in event from page 1

wanted a few skits done," Bristow said.

Bristow said she read about an alcohol awareness program that the Dickinson State University in North Dakota put together using dance, music and theatre.

"I thought, 'That would be cool,"' Bristow said. "Kind of taking their tip I decided I'd just ask everybody."

Bristow said the project eSca,;(;, late& throughout the semester and now has about 170 students and faculty involved.

"This is the show that keeps on growing," Bristow said. "It does teach leadership. There hasn't been a theatrical event that has used as many departments."

1 think it has pulled together nicely," said Donna Dickson, theater instructor and production stage manager, Bristow said the evening will start in the lobby with about 50 poster presentations by the departments of Human Environmental Science, Kinesiology and Health Studies and Occupational and Technology Education. She said hot cocoa, cookies and brownies will be served.

"People can learn about community service and how to be a responsible member of the community," Bristow said.

by Vista photographer Naomi Takebuchi

Jayme Petete (seated), music theatre freshman, introduces fun things to do when people are drunk during a rehearsal of the skit "Top Ten" for the Alcohol Awareness Program Nov. 30 in Constitution Hall.

Bristow said the performance portion of the program, which includes a collaboration of scenes, DVD presentations and monologues from students with real-life experiences with alcohol, will start at 8:30.

Arisha Brown, psychology senior, said she will speak about her brother, who died after crashing his motorcycle on July 18, 2003.

"He was doing about 160 without a helmet and drove

around a curve at night," Brown said. "Of course, alcohol was involved."

Brown said this will be the first time she speaks about it publicly and may be the last.

"He left kids behind and it's hard on them as well as the rest of the family," Brown said. "Be more careful about the decisions you make, because if affects everyone around you."

Dickson and Bristow said their beginning acting classes

We are looking for

you

Have you completed news reporting and have a passion for the news?

Come by and let us know you're interested and you can become part of the student press.

Applications now being accepted.

Look for the We can be reached at Communications 974-5549 or email us at Building, and our offices mzimmerman@ucok.edu are in room 107.

are acting out various scenes portraying the effects alcoholism has on human behavior.

"It's all part of their hands-on training," Bristow said. "They all have a highlighted part in the show. They also wrote all the scenes."

Bristow said several faculty members will also perform, including Dr. John Garic, associate dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies and Research.

"They are enthusiastic," Bristow said. "They are happy to be here."

"You take your average professor and they're pretty comfortable in front of a crowd of people," Dickson said.

Danielle Dill, assistant director for Programs and Services at the Wellness Center, said they will give the fraternity or sorority with the highest attendance, over 75 percent a choice-of a • run through . the ropes course or a punch card for ten fitness classes.

"I think any time you collaborate, it brings a sense of community," Dill said. "I think it's really neat the arts are a part of this. It's a creative way to present information related to alcohol. " Dill said intramural teams can also earn points by attending.

Bristow said the Students Health Advisory Committee will act as the day-of host, which includes setting up and ushering. She said other event sponsors are Bacchus, the Panhellenic Council and the Inter Fraternity Council.

Bristow said the event is free.

Courtney Bryce can be reached at cbryce@thevistaonline.com.

3

PARA from page 1 saw we were a hotbed for volleyball, they could call on us to host an international volleyball event," Shaklee said.

"The biggest part is they are only picking eight (cities) across the country," Kreidler said.

The USOC contacted UCO to become one of the sites to host Paralympic athletes, Shaklee said.

Kreidler said only a small group of people are even able to host events like this.

"We started working with disabled sports a few years ago," Kreidler said. He said UCO found many opportunities to help. "(UCO was) chosen because we stepped up to the plate and kept stepping up. They (the USOC) kept seeing us perform.

(It) finally led up to being asked to be part of this elite group," Kreidler said.

Shaklee said Edmond will be placed along with the high profile communities of Atlanta, Birmingham and Houston.

"We feel strongly that this (partnership) can have a positive impact on our campus in a variety of ways," Herrin said.

Herrin said disabled student athletes are already enrolling at UCO. "The research side is a huge part of the program," he said.

Kreidler said Kinesiology students will develop a level of expertise and experience in the area of disabled sports. He said the Kinesiology Department is already atti acting new students to UCO because of the Olympic connections, and internship opportunities related to the Olympics are being discussed for Kinesiology students.

"Community service is important, but this is also helping our students," Kreidler said.

Shaklee said the partnership will be good for the surrounding area, too..

"I think it will be wonderful; a great thing for this university," Shaklee said. She said the UCO staff and faculty have given great support to the initiative.

Herrin said on Dec. 12 Jim Scherr, U.S. Olympic Committee CEO, will make a formal announcement that UCO has been named a USOC training site.

He said the event will be held at the Braum's Ice Skating Rink in downtown Oklahoma City.

"Several key (USOC) staff members are flying in," Shaklee said. She said UCO President W. Roger Webb will also attend.

Shaklee said an Olympic figure skater will perform at the ceremony. She said the figure skater, whose name will be announced this week, will hold an autograph session afterward.

Herrin said there will be a reception afterward at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

IT'S TIME TO EVALUATE YOUR INSTRUCTORS Each semester, UCO offers students the opportunity to evaluate their instructors. Your comments are important and provide valuable information to instructors as they assess and revise their courses.

You may fill out the survey at your convenience any time between November 14-December 9, 2005, via either of the following methods: 1. Go directly to http://broncho.ucok.edufiquest , OR 2. Login to UCONNECT, proceed to "My Courses" and click on the "UCO Evaluations" link.

Respondents remain anonymous, and faculty members do not have access to survey results until after grades are posted.

If you have technical difficulty, assistance is available at 974-2255.

4

NEWS

December 1, 2005

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS/ MEETINGS The Accounting Club's end of the semester party at 7 p.m.

Dec. 3 in the Will Rogers Ball Room at the Nigh University Center. E-mail esauter@ucok. edu for more information.

The ISC End of the Year Party will be from 9 p.m. to midnight Dec. 2 in the lobby of Murdaugh Hall.

The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Media in collaboration with BACCHUS and the Student Health Advisory Committee will present a Free Alcohol Awareness Program at 8 p.m.

Dec. 5 in Constitution Hall at the Nigh University Center.

International graduation reception will be at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2. in Ballroom C at the Nigh University Center. For more information call 974-3377.

The Alumni Graduation Reception for December 2005 graduates will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 30 at Evans Hall in the Alumni Reunion Center. Graduates can get a free gift, massage and food and enter to win door prizes.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is hosting its fourth annual Christmas Toy & Coat Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 in the Nigh University Center. Used and new toys and coats are being accepted. Anyone who is unable to make it to the table can email zetasigma1906@yahoo. com or call Harold Lee Jr. at 255-3944 and someone from the organization will pick up the donations.

PARTY: Yearly bash invites local kids to party with President Webb from page 3 high of 280 Edmond children coming," Overocker said.

Harper said, "They (the children) will be paired with two sponsors." The two sponsors are responsible for purchasing one clothing item and one toy for the child.

Overocker said each child will also receive a backpack of

socks, gloves, underwear and a hat.

"We do ask the UCO community to donate items for backpacks," she said. The backpacks for each child are purchased through Cozy Kids, a campus organization managed through the Volunteer Center.

Harper said staff, faculty and

student donations and participation are what make the whole thing possible.

"Usually, 600 UCO people are involved," Overocker said.

Anyone who wants to donate to the party can bring donations to the Campus Life office in the Nigh University Center, Rm. 424, she said.

"Hats and gloves for first through third graders are still needed," Overocker said.

Harper said money donations will also be accepted.

"We definitely still have spots for people to volunteer," Overocker said. Volunteers will help in a variety of ways.

Harper said, "(You can) sign

up to be a volunteer at Campus Life."

Overocker said the party has been in existence over fifteen years and is just one of the programs the President's Club does each year.

Elizabeth Erwin can be reached at eerwin@thevistaonlinacom.

Dates, times set for leadership lecture series ity of which will be broadcast from Philadelphia, will be shown around the world.

Bridges said his hope had been to take UCO students to watch the broadcast at the Coca-Cola Events Center in Bricktown.

Dr. Cheryl Steele, special assistant to the president

to be gone for an entire day, so the DVD alternative became the best option.

"This was an all-day event, so I tried to mix and match different people...so they would get more than one person's perspective," Bridges said.

"It's good to view more than one so you get multiple peoples'

ers," Bridges said.

"The idea is just to provide a resource for anyone who is interested in those topics," Leadership Central and Steele said. the College of Business "There's a good cross-secAdministration will present the tion of people doing the preLuminary Lecture Series in senting," Bridges said. He said the Troy Smith Lecture Hall each presenter on leadership is in the Business Administration slightly different, but they are Building from Nov. 21 to Dec. all individual and interesting.

6.

The series also includes Jack LumaCore, the company Welch, Marcus Buckingham, that presents the Luminary Carly Fiorina and Malcolm series, sent the lectures from Gladwell. the 1 lth annual series to UCO Bridges said some profeson DVDs with the rights to sors will show the DVDs to show them for 30 days. The their classes, but said he was lectures feature leadership disappointed with the low turnexperts like Steven Covey, out to the presentations, which author of "The 7 Habits of began before Thanksgiving Highly Effective People" and Break and will continue until former New York City Mayor finals week.

Rudolph Giuliani.

"Most of the time we can't The series will play multiafford the opportunity to view ple times throughout the days this level of speaker and to to accommodate students' have them is remarkable and I

by Vista photographer Naomi Takebuchi schedules. All students, facwish more people would have Students watch a DVD Nov. 29 in the Troy Smith Lecture Hall at the Business Administration Building ulty and staff are welcome. taken advantage of this opporas part of the Luminary Lecture Series. The Series will continue through December.

"This is the first time tunity," he said. we've acquired the DVDs of "I had hoped more stuthe day-long event," said Dr. and executive director for opinions on what it takes to be a dents would have participated," Timothy Bridges, associate Leadership Programs, said the leader," he said.

Bridges said. "It's hard to gather dean of the College of Business idea of sending students and fac"We tried to arrange the this amount of knowledge about Administration. ulty to the day-long event was schedule that way so they a subject by the experts and Bridges said a live satellite not feasible because students' would have the opportunity to have them do formal presentafeed of the speakers, the major- schedules would not allow them see a cross-section of present- tions."

by Nathan Winfrey Vista Staff Writer

Steele said students can borrow books by the speakers for free from the Leadership Central office in Rm. 114 of the Lillard Administration Building.

"People say being a leader is a choice, not something you're born into. It's something you choose to do," Bridges said.

"I hope that more students can come and view. Even if it's just for one or two speakers, they will gain from that experience," he said.

Steele said, "If a few people gain from it, it's a wonderful thing."

'Sc

from page 1 the council because no one ran against them.

Lanre Daniels, current ISC president, will give his "state of the council" and farewell speech at the International Student Graduation Reception at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in Murdaugh Hall lobby.

Trisha Evans can be reached at tevans@thevistaonline.com.

0 Parade of Lights; Downtown Edmond, 6:45pm WinterGlow program at Broncho Lake with hosts Linda Cavanaugh and Kevin Ogle from KFOR, 7:30pm WinterGlow festivities, Broncho Lake and Nigh University Center (all events free!), 8:00pm Picture with Santa from Taylor Made Photography with a new unwrapped toy to be donated to the Edmond HOPE Center (1 per child) •Santa's Workshop (seasonal craftinaking) •Santds Elf Tent with storytelling and magic •Caricatures •Karaoke Caroling for the whole family

a holiday Celebration at broncho lake thursday, december 1, 2005

•Horse drawn trolley rides •Marshmallow roasting •Refreshments

InnerGlow - UCO Wind Enseinble (free concert), Mitchell Hall, 8:00pm (sponsored by College of Arts. Media & Design)

AfterGlow - "Elf" (free movie), Constitution Hall, 9:00pm (sponsored by Student Programming Board) For more information, call 974-2363 or

www.ucdc.eduicampus_life/winterglow *Parade of Lights Is a production by the Downtown Edmond Business Association DI VI SION OF

STUDENT,AFFAIRS

STATE NEWS

Firefighters continue effort to quell statewide wildfires (AP) - Water-dropping helicopters joined the fight against wildfires in Oklahoma Tuesday as winds decreased and crews made progress against blazes that have destroyed as many as 50 homes and charred more than 50,000 acres of parched land.

No serious injuries have been reported, although some firefighters have been treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.

"Things are looking up," state Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten said. "We knew if winds would come down and temperatures would warm up that would give us a good point to work from today.

It's easier for firefighters to work in warmer weather rather than in the cold."

At least five large fires

fighters to call in air support.

Flight operations were impossible Monday in winds of more than 30 mph. Three Blackhawk helicopters, each equipped with a 660-gallon bucket, were dumping water on the fires Tuesday.

No rain was in the forecast until early next week.

"We still have a lot of dry foliage on the ground," Ooten said.

The state is well off its average rainfall figures and southeastern Oklahoma is suffering through a drought. Only a trace of rain has fallen this month in central Oklahoma.

Gov. Brad Henry has issued an emergency wildfire declaration for the state, clearing the way for officials to request federal assistance for fire damage if needed.

were burning across the state Tuesday, down from more than a dozen spawned Sunday when chilly, 60 mph winds raked the state. Some of the fires began when downed power lines ignited dry grass. The cause of other fires were under investigation.

The National Weather Service reported winds of about 15 mph under sunny skies in many parts of the state Tuesday.

Ooten said two fires were burning in McIntosh County in east-central Oklahoma.

Others fires were burning in Wagoner County in northeastern Oklahoma and Stephens and Garvin counties in southcentral Oklahoma. She didn't have exact acreage totals, but estimated these fires were 70 percent contained. She said 40 to 50 families have lost their homes.

Calmer weather allowed fire-

Low state public school test scores prompt action by education officials OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Low test scores and graduation rates prompted state education officials to order 22 Oklahoma school districts, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, to improve based on federal No Child Left Behind standards.

Tulsa and Oklahoma City, the state's two largest districts, both were criticized for low graduation rates in a report presented to the state Board of Education on Tuesday.

Schools are graded on test scores, graduation rates and the number of students who take end-of-course tests. Those failing to meet those benchmarks

for two consecutive years make the "needs improvement" list.

Appearing on the list a second year, but not showing improvement are: Commerce, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Western Heights.

Appearing on the list a second year, but showing improvement are: Broken Arrow, Cache, Cameron, Canadian, Crooked Oak, Edmond, Grandfield, Idabel, Keota, McCurtain, Midwest City-Del City, Millwood, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Putnam City, Shawnee, Wynnewood, and Wynona.

The 22 school systems named Tuesday represent 4 per-

cent of Oklahoma's 540 school districts.

If districts report a graduation rate of less than 68.8 percent in two consecutive years, they make the list. That was the case in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. At the end of the 2004-05 school year, graduation rates for the two districts were 67.5 and 64.5 percent, respectively.

Graduation rates for the 200304 school year were less than 68.8 percent, a state education spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Spokesmen from both districts said administrators are examining how to increase graduation rates.

Bartlesville to receive oil company transfers, families BARTLESVILLE (AP) Community leaders are working to ease the transition for 500 ConocoPhillips employees who will be transferred here next year.

Bartlesville Public Schools began online enrollment Tuesday to help students whose families are moving to the area and Chamber of Commerce officials have gone to company headquarters in Houston to provide employees with information about schools, housing, medical care and recreation.

School administrators, students and parents are offering tours and answering questions from families who travel to the area, while chamber president Jim Fram is planning two more trips to the Houston area to help with the effort.

"A lot of the employees have never been here before," Fram said. "They want to know about our schools, our shopping, the activities for their kids. They want to know, 'Is it a safe community?' and 'Is it a clean community?'"

ConocoPhillips announced in September that it would bring 300 jobs to Bartlesville by mid-2006, with an additional 200 to be added by the end of that year. The jobs, which will include employees located in ConocoPhillips offices companywide, are being transferred as part of a consolidation of the groups that deliver services to company operations worldwide.

December 1, 2005

OSU in land dispute for athletic village; landowners outraged STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Stillwater residents packed the city's library to voice their concerns and questions about a plan

by Oklahoma State University to acquire their property for a proposed athletic village.

Residents met Tuesday with Payne County Bar Association attorneys, local real estate appraisers and tax accountants about property acquisition, valuation and eminent domain.

The plan would require the acquisition of about 400 homes and businesses on 100 acres north of Boone Pickens Stadium.

Worth up to $40 million, the land could be bought by OSU using eminent domain powers if homeowners do not agree to sell their property.

Eminent domain is the right of government to take land for a public use.

Most of the estimated 500 attendees were near or past retirement age.

"I think the city should have the courage to back what the people want," said Morton Skorodin, a retired Stillwater doctor. "If you all decide it's not a done deal, it's not a done deal."

Skorodin said forcing retirees to move can weaken their health.

OSU spokesman Gary Shutt said Tuesday that Boone Pickens has donated more than $30 million to buy the land for

the project. The university is still seeking donations to pay for building the village.

The plan was supposed to be presented to university regents, in December.

However, last week, it was announced the plan would be presented in January because of: questions by landowners.

Up to 90 percent of the targeted homes are rental properties.

Athletic director Mike Holder. has said the village will assist' in recruiting and would help the: university, city and state.

A new baseball stadium,. practice facilities for several, sports, a tennis facility and a new soccer and track stadium are proposed for the village.

Residents heard comments by OSU President David Schmidly, who was interrupted by laughs and questions about a dozen , times. Schmidly said he never told land owners the university would take away their homes using eminent domain.

But university officials have: said it could come to that.

Marvin Ehlers, 81, has lived with his wife Ramona, 75, in one of the targeted homes for 54 years. He said he was surprised and disappointed by the plan.

"I fought for this country and our property is all paid for," the World War II Navy veteran said..

"I don't know if you can fight them or not. I just want to be ' left alone." '

Oklahoma forecast: dry (AP) - Still no rain forecast for Oklahoma as dry conditions continue statewide.

The National Weather Service said Thursday is to become mostly sunny and cool with highs varying from the mid 40s in the Panhandle to the lower 60s in far southeastern

Oklahoma.

Partly cloudy skies return on Friday and Saturday with highs Friday in the 50s and 60s while temperatures on Saturday are expected to vary from the upper 40s across northern sections to , the mid 70s in the southeast.

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NEWS

December 1, 2005

Music groups to give holiday performance

by Courtney Bryce Vista Staff Writer

Wind ensembles to present variety of holiday pieces

Hanan said. "It's making music with new people."

Hanan said he will conduct two pieces for the Symphonic Band, "Celestial Celebration" The UCO Wind and "Variations on Green Symphony and Symphonic Sleeves."

Band will start the seaHanan said "Celestial son with "Holidays and Celebration" is based on Epiphanies" at 8 p.m. Dec. an old hymn.

1 in Mitchell Hall Theater.

"It kind of has that David Hanan, director Christmas and holiday of the Symphonic Band, feel," Hanan said. said he will conduct one He said most of the piece, "Epiphanies" by pieces lean more towards Ron Nelson, for the Wind celebrating holidays than Symphony. primarily Christmas for "It's a lot of fun because religious reasons. you get to be the new face," Reeves said the only

by Vista photographer Naomi Takebuchi Hanan said. "It's really official Christmas piece fun to go in front of an is "Russian Christmas Pamela Green, right, conducts the chOir group 'Cantelina Women's Chorale' during the Choir Concert ensemble you're not used Music." practice at the Music Building Nov. 30. to working with."

Reeves said he enjoys Hanan said although playing with the Wind of Christmas." aspects of the School of Music to the practice room," Diehl "Epiphanies" is not an Symphony because he gets "We do it every year in the to collaborate in a joint effort." said. "If you haven't learned the official Christmas piece, to work with outstanding lobby. It opens the concert," Thompson said the only music or they haven't, you just Nelson suggested that it faculty and a solid group of Diehl said. "It echoes through obstacle she's had to overcome have to work together. There is be played at a holiday con- players. He said students the halls, but you can't see us." so far is coordinating the event. no star in choir."

Thompson said many of the "Sometimes in our efforts to Thompson said students cert. should take advantage of pieces this year are traditional make sure everything is planned, could really benefit by attend"Nelson wrote, 'It is the concert to come out Christmas songs played in non- teachers get overwhelmed and ing this concert, which is held intended to be played at a and see the group perform. traditional way. when you set a deadline it may the week before finals. secular rather than a reli"It's the most competi"Concert Chorale is doing a not happen at the planned time," "It's a way to relax. I know gious occasion," Hanan tive intercollegiate group piece by James McKelvy that she said. that week is "dead week" in this part of the state," puts "Jingle Bells" in a non-traThompson said the students and students are studying," Anthony Reeves, music Reeves said. ditional rhythm," she said. have been on task-in class.- - Thompson said. "It will enereducation senior and Wind Tickets are $4 for UCO "I don't know if they're gize them and bring back memThompson said a candlelight processional will also take place more excited that the semester ories. This tradition at UCO is a Symphony member, said students and $6 for nonhe enjoys the opportunity UCO students. during the concert. She said is ending or about the concert, wonderful opportunity." of having a different directhis tradition was brought to but they're being attentive," she tor conduct a piece.

UCO by Music Professor Dr. said.

Diehl, who is a member of Lon Dehnert.

"It's different having a "All of it's been exciting to the Concert Chorale, said it different conductor up on collaborate with the trumpets takes a lot of patience when so the podium," Reeves said. and trombones," Thompson many groups come together. Courtney Bryce can be reached at "He's a really fun guy."

Courtney Bryce can be reached at "A lot of it is just learning b said. think it will be realc ryce@thevistaonline.cdtp:' , ' "It's new challenges," cbryce@thevistaonline.com.

by Courtney Bryce Vista Staff Writer

Students and faculty can have "Christmas with the UCO Choral Division" at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 in Mitchell Hall Theater.

Sandra Thompson, interim director of choral studies, said the concert features the Concert Chorale and the Chamber Singers, directed by her, the Cantelina Women's Chorale, the Trumpet Choir, the Horn Choir and two members of the Percussion Consort.

Thompson said she asked the instrumentalists to join the choirs because the music being performed calls for it.

"We're doing a work by John Rutter and it calls for brass accompaniment and percussion," she said. "I needed four trumpets, four trombones and percussion."

Thompson said one work all the choirs will be performing together is "Gloria." She said the piece sounds more exciting with the instruments.

"You're going to get a brillant sound," she said. "The brass accompaniment brightens things up."

Thompson said the piece would be played in three different parts throughout the concert.

She said each choir will sing one or two pieces of their own after the first and second parts of "Gloria," ending the concert with the final piece.

Jenny Diehl, liberal arts senior with a minor in vocal performance, said the concert would start with "Sing We Now

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• Grades, registration, and UCONNECT email will be available until Dec. 23 at 8:00 A.M. and then again beginning Jan. 3.

• Lotus Notes, WebCT and the UCO web site will remain available through this merge.

Visit www.ucok.edu for additional information

NEWS

7

December 1, 2005

Administrator brings big heart, vast experience to post

by Courtney Bryce

Vista Staff Writer

It's hard to imagine Dr. Patricia Lagrow scouring the halls of the VA Medical Center, assisting patients in the Intensive Care Unit. But she did.

The new associate vice president of Academic Affairs at UCO masks her compassionate heart under her freshly pressed crimson dress suit and three-inch heels. Lagrow was promoted from assistant vice president in July 2005.

She credits her current position to her nursing experiences, which really began when she was a little girl.

"My mom pushed me a little," Lagrow said. "She bought me a little nurse's kit when I was younger."

Lagrow said one other high school teachers also pushed her towards

nursing because of her high marks and interest in science courses.

"It (the job) is a learning curve," Lagrow said. "I see myself as a problem solver dealing with personnel."

Lagrow said some of the problems involve students.

"Some of the decisions we make affect students and we have to look carefully," Lagrow said. "It's a privilege to work with people and make an impact."

Lagrow said her proudest moment was reaching the privilege of an administrative position with only nursing degrees. However, she said if she had. to do school all over again she wouldn't do it any other way.

"I have had individuals tell me they were proud a nurse advanced to an administrative role," Lagrow said.

She said when she enrolled at then Central State University (UCO)

in 1972 people urged her to sign up ease. for the nursing program.

"It is very heart wrenching when At first, Lagrow resisted. you have a patient that can't catch "When I enrolled, I was an their breath," Lagrow said. "It's difaccounting major," Lagrow said. ficult when people look at you and "But I couldn't sit behind a desk." ask for help when there's nothing Lagrow said she soon gave in to you can do." everyone's advice. But it wasn't Lagrow soon reduced her hours to easy. The nursing program chal- part time so she could earn a master's lenged her because she was the first degree at the University of Oklahoma member in her family to attend col- College of Nursing. Not long after lege. she earned her master's in 1976, "It puts individuals at a disadvanLagrow returned to UCO to teach in tage because the parents don't know the Department of Nursing. the ropes," Lagrow said.

"The thing that interested me in However, the petite woman ICU is medical students and interns overcame the challenge and gradu- 2 would come in," Lagrow said. "I ated from UCO with a bachelor's • guess I kind of got the bug in my degree in nursing and went to work system for teaching, but I liked being in the coronary and intensive care a nurse." units at the VA Medical Center in So she continued to work on the Oklahoma City. weekends at VA Medical Center. Her Lagrow said many of her .heart still belonged to her patients. patients suffered from lung disLagrow was a faculty member

Dr. Patricia Lagrow (Photo Services)

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Like That?"

Bling your ring with the for your phone.

for 13 years before she attended the Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas to earn her doctorate in nursing.

She was hired back on the UCO faculty as chair of the Nursing Department. Not long after, she was promoted to the administration as an assistant vice president for Academic Affairs. At the time, only two other women in the state had advanced that far with only nursing degrees.

Lagrow said the thing she enjoys most about her current job is the people she works with.

"It's working with the people I work with, the deans, the chairs, and seeing their dedication to give students the best programs," Lagrow said. "It's fun watching them create new programs."

Lagrow said if she had to do anything else she would go back to nursing.

"I would do nursing over again," Lagrow said. "It's a rewarding career to feel like you're making a difference. Add teaching and you get the best of both worlds."

Courtney Bryce can be reached at cbtyce©thevistaonline.corn.

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December 1, 2005

'Ice Harvest' the hardboiled antithesis of holiday cheer

by Nathan Winfrey Vista Staff Writer

John Cusack returns from two years of relative obscurity to star as Charlie Arglist in "The Ice Harvest," a dark, twisty neo-noir from director Harold Ramis ("Analyze This," "Groundhog Day").

Based on a novel by Scott Phillips, "The Ice Harvest" follows Charlie, a lawyer who defends lowlifes of every kind, especially those with mob ties. When he steals over $2 million from local gangster Bill Guerrard (Randy Quaid, "Christmas Vacation") with the help of partner-in-crime Vic Cavanaugh (Billy Bob

Thornton, "Bad Santa") on Christmas Eve, the long night ahead is filled with doublecrosses, triple-crosses, a hit man locked in a suitcase and out-of-control sliding on icy streets.

Joining the sullen, conflicted Charlie in the shadowy, sleazy corners of Wichita, Kan. are his good friend Pete (Oliver Platt, "Bulworth"), strip club owner Renata (Connie Nielsen, "Gladiator") and relentless mafia bulldog Roy Gelles (Mike Starr, who played the mobster that Jim Caney and Jeff Daniels accidentally whacked in "Dumb & Dumber").

With blacker-than-black comedy and hardboiled lines suitable for the baddest of

Santa" are Thornton, crime, Christmas and cold weather.

The dialogue, situations, lighting and cinematography are reminiscent of mid20th century film noir and Christmas tunes and imagery are used carefully to convey anything but tidings of joy, making "The Ice Harvest" truly a revitalization of the dying style.

Grunting, shadowy Gelles is like any mafia goon that ever sullied the screen and femme fatale/damsel in distress Renata is just like any dame who ever walked into a smoky office to ask the hero for help, right down to her hair style and cigarette voice.

This probably won't

"Sin City's" rogues gallery, "The Ice Harvest" offers an entertain* foray into the seedy undrworld of the holidays in the; Bible Belt that will satisfy noir buffs and people with a sick sense of humor, but mightave others scratching their .eads. Portrayed in the previews as a slapstick comedy and touted as this year's subversive anti-holiday feature akin to 2003's "Black Santa," it would be easy to enter the theater with false expectations. ,44, While "The. Ice Harvest" is certainly funnyspecially the scenes with perpetually-drunk Pete, this isn't like the other movies in director Ramis' catalogue and the only similarities between this film and "Bad

become a holiday classic, even to each other to disenchant on a cult level, but screenwrit- even Clark Griswold's holiday ers Richard Russo and Robert cheer, "The Ice Harvest" is not Benson take Phillips' story and a crime caper for the kids, but translate it well to the screen. it is holiday disestablishment The quirky characters find life cinema at its best.

I f you're sick of Tim Allen's here with a perfect cast and flawless delivery. Though it yuletide hijinks, or wish the doesn't take a rocket scientist Grinch really would steal to follow the winding plot, the Christmas, this is the movie writers keep enough surprises for you. There is no holiday coming our way to keep us spirit here, no stringing pop , interested, and the comedic corn by the fireplace, no clay timing of Cusack, Thornton animation reindeer or talking, and Platt are what carry this snowmen, just shotguns, fmovie beyond the realm of words and booze. straight-to-video shoot 'em ups and lowbrow violent dreck.

With enough bad language, strippers and desperate, wick- Nathan Winfrey can be reached at ed people doing mean things nwinfrey@theyistaonline.com .

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December 1, 2005

9

Flat, static sets, lame music might get 'Rent' evicted

By DAVID GERMAIN AP Movie Writer Leaving the world of"Harry Potter" for Manhattan's lowrent district, director Chris Columbus has come up with something well shy of magical.

As he showed with the first two "Potter" movies, Columbus has a knack for making big movies that are far less interesting than their source material. With "Rent," Columbus delivers an elaborately constructed yet unimaginative rendering of the Broadway musical smash about lovers and friends coping with poverty, AIDS and addiction.

While the movie takes some Of the action to the streets and balconies, alleys and sidewalks, it still feels cloistered, with no strong sense that the story truly has moved off the stage into the real world.

Columbus has the grandest city in the world to shoot in, but far too much of the action is in static locations.

The musical numbers suffer for their stagy presentation in this loft apartment or that Squatter's flat.

When Columbus does move things outdoors, the settings often look surreally cheap, like backlot copies of New York streets, even though cast and crew did a fair amount of shooting at actual exteriors throughout the city.

• The music and lyrics of "Rent" creator Jonathan Larson, who died as the show was going into previews in 1996, are performed with gusto by the cast, most of

them veterans of the original Broadway production.

Yet the hard-rock arrangements Columbus chose to back the songs are thin, boring, mechanical instrumentations whose cheesy rhythms are an insult to the passion of the vocals.

A modern update of Puccini's opera "La Boheme," "Rent" centers on a group of bohemian pals and lovers determined to live for art and individuality in a 1980s world of commerce that views their End as expendable.

Artist Central, where the gang spends much of its time, is the loft of singer-songwriter Roger (Adam Pascal) and filmmaker Mark (Anthony Rapp), who's perpetually shooting a documentary about "La Vie Boheme," their maverick lifestyle.

Ex junkie Roger, who lost a girlfriend to AIDS and has the infection himself, is gradually drawn into new romance with downstairs neighbor Mimi (Rosario Dawson), an exotic dancer addicted to heroin who's also HIV-positive.

Mark pines over former girlfriend Maureen (Idina Menzel), a performance artist who has taken a lesbian lover, attorney Joanne (Tracie Thorns). Love also blossoms for their buddy Tom Collins (Jesse L. Martin), a philosophy teacher who falls for the saintly, HIV-positive, transsexual street drummer Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia, a Tony Award winner for the role on Broadway and the show-stopper among the performers in the film).

And what are artists without a common enemy? Taye Diggs plays Benny, a former

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In this photo provided by Columbia Pictures, Anthony Rapp (c) and Idina Menzel star in the rock opera " Rent." (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures)

Bohemian who wed the landlord's daughter and has gone back on a pledge to let his old artist chums live rent-free, now threatening to evict them.

The weakest of Larson's songs generally are bunched

in the film's first half, and the story and characters likewise take time to warm up to. A sense of real empathy and camaraderie fmally begins to emerge about halfway through with the big group theme song

"La Vie Boheme," a rollicking number that nevertheless comes off as vaguely disappointing because of its austere staging.

The real musical highlights are Heredia's livel dance-

and-drum bit "Today 4 U" and Menzel and Thorns' love-hate duet "Take Me or Leave Me." At times, some of the other numbers have the montage look and feel of music videos, while a performance-art protest piece Menzel's Maureen delivers is just irritating.

The bass-heavy accompaniment has the annoying precision of a metronome, the music often loud enough to undermine the voices, especially in scenes of soaring group vocals, where the performers are so earnest you end up wishing for a cappellas.

Columbus, whose career was built on commercial pap such as "Home Alone" and "Mrs. Doubtfire," does not shy away from the story's dark corners, nor does he fully embrace them. A stirring memorial service captures the pain of losing someone to AIDS, yet elsewhere, the ravages of the disease and the agony of narcotics withdrawal are glossed over in Columbus' typical lightweight fashion.

During New Year's revels late in the film, Joanne uncorks a bottle of champagne, looking braced for an eruption of bubbly, only to find it burble out in a feeble fizz. That sums up the movie version of "Rent": High hopes, flat results.

"Rent," released by Sony's Columbia Pictures, is rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving drugs and sexuality, and for some strong language. Running time: 135 minutes. Two stars out of four.

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LIKE CARS? FASTLANES is now hiring tube techs. We fully train on all vehicle maintenance! We are a growing metro company with advancement and benefit opportunities. Come by 2220 S Broadway to apply. Limited positions available. YOU MAY ALSO CALL 405-844-8084, NEED A JOB? Like to work in a cool atmosphere? Then swing by FASTLANES, the vehicle supercenter! We are a growing metro company with advancement and benefit opportunities. Come by 2220 S Broadway to apply. YOU MAY ALSO CALL 405-844-8084.

ATTENTION: Business and Management majors. FASTLANES, the vehicle supercenter is looking for individuals who have leadership skills. With new stores opening we are looking for people to grow with us. Good pay and possible health benefits. Come by 2220 S Broadway to apply. YOU MAY ALSO CALL 405-844-8084.

PARTTIME help needed at local daycare 2:306:00pm. Must love kids. Please call 330-3077.

NEED A JOB??

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MARKET RESEARCH and Development, 10-15 hrs/wk with established service-oriented company, available hours Mon-Fri. Must have own transportation. Hourly base pay plus mileage and extras. Excellent opportunity for entrepeneur-spirited person.

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QUALITY individual needed to train for residential window cleaning. Must have resume, proof of enrollment, documented GPA of 3. or above. your own transportation, preferably a truck for hauling ladder. Potential earnings of $8-10/hr based on percentage plus mileage. Please call immediately: 340-3914.

SHOGUN Steak House is taking applications for servers, bussers, dishwashers and hosts. Apply at 11900 N May Ave (S end of North Park Mall) after 5:30pm Sun thru Sat. NOW HIRING- We offer flexible scheduling, immediate ' advancement opportunities, retention bonus and a fun, secure work environment. Call Visionquest Marketing at 359-7713.

WANTED: Looking for 6-8 PT employees to help with marketing. Flexible hours, willing to work around class schedule. Base pay with monthly bonuses. Business background preferably, but open to anyone. Please call Jimmy at 405-607,8244 or 405-202-0643.

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HONEYBAKED HAM Co needs help during the holidays. Flexible schedules. Production, retail and phone positions available. $7.25/hr.

Three stores: 13905 N May 755-4267, 6900 N /vfy 843-1894, 1-240 & Penn 685-3081.

HELP WANTED, Handy Student. Carpenter's helper and maintenance. Close proximity to UCO campus. M-F, 1-5pm, some Saturdays. Experience preferred. Positive attitude and willingness to work A MUST. Must be self-motivated, trustworthy, able to work unsupervised.

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GREAT SALES OPPORTUNITY Work 4 hrs/day (4:30-8:30pm) for one of the best companies in Oklahoma. The average salesperson will easily make $1250/ wk selling door-too-door. Call 286 - 1070.

NEED CASH?? Responsible student needed, .w/car, to taxi 3 children to lessons in OKC/Edmond area. Odd hours that change monthly, 7:30,13:30am and 3:30-7pm, usually 4 hours daily with occasional weekends. $10/hr, call 341-6009. ,•ROPICAL CAFE in Edmond is now hiring ,for lunch hour shift. Please apply at 304 S Kelly.

PART TIME position available working with teenage boy with autism, in his structured home program. Complete training provided and paid. Call 330-8135. EXPERIENCE A +.

PART TIME sales help needed at Good Earth Health Foods. Please apply at 1415 S Boulevard., Edmond.

PART TIME babysitter needed for 23-mo-old.

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STEAK n SHAKE is now hiring servers for all shifts, flexible hours. Apply at 1225 E 2nd St in Edmond or call 330-1833.

INTEGRIS Health Children's Place: INTEGRIS Health is seeking Teachers and Site Directors for our before and after school Fun-N-Fit Program. The hours for this position will be 7-8am and 2:30-6pm. The qualified candidate will have completed• some coursework in child development and 6 months experience in group school age care to work as a teacher and two years school age care for a Site Director. The teacher will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of daily programs for school age children. Applicants must be 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, must be able to understand and speak English proficiently. Great way to gain experience working with children!!! Line up your job for the holidays and next semester now!! Qualified applicants please contact Mary or Crista at 949-6888.

PT NURSERY help needed. Fax resume to 775-9992 or call 775-9991.

BABYSITTER needed before and after school caring for 2 boys, ages 11 and 8. Be at our home at 7:20am and take boys to school at 8.

Pick them up from school at 3:30pm. I arrive home at 5:30. $75/wk. I would prefer one person for mornings and afternoons 5 days/wk, but would consider splitting the times/days if necessary. Starts after Christmas Break. Contact Karen Jones at 348-8454 if interested.

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December 1, 2005

1 1

NFL hits and misses: Just for kicks One Guy's Opinion

by Matt Cauthron Vista Sports Editor

Where have all the kickers gone?

There's something that bothers me about the NFL. There are 32 teams in the league. You would think all 32 -- I mean every single last one -should be able to find a decent field goal kicker, right? Yet still, a slew of good teams lost last weekend because mediocre kickers couldn't handle their one and only job. Bothersome indeed.

Seriously, it shouldn't be so hard. For one thing, soccer is the most popular sport in the world. The majority of successful NFL kickers have kicked "soccer style." Are you telling me these teams couldn't scout the soccer fields of foreign countries for a golden-footed ringer, and fmd someone who could at least reach the uprights from farther out than 40 yards? Of course they could. Every team could have a top-flight kicker. I'm absolutely certain there are 32 out there. These teams are either too stupid to realize how important a kicker is (doubtful), or they just aren't looking hard enough for talent (likely).

But don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the NFL is overflowing with horrible kickers. There are still those reliable old booters like Adam Vinatieri, David Akers and Mike Vanderjagt. Arizona's Neil Rackers has been on quite a roll this season. But for every kicker you wouldn't mind trotting out in a big situation, there's another so shaky you'd just as soon go for it on fourth-and-five.

Overtime format?

Works for me Many people are bothered by the NFL's overtime system. Since four games last weekend were decided in overtime, the debate was bound to pop its head out.

overtime format, if your team is on top of its game in all three phases, the coin toss shouldn't matter.

Again, take the Thanksgiving game for example. After the Broncos won the toss, the Cowboys could only muster a short kickoff, which Darrent Williams fielded at the five-yard line and returned 27 yards to the 32-yard line. If (a) Cundiff could kick the ball deep, or (b) the kickoff team could provide decent coverage, the Broncos would have started at the 20 and had to move the ball at least 40 yards to reach Jason Elam's field goal range. (And it would be even farther except that Elam holds the all-time record long field goal at 63 yards, so he gets the benefit of the doubt.)

But the poor kick coverage proved a moot point when thirdstring tailback Ron Dayne busted through the Dallas defense on the second play of the series and rumbled 55 yards to the Cowboy six-yard line. Yes, that's Heisman • 1'.

AP Trophy winner Ron Dayne of Wisconsin, who ran roughshod over Dallas Cowboys placekicker Billy Cundiff shrugs his the Big 10 but couldn't cut it as Tiki shoulders after missing a 34-yard field goal in the fourth Barber's backup in New York. The quarter against Denver on Thanksgiving Day. The kick Broncos immediately lined up to would have put the Cowboys up by three late in the game. kick and Elam sent the game-winner sailing.

The Cowboys eventually lost in overtime.

It wasn't a faulty overtime system that forged the Cowboys' Thanksgiving fate, it was their own The detractors say the NFL system is unfair because it's a "sudden death" format -- the first inability to corral the immortal Ron Dayne. team to score wins -- and a coin toss decides Then again, if Cundiff hadn't sent a 34-yarder which team gets the ball first. So a team could wide left near the end of regulation, Dayne battle for four quarters and lose in overtime would never have gotten the chance to make the 'Boys defense look so silly. without ever running an offensive play.

Once again, a hapless kicker decided a huge Many prefer the college football overtime system, in which each team gets a try from late-season game in the NFL. Here's hoping the the 25-yard line. But I don't like the college Cowboys don't fire him just so they can hire system. I'm one of the few who thinks the NFL some flunkie retread in his place. This time, travel across the ocean. Look high and low, has it right.

Sure, the Cowboys lost in overtime to the near and far. Please. Let's find some decent Broncos on Thanksgiving without ever run- kickers! ning an offensive play in the extra period. But that was the Cowboys' fault, not the overtime format.

There are three phases in football, all of Matt Cauthron can be reached at which must be mastered if a team is to be great: mcauthron@thevistaonline.com . offense, defense, and special teams. In the NFL

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YOUR CAMPUS BOOKSTORE -NIGH UNIVERSITY CENTER Your campus bookstore pays more for used textbooks no matter where you bought them.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

SPORTS BRIEFS Coatney picked for Hall of Fame UCO women's golf coach Patty Coatney was announced as an inductee into the 2006 class of the Women's Oklahoma Golf Association Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony will be held next spring.

Coatney won her first of a record nine Oklahoma amateur titles as a sophomore at Ponca City High School. She won her most recent amateur championship in 2001.

Coatney played golf at Oklahoma State for four years, after which she joined the LPGA for a short time, qualifying for the US Open in 1983. She eventually left the pro tour and regained her amateur status.

Coatney has coached the UCO women's golf team since its inception in the 2003-04 season. She has led the Bronchos to two straight Lone Star Conference championships and has been named LSC coach of the year for two consecutive years.

Broncho

Sports This week Wednesday, Nov. 30 Wrestling - vs. Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 1 Women's Basketball - vs.

Texas Woman's, 6 p.m.

Wrestling - at Chadron State, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3 Women's Basketball - vs.

Texas A&M Kingsville, Noon.

Men's Basketball - vs.

Texas A&M Kingsville, 2 p.m.

Wrestling - at Fort Hays State Open, 9 a.m.

THEVISa

SPORTS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2005

Bronchos to wrestle Sooners in home debut

by Harry Gatewood III Vista Senior Sports Writer The UCO wrestling team will host the No. 2-ranked team in Division I wrestling, the University of Oklahoma, Nov. 30 at Hamilton Fieldhouse. The Bronchos will then load onto a bus and travel to Chadron, Neb. where they will face Division II rival Chadron State College the following day.

"It's going to be a long road trip for us," Head Coach David James said. "Right after we finish our dual against OU we will be on the road driving all night to Nebraska to wrestle at seven

that night."

T h e Oklahoma Sooners returned four All-Americans from last year's team, including Edmond North graduate Teyon Ware. Ware won the national championship last year in the 141-pound weight class.

UCO redshirt freshman Kyle Evans is sched-

better ourselves." uled to wrestle Ware.

UCO finishes up its earlyUCO Ranks No. 6 in the NCAA Division season tournament schedule II standings and have with Saturday's Fort Hays State a 12-0 series lead over Open. The Bronchos will have the Chadron Eagles. approximately 25 individuals in Last year, the Bronchos the tournament, which has no defeated Chadron 41-0. team scoring.

Coach James is in his 24th The Eagles have nine starters from last year's year at the UCO, and has a team that finished 0-10 264-92-4 dual record. James has directed the Bronchos to 11 in duals.

UCO's Kyle Evans "This is a big week national championships in addiwill face OU's defend- for us," James said. tion to five runner-up finishes. ing national cham"Hopefully, we can pion, Teyon Ware, just hold together. It's tonight at Hamilton a great opportunity for Harry Gatewood III can be reached us to compete, it's a real at hgatewood@thevistaonline.com.

Fieldhouse. battle. We just want to

Tonight Wednesday, Nov. 30 What: The UCO wrestling team debuts at home against Div. I opponent OU. Where: Hamilton Fieldhouse.

When: 7 p.m.

Broncho football player Fred Shaw signs with agent

by Tanischa Williams

Student Contributing Writer

Football season may be over but one of UCO's top athletes, Fred Shaw, is preparing for the Division H All-Star game, the Cactus Bowl, Jan. 6 in Kingsville, Texas.

But Shaw, a 21-yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;old senior football player, has a little secret. Not only is he training for his last college football game, he signed a con-

tract Nov. 21 with sports agent Bo McMillian from Shawnee, Oklahoma. Shaw hopes that McMillian will help him pursue his dream of landing a position in the 2006 NFL draft.

Shaw transferred to UCO from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, in fall of 2004. He finished his football career with the Bronchos, setting a school record for the longest reception in the 2005 season against Tarleton State University. Shaw began playing the 2005 season at the free

safety position for UCO. But head football coach Chuck Langston changed his position midseason to wide receiver.

"I enjoyed (the switch) a lot," Shaw said. "And I felt that it was better for the team."

Although Shaw enjoyed the switch, he said he was comfortable at both positions, but said he personally felt he played better as a receiver.

Shaw's brother Seymore, a senior transfer from Oklahoma State University, walked on to UCO's football team in the

summer of 2005.

"It was amazing," Fred said.

"It was like high school. We got together and were able to wreck shop like we used to."

While playing with his brother was one of the highlights of his final season, Shaw has a different feeling about the final outcome of the season.

"It was terrible," Shaw said.

"We could have actually played four quarters instead of three."

Shaw said he really wishes he could start the season over again but reality has set in and

Broncho men wallop Washburn

by Harry Gatewood III Vista Senior Sports Writer The UCO men's basketball team toppled Washburn University 83-67 Nov. 29 in Topeka, Kan. as Kentrell Gaddis sported an 11-point second half run that clobbered the Ichabods' momentum and lifted the Bronchos.

The victory improves the Bronchos' overall record to 22.

Washburn led 22-14 midway through the first half as UCO committed eight turnovers in the first 10 minutes, but Morgan Williams nailed a pair of treys and Kennedy added a layup in an 8-0 run that made it 22-22.

Belt hit a long 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to tie it 34-all, with the Bronchos coming back from an eightpoint deficit to draw even by intermission.

A Belt 3-pointer at the 5:43 mark gave the Bronchos a 2724 lead, with the Ichabods responding with a 10-4 spurt to grab a 34-31 advantage.

But Belt tied it with his 24footer as the half expired.

Gaddis scored back-toback buckets on breakaway layups igniting a 17-5 run in the opening five minutes of

the second half.

Gaddis' early second-half blaze gave UCO a 59-41 lead and the Bronchos appeared in control, but UCO turnovers sent Washburn on an 11-2 run, coming within 61-52 with 6:57 left.

It was a 66-57 UCO lead with 4:00 remaining when Kennerly blocked a shot that led to another Gaddis fastbreak layup to make it 6757 and Belt hit 3-pointers at the 3:27 and 2:03 marks to help the Bronchos pull away again.

Joe Kennerly scored a game-high 21 points, hitting 8-of-9 shots, while Gaddis and Sam Belt added 17 points apiece.

UCO's Anthony Brown came into the game averaging over 19 points per outing, but was held to seven points after some early foul trouble.

The Bronchos have now won two straight and return to action Dec. 3 when they host Texas A&M Kingsville at 2 p.m. at Hamilton Fieldhouse.

Harry Gatewood III can be reached at hgatewood@thevistaonline.com.

AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Baron Davis made two breathtaking dunks in just more than a minute's span, showing everybody he is quickly regaining trust in his troublesome hamstring.

Davis had 17 points and nine assists in his first game against his former team, and the Golden State Warriors won their third straight with a 99-83 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night.

Davis, plagued by injuries the past three seasons, strained his left hamstring in Golden State's season opener Nov. 2 and has slowly been working to find his rhythm. He's close.

"This is probably right where I thought I would be with the hamstring," he said. "I'm averaging a career-low, but at the same time we're winning. I'm happy. It's fun."

Davis' latest performance will bring happiness to many others, too.

Davis, acquired in a deal at the trading deadline last Feb. 24, still has a home in New Orleans that was damaged in Hurricane Katrina and pledged

$500 toward the disaster relief effort for each point he scored in this game _ so, he will be writing a check for $8,500 to go with the $72,000 he already donated to the hurricane victims. The Warriors Foundation is matching the $8,500.

The two-time All-Star point guard didn't score his first points until 1:39 left in the opening period with a threepoint play after being fouled on a dunk.

He dunked again barely a minute later.

Davis also began selling his signature rubber orange bracelets for $5 with the message "CALL FOR HELP 2006 BD#5" with proceeds going to hurricane victims.

"Once I start knocking down my 3 ball, we'll be a force to reckon with, Davis said. "I've been very patient with my game. I know I'm helping our team win."

Derek Fisher scored 17 points off the bench for the Warriors, making three 3-pointers including back-to-back 3s during a 14-3 run late in the third quarter that gave Golden State a 15point cushion heading into the final period. Overall, he was 5-for-6 from long range.

Troy Murphy recorded his seventh double-double with 16 points and 10

UCO women's hoops team to make home debut after slow start

by Harry Gatewood III Vista Senior Sports Writer

Photo Services

UCO's Kentrell Gaddis drives to the hoop. Gaddis scored 17 points in the Bronchos' win over Washburn University.

Hornets buried by former point guard Davis

by Janie McCauley

he has realized all he can do is look forward and do what is necessary to accomplish the new tasks that are heading his way.

Shaw is now spending his free time preparing for the Cactus Bowl game. He will be accompanied by fellow team member Bernard Moore, a four year member of the UCO football team. The two will travel to Kingsville, Texas Dec. 31 and will be playing in the bowl game Jan. 6.

rebounds and Jason Richardson added 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists as Golden State won three in a row for the first time this season and improved to 10-6, the team's best 16-game start since the 1991-92 club began 11-5.

On this night, it was the Davis show.

"It's fun to watch when your point guard gets up and dunks," Richardson said. "That lets us know he's almost there with all the injuries and lets us know he's getting healthier."

Chris Paul had 15 points and five assists and David West added 14 points and 11 boards for New Orleans, which had won four of its previous five following a four-game skid and was trying for its first three-game winning streak since Feb. 11-18, 2004, against New York, Indiana and Washington.

"We had no energy," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "We played very passively. It was a passionless game. I hate losing. The effort was 50 percent instead of 100. This is a step backward."

Desmond Mason came off the bench to score 10 points and grab six rebounds for the Hornets, who are playing this season in Oklahoma City and have an uncertain future.

"We definitely just sat there," Mason

said.

New Orleans stayed close early but couldn't keep up in the third quarter, when Golden State began the period with a 14-6 spurt and the Hornets shot only 8-for-21.

"They came right at us and took advantage," West said. "We couldn't guard them. They shut us down on the offensive rebounds and we weren't scoring."

Both teams came out cold from the field, but Calbert Cheaney gave the Warriors a lift in the second quarter with three straight baskets. Davis picked up his third foul 2:50 before halftime, when the Warriors led 46-43.

Golden State's Mike Dunleavy headed to the locker room with 2:18 remaining in the second quarter after injuring his right side but returned for the second half and finished with 10 points and five rebounds.

Hornets forward Bostjan Nachbar sprained his right knee in the second quarter and didn't return. He had one point and two rebounds in 11 minutes and was listed as questionable for Wednesday's game at Denver.

The 0-4 UCO women's basketball will face Texas Women's University in their home debut Dec. 1 at Hamilton Fieldhouse.

The Bronchos are off to their worst start since the 1994-95 season.

UCO's early season schedule had three of their top four opponents posting 20 or more wins from last year.

The Texas Women's Pioneers are 3-0 on the season, and have four players averaging in double figures.

Pioneer Ashley Brown leads the way with 19.3 points per game, followed by Margaret Wimbish with 17.0 points per game.

The Pioneers have beaten their three opponents by an average of 19 points, but UCO leads the Pioneers with a 25-4 series lead.

Meghan Craig has remained a reliable scorer for the Bronchos.

Craig's 32-point performance against Missouri Western University Nov. 26 was the fifth best single-game performance in school history.

Craig averages 18.8 points per game and shoots 48.1 percent from the field (25-of-52) and 47.4 (9-19) percent from behind the arc.

Craig also leads the team in rebounds (6.0), steals (2.3) and blocks (1.0).

Craig is the only player in UCO history to have three 30point games.

Freshmen Lizzie Brenner and Mallory Markus are next on the scoring list. Brenner averages 9.3 points per game followed by Markus at 8.3.

UCO is shooting 39.9 percent from the field including a 28.8 percent from three- point range.

The Bronchos have a three game home stay and face Texas A&M Kingsville Dec. 3. followed by a matchup with Oklahoma Christian University Dec. 6.

TAMUK averages 65.5 points per game and are led

by Aasia Betts (12.7 ppg) and Nahogany Brown (11.7 ppg).

UCO has a 19-9 series lead over the Javelinas.

Harry Gatewood 111 can be reached at hgatewood@thevistaonline.com .