UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
LETTERS Students speak out 4
SPORT OF KINGS Student races horses 12
CAMPUS COMEDY Arsenic and Old Lace 7
IMAGES OF WAR Prof. tours Croatia 14
FAIR FOOD is it fit to eat? 10
SPORTS Bronchos win. 16-18
The Student Voice Since 1903
No senator, no money policy leaves many without funding By Mark A. Schneberger StaffWrikv
U
CO student group leaders who have little time for juggling studies and club activities, were asked to fit another activity in their schedules last week Many were forced to become student government senators as well, and to represent their clubs in a political function. All formal student organizations, from
the English Society to Nursing, were told this month that they had to elect senators to the newly formed student government senate by Sept. 16. If they didn't, they'd be unable to lobby for student active fees and lose funding from the school. The mandate came from the UCO Student Association (UCOSA) and was approved by UCO President Roger Webb. UCOSA President Derrek Belase said he was excited about the new policy. He encouraged all groups to join the
Lack of time, information cited as causes senate and sent letters to club presidents informing them of their new governmental responsibilities. Yet, by last Wednesday, only 93 of 147 senate seats had been filled by student club officers, Belase said. He said he had hoped more members would have joined, but was encouraged by the numbers. "As far as the 93 people (who joined),
I'm very excited. I would have liked to see 147, but I think it speaks tons about the way our students feel," Belase said. "Maybe student apathy is nearing an end." Student clubs who chose not to join the senate were less enthused, however. The American Society for Interior
V See SENATE, Page 4
Junior resident assistant extinguishes Saturday night fire in West Hall By Steven E. Wedel Editottnellid n illegal candle has been blamed for a fire in UCO's West Hall Saturday night. The blaze started in the third floor room where Shereen Francis lived. Sara Morrell, a resident of West Hall, said she smelled smoke at about 8:45 p.m. Soon after, the hall on the third floor was filling with smoke. Morrell called the dormitory office and reported what was happening before taking further action. "I kicked the glass in to get the fire extinguisher," Morrell said. "I tried to give it to Shereen, but she was just standing in the door screaming. I put it down and left." When the alarm sounded, Lamarie Rutelonis, one of West Hall's resident assistants, was in the recreation room. She ran to see what was happening. "No one was using the fire extinguisher," she said. "The door was cracked, so I kicked it in and started spraying the bed and closet." Rutelonis stayed until the smoke overcame her. "It got to where I couldn't breathe, so I left," she said. By that time, campus police and Edmond firefighters were on
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the scene. Farrell Rossen, assistant director of Facilities Management, said Rutelonis was responsible for extinguishing the fire. "The RA put (the fire) out," Rossen said. "It was out when the fire department arrived." Rutelonis was sent to Edmond Regional Hospital. She was treated for smoke inhalation and released. Morrell was treated for cuts sustained when she retrieved the fire extinguisher The fire was caused by a candle, according to Rossen. "The RA had come by, so I put the candle on the shelf in my closet," Francis said. "I forgot about it until about 30 minutes later." Francis said the blaze ruined half her clothes and shoes. She estimated the cost to be about $250. Rossen said damage to the room has been estimated at $600. He said Francis should be able to return to her room by mid-week. It is a violation of campus policy to burn candles. Rossen said any disciplinary actions would be left to Auxilary Services. Residents of West Hall were without air conditioning- for much of the day on Monday. Rossen said the unit was turned off in an effort to rid the building of smoke. <
Shereen Francis waits with Edmond firefighters to learn the extent of damage caused by a fire in her dorm room Saturday night. (Staff photo by Sara Morrell)
