The Collegian 28 Jan 2013 Issue

a student newspaper of the university of tulsa

january 28, 2013 issue 14 ~ volume 98

I-244 E. 3RD STREET Vehicle shot with pellet gun 11/14/12 Armed robbery 1/17/13

E. 4TH STREET

Car broken into 1/9/13

E. 4TH STREET

E. 4TH PLACE

Hit-and-run 11/22/12

Christmas wreath stolen 12/14/12 E. 4TH PLACE

Intoxicated man arrested 1/19/13

E. 5TH STREET

3 37 E. 5TH PLACE

Reckless driving 12/8/12 E. 6TH STREET

Domestic violence 11/30/12

Man with five warrants arrested 1/15/13

S. HARVARD

TUCKER DRIVE

E. 8TH STREET

S. DELAWARE

S. COLUMBIA

TUCKER DRIVE

Golf cart stolen 11/13/12

S. GARY PLACE

Attempted burglary 1/18/13 E. 8TH STREET

Intruder seeks “Cocaine” 1/20/13 S. GARY

S. FLORENCE

6

E. 11TH STREET = one reported crime*

This map shows crimes reported to or by campus security from Nov. 1, 2012 to Jan. 21, 2013 at their approximate geographical locations. It includes violent, property, alcohol and drug-related offenses. This map should not be taken to represent the actual distribution of crime on TU’s campus. Reports without a specified location are not included.

Robberies spark concerns over crime In the wake of recent campus crimes, statistics yield few reliable trends.

Beate Hall Staff Writer

O

n Jan. 18, the University of Tulsa released an e-mail stating that a student had been robbed at gunpoint by two men outside

the Norman Village apartments on the 17th. It also described a “similar incident off campus,” the same day, in which another TU student was robbed.

In response to concerns, university officials sent another email stating that the suspects were thought to have left the immediate area of campus. “Campus security is keenly aware of the situation and concerns of students and their

families,” said Kayla Acebo, vice president of Public Relations.

One student, who asked to remain anonymous, described an encounter with two men the night of the armed robbery, whose descriptions matched those in campus security’s e-mail. “No one else was around but they were totally fearless to talk to me about selling drugs,” he said. “After I said no, they just walked off.”

Although the student did not report the men who offered him drugs to security, he did say he felt the administration’s response to the robbery was appropriate. “I felt the response was appropriate, and that (security) did a good job.”

Since the introduction of the text messaging emergency alert system, students have been more in the loop about serious crimes committed nearby. The emergency

alert system is not used for petty crimes, such as theft or alcoholrelated crimes.

Campus crime statistics indicate that in addition to the armed robbery and a manhunt, an attempted burglary also occurred within the first two weeks of class.

However, there is no evidence that these incidents are part of any

See Crime page 4

Printing quota: carbon saver or learning limiter?

New printing policy has garnered praise from some, concern from others.

Anna Bennett Staff Writer

T

he average pine tree can yield just over 8,300 sheets of paper, according to the website conservatree.org. By these numbers, the

output of the University of Tulsa’s two printing labs last semester was equivalent to 200 trees.

Concern over the university’s carbon footprint and paper waste has been growing over the years, and pressure from many corners of campus has finally led to a new policy: from now on, students and faculty will face a printing cap of 1,000 pages per semester.

The university has assured students that additional printing will be offered in $10 increments at a rate of 10 cents per page, and has emphasized that most students will likely not be affected by this new policy.

Dale Schoenefeld, vice president of IT services, explains that all public labs are managed through a central enterprise print

server, which associates users with printing requests across all labs and printer locations.

“Using the print management software to associate a print request with a user is not new on campus; using the print management software to manage a quota is new and is one of the principal objectives of the software,” he said.

There are no exemptions from this per-person quota, although the deans or designated others of each college may choose whether or not to include special departmental printers (such as those art students pay lab fees for) to the aggregate.

Schoenefeld emphasizes that this policy is about environmental awareness and continued efforts to

See Print page 4

Kendall Whittier Rolls Out the Red Carpet This is a fundraising event to benefit the Kendall-Whittier Community. It will be at Circle Cinema on February 21st and volunteers are needed from 5pm to 9pm.

Soccer Coach Needed at San Miguel If you are knowledgeable in the game of soccer and would like to share your knowledge and skills with middle high students, San Miguel would like to have help out with their team.

Junior Achievement Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization partnering with volunteers from the community to teach elementary students about their roles as individuals, workers and consumers, and to prepare middle/high school students for key economic and workforce issues.

For more information on any of these opportunities, contact Kathy Shelton in the True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center at kathy-shelton@utulsa.edu, call 918-631-3535 or come by Holmes Student Center room 25.

Sports

28 January 2013

the Collegian : 2

49 problems but Ravens ain’t one Winged underdogs on the rise

Chris Fisher

Student Writer

Whether you call it the Harbaugh Bowl, the Harbowl, the Battle of the Brothers, or my personal favorite, “foorbaugh,” Super Bowl XLVII will be a game of historical headlines. But who will star in those headlines?

Football analysts predict winners by evaluating matchups in the three phases of football: offense, defense, and special teams.

Accordingly, I project that the San Francisco 49ers will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as the winners of Super Bowl XLVII. Offensively, the 49ers wield one of the most intimidating rushing games in the NFL. They averaged 155.7 rushing yards per game during the regular season—fourth in the league—and a whopping 236 yards per game in their two playoff games—62 yards more than the next closest team.

The 49ers’ beastly offensive line is anchored by Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley and Pro Bowl left guard Mike Iupati. Running behind the offensive line is hard-nosed Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore and rookie speedster LaMichael James.

However, since the noteworthy switch to Collin Kaepernick at quarterback, the 49ers have added a run-option dimension to their offense, which allows Kaepernick’s and James’ speed to torch opposing defenses.

The added run-option allows the 49ers to exploit an older, slower Ravens defense with top-level outside speed, as well as punish the Ravens with their smash-mouth inside runs.

Furthermore, the run-option amplifies the play action, which has revealed Kaepernick’s brilliant passing accuracy. Michael Crabtree has also proven himself a worthy No. 1 wide receiver, and future hall-of-famer Randy Moss still presents a serious threat in the red zone and adds depth and experience in the passing game.

Vernon Davis, arguably the most athletic tight end in football, reemerged in the NFC Championship with 106 yards receiving, and is always a coverage nightmare for slower linebackers and smaller defensive backs. The passing game should complement the 49ers’ rushing game effectively in creating a favorable matchup against an aging, injury-plagued Ravens defense.

That aside, the 49ers are not known as an offensive team. Their defense, featuring six Pro Bowlers, is one of the top three in the league, ranking in the top four in the league in both running and passing yards allowed, and second in points allowed.

Against the run, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Smith rarely lets opposing running backs get past the defensive line.

If Ravens running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce do not run into Smith, they’ll be sure to encounter Pro Bowlers Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman, arguably the two best inside linebackers in football.

Pro Bowl second-year linebacker and defensive end Aldon Smith, second in the league in sacks this year, will disrupt the Ravens’ passing game with his relentless

See 49ers page 3

Remembering baseball hero Stan the Man

Photo courtesy UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Legendary Cardinals batter Stanley Musial passed away at age 92 on Jan. 19. He had the most hits (3,630) in a career with one team, and was well-loved for his talent and his loyalty to the Cardinals.

Conference realignment impending TU is emerging from the frantic shuffling of university athletic programs between unstable conferences, and headed—for the moment—toward the Big East.

Jake Dodson Student Writer

In today’s wild world of sports, it is hard to find a story as long and confusing as the past decade’s conference realignments.

What conferences and teams are involved?

Where has the former Conference USA gone? When will conference changes actually take place? And for the TU sports fan, what conference awaits the Golden Hurricane sports teams?

At the center of this conference-shifting activity is the Big East, because most other conferences (Big Ten, ACC, PAC-12, SEC and Big 12) are finished realigning for the moment. Teams that have recently left the Big East include Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Villanova, Marquette, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and DePaul.

In response to these departures, the Big East absorbed much of Conference USA— East Carolina, Memphis, UCF, Houston, SMU and Tulane—and Mountain West Conference schools Boise State and San Diego State.

Boise State and San Diego State have since activated escape clauses in their Big East contracts allowing them to bail and

stay in the Mountain West conference. Because Boise State and San Diego State have chosen to remain in the MWC, there is talk of Tulsa being added to the Big East lineup.

The rumor is that Big East executives have formulated a TV contract proposal that includes Tulsa as a part of the league.

Unfortunately, rumors are all that fans have at this point. It could be reasonably deduced that the Big East is a likely destination for Tulsa, as staying in the C-USA does not seem to be in Tulsa’s best interest, and keeping in step with regional rivals such as Houston and SMU does.

Originally, it was thought that the MWC could be a destination for Tulsa, but when Boise State and San Diego State decided to remain there, that became far less likely.

Now the question for Tulsa fans remains—is the Big East conference a good destination for the Golden Hurricane?

“I don’t care where we end up,” said junior Daniel Weatherholt, “Just as long as we don’t stay in Conference USA.” Many Tulsa fans would echo such sentiments, as old conference rivals such as Houston, SMU and UCF have already joined the Big East. In many ways, the Big East is a better version of C-USA; Tulsa’s old C-USA rivals are already moving there, and it includes tantalizing BCS schools such as Connecticut, South Florida and Cincinnati.

The Big East also holds (at least for now) a desirable automatic qualifying bid to a BCS bowl in football.

Nick Lewellen

Student Writer

The days leading up to the Super Bowl are all about headlines and media hype. The NFL, ESPN and every other sports outlet will scramble to find any story that can be fabricated into a big dramatic headline before the game.

However, exaggerating the drama isn’t much of a concern this year. Between the retirement of controversial linebacker Ray Lewis, the criticism always surrounding Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco and the rise of San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick from bench-warmer to Super Bowl starter, there is plenty to talk about.

Oh, and the head coaches of both teams are related or something, in case you haven’t heard. The one thing these human-interest pieces don’t tell us about these teams is who will actually win the Super Bowl— I see the underdog Ravens pulling out the victory.

Let’s break this game down by the matchups on offense and defense. When it comes to the Ravens’ offense, everyone wants to talk about Joe Flacco. The guy may put up solid numbers each year, but, in a quarterback-driven league like the NFL, that didn’t prevent him from earning the nickname “Fluke-o” for the early part of his career.

Many commentators say he is just too mediocre to win a Super Bowl. To that I respond, “Trent Dilfer.” Dilfer was the last Ravens quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and was not near the talent that Flacco is.

Really, the Ravens offense comes down to Ray Rice, their workhorse running back, who has quietly rushed for over 240 yards and two touchdowns this postseason.

The key to the game on offense for the Ravens is getting Rice going early and controlling the ball for most of the game. Combine Rice’s elite ability with deep threat Torrey Smith and veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin, and even the talented 49ers defense will have their hands full.

Though the Raven’s offense is much improved and is much more exciting than in previous seasons, it all comes to defense for the Ravens, as it always has. The Ravens’ defense has, at minimum, two future hallof-famers on its roster.

Linebacker Ray Lewis has provided an emotional spark for his team throughout these playoffs. The key to stopping the 49ers’ offense will be all about stopping the run. That is, of course, easier said than done.

Make no mistake; this Super Bowl will be a defensive matchup. Both teams have excellent defenses, but I give the advantage to the Ravens.

The 49ers may have more talent than the Ravens, but they lack the experience of players like Terrell Suggs and Ed Reid.

Also, the leadership and enthusiasm Ray Lewis brings to the table is second to none, and you definitely get the feeling that his teammates want to win one last game for the man who has been their leader for over a decade and a half.

It’s always tough to pick an underdog and go against the collective knowledge of Vegas and ESPN, but sometimes everyone just gets it wrong. Remember when the undefeated Patriots were supposed to blow out the Giants?

Also, picking Super Bowl matchups is pretty difficult job. Factors like pre-game preparation and player focus are kept out of the public eye. Still, the Ravens have experience, leadership, talent and a quarterback who is playing at the highest level of his career.

Expect a low-scoring and defensivelyfocused game, but the Ravens will prevail in the end.

@theDrPayne: Running onto the TU football field because we were bored and the open gate was calling out names! #livininthemoment @savnicks @MeghanSpivak @ehollier: How important have the #TulsaMBB freshmen been?

7 frosh average 55.5% of TU points, 51% of rebounds, 63% of assists and 63% of steals. @Reign_Cane:@TUMBasketball is currently 6-0 all time vs. the Tulsa YMCA#ReignCane @ryanhorn45: Great win and finish by @TUWBasketball tonight.

Girls battled and played together all night. #GoTU @kauriblack: I hope today is an NBA practice @CodyGreen_7: I wonder if my teacher would get mad at me if I started throwing stuff at the people who sleep in class @TU_GHC:Great job done by TU Rowing! "@TulsaRowing TU Rowing has raised over $10k this year with our Row for Humanity.

Thanks for the help!" @kauriblack: I love watching Lifetime it's not just television for women..

Trimuph eludes men’s basketball

Will Bramlett / Collegian

The men’s basketball team barely missed victory over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, 62–59, on Saturday afternoon in a nail-biter with 31 turnovers. This was the second heartbreakingly close Hurricane loss of the week. The Hurricane is now 4–3 in conference and 12–9 overall for the season.

Sports

the Collegian : 3

28 January 2013

Hockey fans can’t resist the rink Sam Morton Student Writer

It looks like the Royce White saga is finally coming to a close. A power forward out of Iowa State, White was drafted 16th overall in the 2012 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.

Based upon talent alone, White would have been a top-five selection—he led the Cyclones in points, rebounds, assists and steals in 2012, but many teams avoided him because of a well-documented mental condition.

White has been diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder that manifests itself in a fear of flying, panic attacks and obsessivecompulsive disorder. Due to this condition and the complications that accompany it, White missed Rockets training camp and twice refused D-league assignments to the Rockets’ affiliate team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Despite a boycott pledge backed by many hockey fans aimed at shortening the most recent National Hockey League lockout, attendance at the first games after lockout’s end brought record-high numbers of fans to the rinks this week.

Will Bramlett Student Writer

The National Hockey League returned to the ice on Jan. 19 after owners locked out for 119 days because the league and players could not agree how to share revenue.

This was the third stoppage—one of which wiped out an entire season—since Gary Bettman left the NBA to become the NHL’s league commissioner in 1993.

Following the 2004-2005 lockout that which wiped out the entire season, fans were angry, and some teams in non-traditional hockey cities had trouble bringing them back. In the seasons following the second lockout, attendance has returned and TV ratings and revenue have dramatically increased.

Credit has often been given to Bettman for bringing hockey back to broadcast TV, leading the league into a better financial standing and increasing the sport’s popularity.

When the first games were canceled for the 2012-2013 season, fans were worried and upset that the entire season would be

missed once again. Only seven seasons had been played since the last lockout, and neither league nor players seemed to want to work with the other.

As is typical with hockey fans, worried and upset quickly transformed into angry.

The players received unhappy remarks for being well-paid yet fighting for money, but most of the criticism was directed at Bettman and the owners.

The attacks went so far that one fan tweeted “can I get a RT for wanting Bettman dead?� which was retweeted by Dave Bolland of the Chicago Blackhawks. Bolland quickly deleted the tweet, apologized and said “It was a mistake, I never meant to retweet that out.� Clearly, though, there was anger with Bettman and the league.

Other than death threats to Bettman, responses have included fans threatening to leave the league. A group of fans from Los Angeles created “Just Drop It,� a pledge backed by over 21,000 people on Facebook to boycott the same number of NHL games canceled since Dec. 21, in hopes of creating an organized and easier-to-follow “eye for an eye� retaliation than an indefinite boycott.

Both sides had finally come to an agreement on Jan. 6, and completed a deal on Jan. 12, followed by the immediate release of a 48-game schedule, reduced from the regular 82-game season. The “Just Drop It� pledge stated fans should miss ten games before returning to the NHL. The league and players

had to hope fans and sponsors would return.

A few sponsors have, and some, such as Molson Coors, are looking to be recompensed for missing nearly half of the season. Luckily for the NHL though, it seems that hockey fans have returned without demands. Granted, we are only through the first week of games after a long lockout, but high attendance records were set opening weekend in traditional hockey and nonhockey cities.

As of Jan. 26, 21 of the league’s 30 teams have sold out, and 12 of the 21, including non-traditional hockey cities such as Columbus, Ohio; Miami; Anaheim, Calif.; and Los Angeles have over-sold all home games played. Only Phoenix is below 90 percent attendance.

Excluding the Winter Classic, NBC’s opening-day coverage was the highest-rated hockey game ever on the network and highest since ABC carried the NHL in 2002. Local broadcast records were set on NBC in Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Chicago.

The Kings raised their Stanley Cup banner in the Staples Center to the highest rating since 2007. The first Blues vs. Predators game was the highest-rated Blues game on Fox Sports Midwest ever.

It is unlikely the league can keep attendance and ratings this high until the playoffs in May and June, but teams have been offering discounts on tickets, merchandise and concessions among other incentives to bring back fans and keep them.

Following the dismissal of Athletic Director Ross Parmley for gambling activity and the subsequent NCAA investigation of the Hurricane athletic program, TU students predicted the effect the scandal could have on Hurricane athletics:

Photo courtesy Yahoo! Sports

Royce White’s mental health troubles have been brought into the public spotlight as a result of his career with the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets, per their team policy, began fining White for each day that he missed, and eventually suspended him.

To his credit, White has been level-headed about everything. In just the last year he has become a major advocate for mental health, especially in the NBA. “If somebody has a broken leg, you give them crutches. And even though mental illness is different in the way it looks than a broken leg, it’s not really different in theory,� White said, “Conceptually, it’s the same thing.�

The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement allows for players to miss time because of physical injury. White argues that the same standards should apply for mental conditions. White has been more or less dead-

Photo courtesy Bleacher Report

The Houston Rockets have struggled to come to an agreement with Royce White about the manner in which they should deal with his meantal health condition.

locked with the Rockets until just recently on the conditions of his joining the team.

Negotiations have been mostly closeddoor, but major differences between the two parties have been a specialized travel plan and the involvement of a third-party doctor who would clear White to play based on his mental state.

Though a formal agreement has not been released, White is supposed to join the Rockets’ D-league squad on February 11th.

Though White wants very much to play basketball, and it looks like he will finally be able to, he is not afraid to leave it; in fact, he already did for about a year in 2010.

White clearly emphasizes mental health as a priority in his life. “What comes along with mental health if left untreated? Alcohol abuse, marijuana abuse, suicidal behavior, homicidal behavior,� he said, �those are things I’m not willing to risk to play basketball, to have money, to have fame.�

I think that White’s stance on mental health is a brave one. I hope that his situation helps enlighten people on the importance of mental health the same way that Junior Seau informed people about the need for concussion treatment.

John Lepine, Senior

“I hope the scandal does not affect TU athletics; I think it would be a shame if it did. Our athletes have worked really hard and I want them to succeed; I think we all do.�

Ben Howard, Senior

Yasmine Elbaitari, Freshman

Kathleen Burch, Senior

“If there’s going to be any “I think it’s going to take a discipline I don’t think it’ll while to transition.� be super severe. At worst I think a one year probation.�

“I think there might be a more intense process in hiring people.�

From 49ers page 2

pass rushing abilities. If Flacco can manage to get the ball off against the pass rush, however, he’ll still struggle to complete his signature deep passes against Pro Bowl safeties Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner (as long as Goldson and Whitner are not taking lessons from Broncos safety Rahim Moore).

Special teams is the only phase of the game where the 49ers are not heavily advantaged, mainly due to placekicker David Akers’s late-season struggles, missing eight field goals in the last eight regular season games, and missing a 38-yard field goal against the Falcons in the NFC Championship.

However, the Ravens are no special teams powerhouse either, as shown when they gave up two return touchdowns to the Denver Broncos’ Trindon Holliday in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The 49ers are offensively and defensively superior and are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, making it plain why Vegas favors San Francisco by 3.5 points. One other stat to keep in mind: The 49ers have played five Super Bowls in franchise history.

Their record? 5–0.

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1/22/13 11:35 AM

28 january 2013 From Crime on cover

trend of increased crime at TU. “Neither security officials nor administrators at TU have seen an increased threat to students,” the office of campus security said.

The university is required by federal law to report certain crimes so that students, parents and administrators are informed about the safety of the university and the area surrounding it. Specifically, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires universities that receive federal funding to publish crime information. The statistics about these crimes as well as daily campus security reports are available on the TU website.

Statistics reported online include crimes committed on university-owned property and immediately surrounding areas. This means that “on campus” crime includes crimes at North Campus and on Eighth Street. These reports do not include student names, but the information includes enough details to establish the nature of the crimes committed.

Most of the daily incidents that campus security responds to involve parking. According to daily crime reports, there has been at least one car towed each week for repeatedly parking in the wrong lot. In addition, eight cars were reported stolen in 2010. “Parking lot-related crime is down, however, thanks to increased patrols,” said the office of campus security.

After parking violations, most of the crime TU sees is either burglary, larceny, drug-related or alcohol-related. From 2009 through 2011, campus security reported no hate crimes, no homicides and no incidences of manslaughter. Two

sexual assaults and 202 liquor law violations were reported. None of liquor law violations resulted in arrests. Most of the drug and alcohol incidents involving students are dealt with using the TU administrative system and discipline process.

“Any time a potentially dangerous incident occurs on campus, we take it very seriously, “ said Kayla Acebo. “The safety and well-being of our campus family is our primary priority.”

Campus security, in order to keep unwanted visitors off TU property, monitoring video feeds to keep an eye on TU property.

For example, on Jan. 5, security reported that dispatchers monitoring the camera system saw three people on the dock behind the Hardesty Building. “They were homeless and not wanted and were banned from TU Property,” the report stated.

“The vast majority (of reported incidents) is student-on-student,” said campus security. “Robberies and vehicle-related crimes are the exceptions. Parking-lot-related crime is down, however, thanks to increased patrols.”

Despite the excitement of last week, TU’s campus has a much lower amount of crime than Tulsa in general. Counting all offenses disclosed under the Clery Act, TU’s rate of crime (measured in offenses per 1,000 people) is around 19.5. The city of Tulsa, neglecting arson, has a crime rate of 66. This number does not take into account the greater metropolitan area and counts only those crimes committed within Tulsa city limits.

For more information on crimes committed at TU, visit utulsa.edu/ offices-and-services/security/ and click on “Crime Reports and Statistics.”

NEWS

From Print on cover

increase efficiency at the university. He pointed to excessive and wasteful printing, saying “printers in labs have always been ‘convenience’ printers and not intended as enterprise copy machines.”

Schoenefeld hopes that the printing quota will not only prove effective at reducing waste but also allow for enhanced printing services in the future, like printing in color or from a mobile device.

While the policy is being sold as an unnoticeable change and a conservation effort, some students feel it is a misplaced priority on the TU’s part.

History Major Randall Young said that for one class his assigned readings from WebCT alone reached nearly a thousand pages.

He feels having to choose between printing text for close analysis and printing written assignments is not only an infringement on his ability to learn and succeed, but also an insult to how hard he has worked

to be here.

“In many liberal arts classes it’s not only helpful but required that printed off material needs to be brought to class,” he said. “Aside from the purely logistical and material aspect of this affront there’s the matter of principle ... the priorities of the university in opposition to those of faculty and students.”

Young expressed frustration over university spending on groundskeeping, new buildings and fireworks, arguing that this as bad allocation of student tuition.

Other students are supportive of the measure, seeing it as a well-intended step towards sustainability.

Celeste Williams, the social chair of Earth Matters, TU’s environmental club, believes the new quota is a “step in the right direction.”

She thinks the initiative will make students more aware of how much paper they use, and therefore more considerate of what they print.

However, Williams says that TU could be doing more—such as

Graphic by Caroline Kohlhagen

TU’s new printing quota has some students concerned about their ability to keep up with assigned printing.

the Collegian : 4

making double-sided printing possible in McFarlin and not penalizing students twice for printing on both sides. “We believe that double-sided printing can help eliminate the issues that arise within certain majors, specifically the ones (whose) classes often require copious amounts of printing.”

According to Williams, Earth Matters is pushing the idea of double-sided printing not just as a compromise, but as a means of encouraging students to save paper.

Michael Wright, a Professor of Creative Writing, runs his classroom on the basis or sharing and experiencing creative work— which sometimes means students bring multiple copies of full-length screenplays (90-120 pages per text) to be read and discussed in class. Although Wright feels confident that students will find a way around the printing restriction, he does not think that the quota really gets at the heart of the problem.

Wright believes there are better solutions, especially for a campus so innovative. “Perhaps if the university would like to buy everyone (in the writing class) an iPad, so we can share work in that form in the classroom, we could go even more green. I’ve heard that some universities are doing this; no reason TU should lag behind, especially with so much emphasis on technological advancement in the sciences and related areas.”

The impact of TU’s new printer quota has yet to be seen, whether it be the effect it has on students’ ability to fulfill class work, or the amount of waste it will effectively reduce. Whatever the outcome, many will be anxiously awaiting the university’s next move, and how it will reflect on TU’s priorities.

NOVA Fellowship encourages community collaboration Fellowship gives students a chance to interact with other disciplines, industry mentors and Tulsa community.

Oscar Ho Staff Writer

At a meeting on Wednesday, a professor and a handful of students sat down to share a sandwich platter and some serious talk. The day’s business, as stated on the agenda, began simply enough: “Eat!” But as the meeting progressed, the volume and complexity of ideas flowing around the room grew to super-scholar proportions.

Dr. Charles Wood, associate professor of marketing at the University of Tulsa, pulled some colleagues, students and community leaders together in early 2012 to launch the NOVA Fellowship, a community problem-solving initiative. NOVA was started as an experimental supplement to TU’s academic programs, and less than a year later, it is now starting to reveal exciting possibilities.

The drive for creativity was what brought the NOVA Fellowship to life, Wood said. His goal

was to combine multiple points of view to address a problem.

“Innovation works best when you have a variety of perspectives and backgrounds,” Wood said.

“My goal was to get an art major with a sociology major … to try to create something for a company or a nonprofit (organization).”

Wood believes the NOVA Fellowship could be a critical test for reform to the traditional paradigm of college education. “There are some things about it that are overdue, and it’s just hard to break out of our existing systems and the way we’ve always done things,” he said.

Calling attention to similar programs at other universities, he said that the concept, though a bit different from that of other schools, is full of potential. “If it works and it has the kind of output and the students are getting a lot out of it, I think it can get some traction,” he said.

Wood thinks of the NOVA Fellowship as a university initiative.

“NOVA sprung from a need for more innovation in the curriculum, and not just for business students, but for all students,” he said. Then he thought, “Why not unleash the

potential of TU students into community service?”

“This was just a bridge,” he said. “There’s a lot of nonprofits that need help and innovation. The students, I think, have a lot to offer.”

Indeed, many local nonprofit (and for-profit) organizations have been involved. Community leaders such as United Way, the City of Tulsa and Reasor’s, as well as TU alumni are among those who have both contributed to and benefited from NOVA scholarships.

The Kaiser Family Foundation and, more recently, the Koch Foundation, have been providing grants to the NOVA Fellowship.

Some leaders of these organizations and businesses become mentors to NOVA students, assisting and providing support as needed.

Sometimes, though, business connections can be even more influential than a mentor. Aaron Ball, whose work on food deserts—areas with little access to good nutrition—was recently recognized

by TU, found that his mentors actually could not help him past a certain point. “The information I needed was actually outside of the group,” he said.

Working with people from QuikTrip, the City of Tulsa and many others allowed him to gather information and a perspective that no one else could offer. Although his mentors stayed in close contact with him, he ended up collecting the majority of his information from those who actively participated in the real-world situations he was interested in.

Adam Polcha, a mechanical engineering senior, emphasized the importance of business connections in making a NOVA project work. Intending to help community leaders address environmental problems, Polcha knew he would have to meet some people and rally support before trying to launch his project. “Contacts are going to be useful,” he said.

For Polcha, becoming a NOVA fellow was a “chance to get out of the cave over at Kep.” Polcha also said he “always wanted to do something that’s more substantial than making money … I think there are issues that people aren’t aware of yet ... substantial issues that then they have to deal with once it becomes a serious problem.”

He used the need to lower atmo-

spheric emissions as an example.

Foresight and innovation, he said, would be key to deploying fast and effective measures to solve or prevent problems.

Erika Kessler joined the NOVA Fellowship for its “work together” virtues. “Oh my gosh—it’s a collaborative experience!” she recalled thinking. NOVA represented an opportunity for her to boost a career based on entrepreneurship and maintaining her own business.

Joe Daniel is currently working on two majors in two different colleges. “I saw this as a way to tie them together and really be able to use them and know what I was doing before I went to grad school and got a job,” he said. “Plus, the professor is really awesome,” he added, provoking a sarcastic chuckle from Dr. Wood.

The NOVA Fellowship has received enormous support from the community and the university. According to Dr. Wood, TU President Steadman Upham has been very supportive. Ball’s project concerning food deserts is already complete, and local business and community leaders are already putting his findings to work.

TU mom, employee Kristie Lacy shines in C-store “C-store mama” provides eight-and-a-half years of service to students.

Beate Hall Staff Writer

If you have ever visited the little store attached to the Pat Case Dining Center, you have most likely met Kristie Lacy. Lacy has been a TU employee for more than eight years—she first started work at TU as a cook in the cafeteria, and has also worked in the coffee shop in the Collins Fitness Center.

These days, Lacy mixes up delicious smoothies and shakes for students in the Smoothie Shop and sells the bare necessities to students.

Lacy said that students call her “the C-store mama.” She doesn’t merely sell goods to students, she provides them with information about her purchases. “I know I’m not their mother, but in here I gotta make sure they know what they’re getting,” said Lacy.

She stocks the shelves with the things to meet students’ practical needs. In the last week she has

sold Bengay, condoms and other necessities to TU students.

“Originally I’m from Lansing, Michigan,” Lacy said. She moved to Oklahoma when her husband found work here with American Airlines. Though she lives in Broken Arrow, she remains a die-hard Detroit Lions fan.

Lacy first learned to cook from her grandmother and mother, but started her school cooking career as kitchen help at the Broken Arrow elementary school her children attended. After she and her husband bought a house, she took a job as a salad bar attendant. After moving from school to school in Broken Arrow, she applied for a job at TU, in part so that her daughter could attend the school.

Lacy considers her two children her greatest accomplishment in life. Her daughter, a TU graduate from the class of 2011, fell in love with TU basketball as a sixth grader. “She always wanted to come to the University of Tulsa,” Lacy said.

In order to provide opportunities for her children, Lacy took an open cooking job at TU in 2004 so

that when her daughter graduated in 2006 she would have free tuition. Although her daughter never played a sport for TU, she did well academically, and Lacy said she

could not be prouder.

Lacy also considers herself a sports fan and attends as many games as she can, including the Liberty Bowl.“I sat out in the rain

and the cold and I’d do it again if I could,” she said. Despite her love of sports, Lacy said that her favorite part of working at TU is the students.

Beate Hall / Collegian

The most recent of Kristie Lacy’s many food-related jobs is manning the counter at the C-store, where she sells smoothies and other necessities to TU students.

NEWS

the Collegian : 5

Eye on the world:

28 january 2013 enemy,” the United States; even China, North Korea’s biggest ally, had supported the U.N. sanctions, in turn a response to alleged longrange missile tests conducted last December.

Pyongyang has already performed two nuclear tests, in 2006 and 2009, which were also condemned by United Nations.

On Saturday, North Korea extended the threat of “physical countermeasures” specifically to its southern neighbor, South Korea, in a continuation of hostility that has yet to cease since the Korean War in the 1950’s.

Middle East EGYPT

Witt Womack Student Writer South America brazil In a horrific event last weekend, at least 232 people were killed trying to escape a Brazilian nightclub called “Kiss” after it caught on fire.

The fire seems to have started after a flare was lit as part of a pyrotechnic show for the venue. Early on, the acoustic insulation caught fire and released toxic smoke that confused those in attendance and obscured the few exits. Most of the victims appear to have died of asphyxiation. Many were students who attended a nearby federal university.

East Asia north korea North Korea once more flaunted its aggressive side last Thursday when the country declared its ambition to conduct a nuclear test in spite of tighter U.N. sanctions.

Although the move was mostly directed at North Korea’s “arch-

Spiked Punch Lines hits the road

Friday marked the two-year anniversary of the beginning of the Egyptian revolution of 2011, but the festivities in Egypt’s Tahrir Square, where the original revolution began, could hardly be called celebratory.

Instead, swathes of protesters, discontent with what they consider undemocratic developments since the revolution, again clashed with police in various Egyptian cities.

In Suez, nine people were killed in Friday’s clashes.

Tension had been growing as President Mohammed Morsi and the new Egyptian parliament drafted and approved a constitution that opponents have said “betray the goals of the revolution,” notably in its alleged vagueness in regards to personal freedoms and minority rights.

Africa SOUTH AFRICA

After heavy rainstorms and the resultant flooding in the area around the Limpopo River, a large undertaking began to recover around fifteen-thousand crocodiles who had escaped the Rakwena Crocodile Farm.

The animals, raised mostly for their fashionable skin used for such goods as handbags, are currently being rounded up by teams of makeshift reptile wranglers, who scour the area, usually at night, in order to catch glimpse of the crocodiles’ characteristic red eyes.

Staff at the farm opted to open up the gates containing the crocodiles rather than face a surge caused by the torrential rains, which have displaced thousands of people from their homes. There have been no reported crocodile attacks thus far, but at least 20 people died in the flooding.

Antarctica ANTARCTICA Two notable Antarctic rescue missions were attempted in the previous weeks, one successful.

The unsuccessful mission came about after three Canadians went missing on Wednesday in a Twin Otter aircraft flying from the South Pole to an Italian base. After a day or so of weather conditions that halted the search, the wreckage of the aircraft was found in a condition described as “not survivable.”

This occurred just over a week after a happier Jan. 15 incident, when a British ice patrol boat, the H.M.S. Protector, freed a Norwegian cruise liner from entrapping pack ice. arrested for public intoxication.

TPD was called and the subject was transported to jail by TPD.

Photo courtesy Dan Pepin

Spiked Punch Lines Improv will be representing TU at the annual College Improv Tournament this weekend at the Heartland Regional in Kansas City, MO. They will be competing with 11 other college improv teams for the regional title and the chance to compete at the National level in Chicago this March. From left to right: Beth Geatches, Eli Wright, Anna Bennett, Stephen Lowe, Matthew Bonadona, Evan Fenska.

The most elegant worm you’ll never C Professor’s research applies worm neurology to artificial intelligence.

Kimberly Ann Student Writer

Measuring in at 1 mm long and 80 microns (or millionths of a meter) in diameter, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is possibly one of the most important in scientific research. Barely visible to the naked eye, it is the subject of intense study, including at the University of Tulsa.

A nematode is a roundworm; it has a tubular digestive system with an opening at both ends, and is frequently parasitic. C. elegans has only 302 nerve cells, analogous to switches or transistors in a circuit, but manages to adapt to various environments, move and procreate. For reference, there are about the same number of transistors in a common digital wrist watch.

Even more remarkable is the

number of neurons, more than half, which can be destroyed without the worm loosing functionality in any way.

The worm has been the focus of research since the 1960’s, and there is already a complete neural map and sequenced genome of C. elegans. With this knowledge, researchers are attempting to understand the ways in which the worm adapts to the loss of neurons and assigns functions not only to alternative neural pathways, called “punting,” but also to alternative biological mechanisms.

Associate professor of computer science Roger Mailler is working on a computer simulation of the C. elegans, which researchers can then use to build adaptive computer networks or self-editing programs. If a system could be built which is as efficient and effective as the C. elegans at adaptation, Mailler asserts, we would be able to power an unmanned aerial vehicle with the aforementioned digital watch.

“Imagine there are 200 telescopes around the world attempting to watch a single celestial phenomenon,” explained Mailler.

“Each of these telescopes can be affected by the weather day-night transitions.

“It is exceedingly difficult, not to mention slow, to have one central processing unit which brings in the data from all over the world about which telescopes are functioning properly, have it make decisions about which telescopes should be turned on or off, and send that information back out again.” The telescope network must be able to adapt to the conditions around the world.

This is where the worm comes in. Instead of taking the traditional engineering approach to solving problems, inventing whatever mechanisms come to mind regardless of previous models, he suggests looking around us at the examples we already have and modeling our computer systems after those.

TU students march in MLK Day parade

Jan 17 12:40 Officers responded to a fire alarm in Chapman Hall. Officers discovered that welders working in the basement had set off the smoke alarm.

18:07 Officers were called to Norman Village for an armed robbery. TPD was notified and while taking a report another student that was off campus at 1100 S. Pittsburg Ave reported to TPD that he was robbed possible by the same suspects.

Jan 18 12:00 Officers were called to Mayo Village for an attempted burglary of their apartment. The student stated there was nothing missing but the door was damaged by some unknown suspect(s) trying to force their way in.

The student was gone for the holidays and returned on 13 Jan 2013, but did not report the incident until the 18th of January.

22:05 Officers were called for underage drinkers by the PSM at Fisher West.

23:25 Officers were dispatched for a fire alarm at the Tri-Delta house. Upon arrival a student had burnt popcorn in the microwave.

Jan 19 2:05 Officers on patrol observed a male with a backpack walking/stumbling around between building on campus. Officers made contact and the male was not a student and was

Logan Miller / Collegian

Banners furled and cheerleaders danced as University of Tulsa students participated in a city-wide parade hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Society last Monday morning. Local representatives from businesses, sports teams, and other universities were also in attendance. Later that evening, the Association of Black Collegians and Student Association hosted a vigil in Sharp Chapel that included a speaker, a poetry reading, and a candle-lighting.

6:40 Officers were dispatched for a fight between two male outside at Brown Village. Officers made contact with the males and learned that two brother were fighting. The non-TU student was trespassed banned and escorted off campus.

19:00 Officers were called for an ill student at Fisher West. The student refused to have EMSA called.

Jan 20 1:30 The vice president of the house called security for a female inside the Sigma Chi house that was asking about “Cocaine”. The VP told her to leave the house and then security was called. Officers were not able to find the female.

1:40 Officers on patrol observed a male sleeping inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Mabee West lot. Officers made contact with the subject and he was not a TU student and thought the car was his. The subject had vomited inside the vehicle.

The owner of the vehicle came to the scene and confirmed the male did not have permission to be in their car. TPD was contacted and the subject was arrested and transported to jail.

3:30 Officers were called for a noise complaint at USW. Officers made contact and there had been a fight inside the apartment and a window was broken during the fight.

5:15 Officers were dispatched to West Suites for a fire alarm. Officers determined that a student left on an iron and it set off the alarm. TFD was cancelled.

The Collegian does not produce or edit the Campus Crime Watch except for content and brevity.

The photo beneath the headline “No. 17 Tulsa defeated by Longhorns” on page 3 of the Jan 22 issue of The Collegian should have been attributed to Logan Miller.

variety

28 January 2013

the Collegian : 6

By Anna Bennett

Professors You’ll Meet in College 1. The “Cool” Professor— Has awesome facial hair or a ponytail, and most likely has a tattoo (or two). Owns a motorcycle, probably plays guitar in a Johnny Cash cover band.

Friends you on Facebook.

Photo courtesy Working Title Films

Set in mid 19th century France, “Les Misérables” follows the tragic stories of several characters, such as that of Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and Eponine (Samantha Barks) who are caught in a love triangle during these troubling times.

“Les Mis” plays on heartstrings Featuring an all-star cast, fantastic scoring and excellent performances, “Les Mis” is an emotional roller coaster ride that is certain to delight.

Steven Buchele Student Writer

Movies have different purposes: some are meant to make us laugh, some to make us sit on the edge of our seats in suspense and some to wow us with epic quests and action.

“Les Misérables” takes steady aim for our hearts. The heart-rending musical play—based on the novel

by Victor Hugo—has been adapted to the big screen in a big way.

Following the life of paroled convict John Valjean (Hugh Jackman), the classic tale of redemption made me cry—something a movie has not done for a long time. Anyone who can watch this movie and not at least tear up has no heart. The movie leads you on an emotional roller coaster that hits almost all the right notes.

While all the songs were well done—and most of them surprisingly authentic—a few stood out from the rest. Among the highlights was the iconic “I Dreamed

a Dream,” truly Anne Hathaway’s shining moment in the film.

“Master of the House” was a breath of welcome levity that the emotionally draining first half sorely needed. Moreover, “One Day More” is perhaps my favorite song in the entire movie due to its overlapping complexity and strong scoring.

And the finale, as it should, left my eyes moist. As the credits rolled, I felt like I had been somewhere and achieved something, a feat that few movies achieve.

However, that is not to say that the movie is without its challenges. Not only is it a musical, but all dialog is sung through the entire movie; if anything, it is more like an English opera than a Broadway musical. This decision by director Tom Hooper—known for the award-winning “King’s Speech”—could have made the movie unbearable.

However, Hooper and the cast are able to pull it off excellently, largely thanks to Claude-Michel Schönberg’s classic score. I have been singing these songs since I left the theater.

While some may find the constant singing tiring, I find that it less jarring than regular musicals: the abrupt transitions between song and prose require more suspension of disbelief. I have always wondered what dictates when characters should break out into song, yet that question was not nagging me throughout this movie, which

meant that I was able to enjoy the seamless flow of the story.

All the singing for this movie— and there is a lot of it—was filmed entirely on set, unlike most musicals, in which the songs are recorded months before filming and the actors lip sync along.

Fortunately, this decision did not noticeably diminish the film’s quality, and the more authentic presentation was certainly worth the risk. The movie feels Broadway-sized and much more alive than a movie adaptation.

“Les Mis” was not without its drawbacks: Russell Crowe’s performance as the over-zealous man-of-the-law Javert suffered because of the movie’s format.

Crowe is definitely its weakest link. Throughout his solos he seems intently focused on his singing. His performance is not necessarily bad, but when compared to Jackman, Hathaway and Samantha Barks—who does a marvelous job as Eponine—he feels flat.

All in all, this movie does what it was meant to do, play on viewer’s heart strings with its bittersweet tune. Those who may find both singing and musicals dull should definitely stay through to the end of the movie, because the final scene is worth the price of admission alone.

By the end of the movie, “the beating of your heart will echo the beating of the drum,” and viewers will probably be looking for a tissue or two.

2. The “Trying Too Hard to be Cool” Professor—Attempts un-cool levels of hipness.

Makes really bad jokes in class, asks you about the parties you go to. Syllabus filled with terrible puns. Friends you on Facebook; you haven’t responded yet.

3. The “So Not Cool They Cross Over Into Being Mega Cool” Professor—Doesn’t care about being cool, and in doing so transcends the game to become an icon. Has always worn horn-rimmed glasses, bow-ties and loafers.

Has obscure, awesome hobbies that he ignorantly thinks you wouldn’t be interested in hearing about.

4. The Anecdoter—Is reminded of a vaguely relevant story from life every few minutes during a lecture. In addition to the given subject matter, students will also learn about life in New York, the perils of copyright infringement and how people in Baltimore talk.

5. The Compensator—Teaches a subject that could be pleasant, enjoyable, or easy.

Turns it into a paper-writing hell. Syllabus is basically a novel. Assigns textbooks that won’t even be covered and expects students to gather outside of class time to have discussions. Massive chip on

shoulder; probably up for a promotion.

6. The Unintelligible Accent— Hails from somewhere far, far away, is absolutely brilliant and probably has some excellent stories. Unfortunately, cannot be understood.

7. The Bro/The Chick—Asks to be referred to by first name.

Swears a lot. Hangs out at the same bars you do. Often confused with the “Cool” Professor, but is a unique species. Refuses to go on a date with you.

8. The Thinker—Trails off in the middle of a point and has a revelation at least three times per lecture. Has mind blown at least twice per lecture by students’ insights (i.e.

BS). Tries to blow students’ minds at least five times per lecture. Can speak Middle English. Makes funny faces when thinking.

9. The Treekiller—Assigns tons of reading and writing. Assignments may or may not be difficult, but they are notable for their volume. Students will likely irritate everyone else who’s trying to print in McFarlin, and will definitely exceed their 1,000 page quota. Class copies? Duh. 10. The Bitter Professor— Believes everyone else in the department hates them out of spite. Believes students are jealous and disrespectful. Believes the publishers who rejected their book are ignorant fools. Really needs to get a life.

A$AP Rocky’s latest disappoints A$AP Rocky’s recent album consists of witty wordplay and unusual linguistics, yet is a far cry from his mixtape.

Myriah Downs Student Writer

New York rapper A$AP Rocky recently released his first record label album, “Long.Live.A$AP.” Following the success of his critically acclaimed mixtape of the same name, the 22-year-old rapper was offered an extremely large recording contract.

Hot off the success of his mixtape, A$AP toured with Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Danny Brown. He also collaborated with the Pitchfork Music festival’s blog to get support for his mixtape. His most recent album has been met with a mostly positive reviews, but to understand the development of A$AP as an artist and producer, the new album must be compared to the original mixtape.

The first time I heard A$AP Rocky, my then-boyfriend excitedly rushed to show me what he deemed, “the last hope.” Sprawled across the roof of my Chicago apartment building, he played “Live.Love.A$AP,” and nothing was the same.

In that moment, I realized that A$AP had changed the face of

modern rap music by combining southern melodic vocals with sharp Harlem lyrics and a production aesthetic that reproduced the overwhelming, colorful quality of Grizzly Bear’s “Veckatimest.”

As one track faded into another, he looked up and remarked that the city was too bright to see the stars.

Unfortunately, A$AP Rocky’s debut album, “Long.Live.A$AP” has the same issue, it is too bright for the general listener to see its shine.

A$AP Rocky seems unable to recreate the elements of his mixtapes that made him famous in the first place. “Long.Live.A$AP” is slow and regressive dotted with sharp moments of anxiety. The sad part is that the album plays like a mixtape, a collection of tracks that lack cohesive flow.

Yet, there is something to be said for the album’s haunting aesthetic. While depressing, it is masterfully crafted. However, the same skill was not equally applied to the album’s collaborations, which included Skrillex, Florence Welch and Santigold.

One would assume, after these artists’ fantastic collaborations in Schoolboy Q’s “Hands on the Wheel,” that they would all have another success, yet their contribution lacks cohesiveness, like the rest of the album.

The song “Goldie” is what any “Live.Love.A$AP”-era fan thought this album would be. It features A$AP’s witty wordplay and unusual linguistics that delight and amaze. The song oozes cool while throwing shade on radio play rappers.

On the other hand, “F**kin’ Problems” is the song that singlehandedly lost both A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar favor in the esoteric circles that made them famous. The song oversimplifies A$AP’s aesthetic to generic radio rap. It removes all the tongue-incheek references that elevated A$AP and Kendrick Lamar’s music and dumbs them down to cheap references about sex and cars.

The answer to the intellectually challenged “F**kin’ Problems” is “1Train,” featuring an indie rap line-up straight out of Coachella. The song features heavy bass characteristic of mid-90s Wu-Tang Clan tracks with a modern edge.

The song is successful both as a part of the album and as a standalone track.

“Fashion Killer” displays one of A$AP’s best lyrical qualities; and even when he is being vain and materialistic, he does not grate on the nerves. Listeners will find no references to “how much ice” he has or about “the gold all in his watch.” The most influential portion of the song is the way it contrasts with “Suddenly,” in which A$AP describes his constantly changing life.

The album comes to melancholy halt with “I Come Apart,” presumably an ode to rumored flame and fellow former XXL Freshman, Iggy Azalea. While the album may have been unexpected—particularly for old fans—it is worth the listen, and features genre-bending production that will make an impression on music fans.

Anna Bennett / Collegian

Sushi Train features a number of delectable delights, such as “The Twister,” (pictured above) which is made with salmon, asparagus, smelt roe, cream cheese and flying fish egg.

All aboard for sushi heaven!

Students looking for a little excitement to accompany their meal should look no further than Sushi Train.

Located at 51st and Harvard, Sushi Train features an extensive menu, a train and all-around fun.

Anna Bennett Staff Writer

The Pink Lady. The Monkey. The Bayou. The Galaxy. Tulsa’s hottest clubs? Nope! Just some of the different rolls of sushi you can ogle and snatch up as they zip by on a train set that chugs around Tulsa’s aptly named Sushi Train restaurant.

Like all full-service restaurants, this esoteric joint at 51st and Harvard has an extensive menu complete with larger, more expensive rolls, other entrée options, and of course cop-out American food for that one guy (or picky kid) in every group who refuses to eat sushi.

But let’s face it, you can order off a menu anywhere else. You

come here to eat off a train.

Sushi Train is perfect for people who are visual, whose appetites are whetted by the beauty of food rather than description. It is also great for people who secretly hate ordering off a menu, and the sort of commitment it entails. There is something so low-key and lowpressure about snatching a plate of sushi off a train.

The offerings from this locomotive of deliciousness change from night to night, but the surprise is all part of the fun. And the surprises are almost always pleasant.

The one thing you will not be surprised by? The bill at the end of the night. The offerings on the train are served on color-coded plates, for which the prices are displayed on the wall. Sushi per plate runs between $1.75 and $3.55, which encourages guests to create quite the stack of plates by the end of the night.

While you may find restaurants in Tulsa with higher quality sushi and swankier atmosphere, you will not have as much fun at Yokozuna as you will at the Sushi Train. This restaurant’s charm and value have quickly made it one of my favorite whistle stops in Tulsa.

Sushi Train is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

opinion

the Collegian : 7

28 January 2013

New flu is nothing to blow your nose at The buzz surrounding the new flu epidemic is hyperbole that happens every year with little impact.

Beate Hall

Student Writer

years for an antiviral drug to be created, tested, approved and put out into the market. This means that unless the patient catches an older version of the flu, fluids and rest are the only effective recourses available.

Most of the people who die from the flu are elderly, infirm, pregnant women, young children or the underserved.

There have been years when the flu was more potent and more likely to affect the health of young

adults, but typically healthy young adults do not die from the flu. Every human life is important, but for most young people the flu should not be something to worry about.

among people who are not getting enough sleep or eating well, like many college students. However, if a few simple precautions are taken, the flu can easily be con-

“If a few simple precautions are taken, the flu can easily be contained” Since it is a virus, it does spread, especially in crowded situations, like residence halls, and especially

Flu season is upon us, and it is time for the flu shot. It is also the season of endless health warnings in every bathroom and classroom.

The precautions seem simple enough: wash hands with warm water and soap, stay home when ill and do not share food or drink with others.

The influenza virus first entered the global scene in the winter of 1918-1919 at the end of World War I. The men who had been in the trenches for months became ill, and there were reported cases of otherwise healthy young soldiers dropping dead by the end of a day.

The nonfatal symptoms are basically the same as in 1918: the runny nose, the fever, the body aches. However, the flu virus changes each year, as the virus quickly adapts to antiviral drugs.

Individual strains of the virus appear every winter that are resistant to current drugs. It can take

tained. It is a big deal if someone with major health issues catches it, but they are just as likely to have

Graphic by Caroline Kohlhagen

complications from any virus that adversely affects the lungs and their lung capacity.

There have been flu epidemics. There was the H1N1 strain in 2009-2010 and other epidemics that killed millions during the last century.

They are not localized, and can be considered pandemics.

Pandemics are ranked on a 1-5 scale based on the number of people who are expected to die and the number of cases expected.

1 is the lowest ranking, and seasonal flu is normally ranked as a one on the Pandemic severity index chart.

Swine flu, or H1N1, of 20092010 was also ranked as at 1. The Asian flu and Hong Kong flu of the 1950s and 1960s were ranked at, 2 while the Spanish influenza was scaled as a 5, a rating that indicates that two percent or more of all cases will be fatal.

The flu does happen, but until the seasonal flu gets a higher ranking, it should not be something for people to worry about annually beyond general hygiene and health precautions.

If doctors warn that the flu is a pandemic, this has been the case for many years. If professionals predict that the flu will likely be higher on the scale, then extra precautions are not a bad idea.

Most years it is no big deal for a healthy, young adult like the majority of our campus.

Syrian civil war needs international intervention confronted with in my freshman World Politics course. The experiment is designed to show the dilemma many countries face when deciding whether to intervene in a foreign crisis or not.

The United States has had to Zhenya Yevtushenko face this situation many times, and the Obama administration Staff Writer has been tested early and often with the developments of the Arab Spring.

The crisis in Syria has been raging for two years, and global leadImagine yourself wandering in an ers have been slow and hesitant to unknown land. Slowly you enter a respond. More than 40,000 have

Intervention is necessary in Syria as tensions between Assad and the rebels may lead to chemical warfare.

quiet village. As you walk further you pass by people with desperate eyes, many tired. In the village center you see ten men lined up against a wall, blindfolded.

A group of armed men stand behind them, their leader approaches you and says,“If you take my gun and shoot two of these villagers, I will spare the rest. If you leave I will have my men kill them all.

As you weigh these choices I will kill one man at a regular interval.”

What do you do?

This is a variation of a standard thought experiment I was

died, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that 1 million are going hungry, more than 600,000 have fled the country of 23 million and 2.5 million are internally displaced.

The West and Syria’s Arab neighbors have been outspoken in their support, but have taken little action. In their Syria Response Plan, the UN has established a complex multilateral network involving seven UN agencies and 27 national and international NGO’s in bordering countries.

NATO has begun to set up sites for Patriot missile batteries

in southern Turkey as a response to Syrian bombings in the area.

In October, the king of Jordan requested American military consultants to prepare Jordanian forces against a possible chemical weapon barrage.

Bashar al-Assad has repeatedly called the rebels “terrorists” and says that it a purely a domestic issue. Russia and China, permanent members of the UN Security Council, have constantly redrawn new lines for the Assad regime to cross. China and Russia especially have geopolitical and economic

Photo courtesy of The Boston Globe

interests with Syria.

Additionally, both countries are acting as devil’s advocates because they too have domestic issues with terrorists and are very mindful of establishing a precedent of international intervention.

Contrary to Assad, this conflict is not confined within Syria’s old colonial borders. The flow of small arms and refugees has already created a large spillover effect, straining neighboring governments.

These multilateral actions are not sufficient to contain the spillover of violence and weapons pro-

liferation. The purpose of all this waiting around was to find a political solution between the Assad regime and the rebels. The Free Syrian Army is no army in the sense of a clear chain of command, and most military operations are conducted by local brigades.

Conservative and even moderate groups within Syria have been swayed by well-funded extremist groups like Jabhat Al-Nusra, which commands a multinational force of 7,000 fighters, and had declared a global jihad in 2007 backed by Al- Qaeda.

Other less extreme but heavily conservative groups are popular with young Syrians because, as a young Syrian commander explained in an interview with the

Economist “…we have religious differences, but I know if I join them I will have my tools waiting.” Even though such groups are not the most numerous, they are the most successful in military operations.

December marked a turning point in which 500 representatives from Alawite, Kurdish, Christian and other factions established the Syrian National Coalition, which President Obama called “the legitimate representative of the Syrian people in opposition to the Assad regime.”

Foreign leaders now have a

trustworthy rebel governing authority with which to work.

If the outside world truly wishes for peace in the region, they must realize that the time for waiting has long passed. Assad has had two years to negotiate through this civil war, but it has become clear that he will hold on to power as long as he can.

The international community needs to put pressure on him by conditionally sending arms to Syrian rebels through the new coalition.

Such support from the West and Syria’s neighbors will do much to defuse the feeling of abandonment many Syrians have felt.

This additional pressure coupled with the defection of important

Graphic courtesy of Political Geography Now

Assad officials, most recently Major General Abdulaziz al-Shalal, commander of military police, is the only remaining move to force Assad’s hand before he deploys chemical weapons.

Even worse, these armed chemical weapons could make it into the hands of a rogue extremist group.

All parties understand that if the regime uses chemical weapons, it will draw international intervention.

The waiting needs to stop for the sake of Syria’s people and for international security.

Opinion

28 JANUARY 2013

the Collegian : 8

Equality a hopeful inauguration speech theme Obama’s inaugural speech provided clear plans for the current White House’s strategies for America.

Myriah Downs

Student Writer

On Jan. 21, Barack Obama was sworn into office in the 57th U.S. presidential inauguration. After the swearing-in, Obama began his address with an homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., followed by a quotation from the Declaration of Independence.

The inaugural address delivered clarity on the progressive plans of the Obama administration, while providing context for his ideals.

The address gave Americans a clearer picture of where the country is headed in terms of major

political points from the election season.

This is in sharp contrast to Obama’s previous inaugural speech, which left many wondering if the promises made on the campaign trail would ever become realities.

The second inauguration speech lacked the lofty ideals of Obama’s past orations, but gave Americans a road map for progress.

Throughout the speech, Obama referred to the importance of the people of a republic and the necessity of equal representation to the framers of the Constitution.

Obama drew strong parallels to the bloody battles fought for American independence and the fight that remains ahead of us.

Such language was used highlight the connection between the Obama campaign and the roots of American democracy.

Obama also harnessed the inspiring optimism of his 2008 campaign: “America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without

boundaries demands: youth and drive, diversity and openness, of endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention.”

This also calls on the idea that America will need to re-envision itself in order to excel.

Some of the adaptations referenced in his speech were among hotly debated social programs

fair play” to ensure the market “thrives.” This is an example of the progress to which Obama’s campaign slogan, “Forward,” alluded.

Obama then transitioned into the idea that our “great nation must care for the vulnerable and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.”

“The inaugural address delivered clarity on the forward movement plans of the Obama administration” which Obama referred to as “outworn” and “inadequate.”

The direct presentation in the inaugural address was starkly different from Obama’s campaign speeches.

Here he laid out a clear plan for the evolution of the American economy.

Obama expressed support for the free market, as well as the importance of “competition and

Among the hazards to America is the battle between the “shrinking few (who) do very well and a growing many (who can) barely make it.”

Obama called for fair wages and a “revamp” of the tax code to ensure Americans can “find independence and pride in their work.”

Such a strong stance on fair economic practices coupled with unbridled support for the middle

class presents the message to Americans that the government is behind them and their struggle to “liberate (themselves) from the brink of hardship.”

When concluding his speech, Obama spoke of the importance of equality of opportunity in America, something critics of U.S. social programs seem to misunderstand.

“We are true to our creed,” Obama said, “when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.”

This statement is perhaps the most powerful of Obama’s speech because it implores Americans to consider that government is more than about what is fair, government is about what is just.

The importance of this calling is that it is passed on to each American in our pursuit to, “reach higher” to accomplish new goals and overcome the challenges that confront us.

Top-down education reform cheats students No Child Left Behind and similar education initiatives do little to advance the state of education because they don’t impact education in the classroom.

Steven Buchele

Student Writer

As a public school brat, I listen a little closer when I hear news about the education of great United States of America.

I hear a lot of noise about America falling behind Asian and European countries.

People understand that something needs to be fixed, and we should be worried about how we stack up against the rest of the world.

However, I object to the way that we have gone about attempting to fix the problem.

Standardized assessment continually fails. I am not necessarily

saying that we should not assess our educational system constantly.

No Child Left Behind and similar reform measures only turn the educational system against itself.

In theory, having a set list of things that should be tested and taught is good.

In practice, however, testing several core standards exclusively turns schools into mere boxchecking factories.

The scorecard become more important than actually teaching.

To test core standards, there needs to be a finite number of boxes to check. Inevitably that means something very important

riculum. Not just some books, literature in its entirety was removed from the curriculum.

In addition to the flawed system, I believe the proposed methods of fixing our education system are far worse than the current flaws.

While proponents talk of “raising all students to the highest level of proficiency,” in practice schools put all their effort into raising the lowest quartile to the absolute minimum level of adequacy.

This means that three-fourths of students are either receiving inadequate attention or no attention whatsoever.

For some reason, it is now com-

ourselves.

There is a difference between gathering the information our-

“We should be focused on making better and more effective classrooms” gets lost.

Because of the Kansas State Benchmarks for its statewide standardized test, for example, the curriculum did not include literature.

Books were simply banned from the high school English cur-

monly believed that the upper quartile can teach itself.

As members of a university mostly populated by that upper quartile, I think we can agree that while we can learn some things on our own, we cannot always teach

Jill Graves / Collegian

selves and receiving instruction and guidance from a master in whatever subject.

My last qualm with current standardized assessment and rank-

ing is that it works almost exclusively on the administrative level.

Principals, superintendents and other staff are usually left to implement or mandate improvements.

This is done in the name of flexibility so that each school or district can work inside their its situation.

However, this is at least one level away from where the problem lies: the classroom.

Instead of grading schools or giving out blue ribbons based on test scores, we should be focused on making better and more effective classrooms, teachers and students.

Yes, the scale of such a project would be massive, working with each individual classroom, each teacher, each student.

If America is going to improve the way people want it to, such attention and focus are needed.

The state of our public schools is still relevant to us as university students.

Even though we have escaped the purgatorial high schools, our future peers, co-workers and leaders are still there. It would be selfish of us not to give those still in school the best education possible.

Man’s impact on the environment affects us in return Gasoline additive tetraethyl lead may be cause of 70’s, 80’s crime wave—just another chemical folly.

Kyle Walker

Managing Editor

Beginning in 1970, national crime rates began an alarming climb that would not stop until two decades later when the crisis would end as bizarrely as it began.

The national political response to this rise in crime amounted to this sophisticated logic: “lock ‘em up.” Instead of focusing on and eliminating root causes of crime,

the nation’s leaders decided the best response was to increase minimum penalties and rack up incarcerations.

It may be more correct to view the crime wave of 1970 to 1990 as a two-fold evil: an outpouring of violence and a rush of people into the country’s prisons. At the time of this writing, the United States incarcerates more of its citizens than any other country: 730 for every 100,000 people.

Explanations for the increase in crime were varied. Some people claimed that a decline in moral values was to blame. Others seem to think that the wave was the result of more and more children being born as a result of unintended pregnancies. The end of the crime wave was the result of Roe v. Wade and access to safe, legal abortion and abundant contraceptives.

But it has been suggested by economist Rick Nevin that the cause of the 1970s to 1990s crime wave was, in fact, the prevalence of the gasoline additive tetraethyl lead (TEL). Nevin’s data, which include not only international studies but also U.S. state-, cityand neighborhood-level studies, shows an unwavering correlation between levels of TEL in the atmosphere and crime rates twenty years later.

TEL has long been known to have detrimental effects on human development. Even low levels of exposure to TEL have been shown in longitudinal studies to negatively affect the development of cognitive abilities. It also has a nasty habit of remaining in the soil long after the air is largely clear.

Leaded gasoline has been banned in the United States since

1995. But atmospheric TEL levels began to fall before that. As higher-octane unleaded replacements for leaded gasoline became availablem TEL emissions fell. Atmospheric TEL levels began dropping nationwide around 1970.

Twenty years later, a decadeslong crime wave disappeared and no one was able to account for its sudden rise and fall.

But if Nevin is correct, and plenty of studies indicate that he and others like him may very well be, the crime wave can be blamed on biochemistry and ecology. It should surprise no one that dumping one ton of TEL into the atmosphere for every 1,000 people— the rough atmospheric TEL level in the mid-1950s—had an impact on people’s behavior.

The things we do to our environment likely have as much of an

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impact on crime as the distribution of wealth. We should not be putting “ingredients” with unquantifiable and unpredictable effects into our environment. The consequences from the presence of such substances is not only medical—it can be behavioral, as well.

Furthermore, the groups of people most affected by the rise and fall of TEL were those already disenfranchised. TEL concentrations tend to be higher in poorer neighborhoods due to their frequent proximity to major transportation routes.

This fact adds one more difficulty to the cluster of obstacles that put socioeconomic status at birth among the strongest predictors of future criminality.

Instead of building more prisons we ought to be minimizing the impact of modern industry.

editor-in-chief—Kalen Petersen managing editor—Kyle Walker news editor—Conor Fellin sports editor—Aubry Midkiff variety editor—Stephanie Hice opinion editor—Patrick Creedon satire editor—Tim Nissen photo & graphics editor—Jill Graves staff writers—Anna Bennett, Beate Hall, Oscar Ho, Victoria McGouran, Zhenya Yevtushenko business & advertising manager—Liz Cohen distribution manager—Tyler Magill web editor—Mary Carol Franko adviser—Kendra Blevins

28 JANUARY 2013

the

the state-run media

State-Run media Funny enough for government work.

“War on Prayerism” to bring ORU to its knees King John I grants no quarter for Oral Roberts University extremists.

Stephen Buchele Fact finder

Tim Nissen

King’s cup-bearer King John I handed down an edict today in response to a disconcerting new developments in the ongoing war against Oral Roberts University, which the University of Tulsa invaded in April’s “Operation Enduring Just Freedom Storm.” The edict returns funding to a neglected McCarty-era military initiative: the “War on Prayerism.”

King John’s recent “pronouncement of justice” was a response to ORU’s brash and recent declaration that it intends to proceed with the dedication of its new Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center.

The Hammer Center will include what ORU’s regime has called a new “tech/gaming center,” which TU intelligence has learned is a front for a sophisticated prayer-anium enrichment facility. The center will also include “prayerist sleeper cells”—small dorms where students can grab a quick hour’s sleep when exhausted from a night of ping-pong or summoning fire down upon the University of Tulsa.

Armand Hammer’s grandson, Michael Armand Hammer, refused to comment to the State-Run Media so that “no inane baking soda jokes are made about our proud Hammer family name.”

The State-Run Media did, however, reach an ORU student, who said: “I’m so excited for this new center to be a place where students can finally come together and collectively yearn for the day when the University of Tulsa is ashes.

All I can say is WOW!” But TU students need not fear, because John I, King of TU’s Student Association, has clearly expressed his intention to keep troops engaged in “Operation Enduring Just Freedom Storm.”

Reading his edict from the Mc-

Graphic by Jill Graves

Graphic by Jill Graves

Last week, Oral Roberts University held a ceremony for students and alumni to unveil the recent “purely aesthetic” renovations to its iconic Prayer Tower.

Farlin library steps, His Mightiness’ voice boomed: “It is time that the Golden Eagle scourge fall from the sky. It is time for the end of this ‘Reign of Prayer’; Armand Hammer has done nothing to absorb the foul stench of ORU’s tyrannical regime, nor can Armand Hammer relieve the rash on South Tulsa that is Oral Roberts University.”

We at the State-Run Media vigorously agree with the King that there is no time to waste. ORU is rising in power after making a powerful ally, Mart Green, the zealous head lobbyist at the notoriously crafty Hobby Lobby.

Green is best known for his lobby’s refusal to pay for medical coverage of employees’ contraceptives and for his ruthless promotion of thousands—yes, thousands—of uses of Arm and Hammer® baking soda.

TU intelligence agents have discovered one such use—improvised explosive devices.

In fact, a recent wiretap overheard Green grimly saying, “the Armand Hammer Center can be used for anything, and it will be used for anything.”

Although TU President Steadman Upham, as Commander in Chief, technically has the sole power to declare war on ORU, he is more of a figurehead in the university military—TU administrators report to King John on matters of war.

While the king was swept into power on a libertarian, anti-war platform, he has boldly expanded the anti-prayerist agenda of his predecessor, President Grant McCarty, even sending TU operatives into far-flung bastions of prayerism like John Brown University and Oklahoma Baptist University.

Lance Armstrong admits to faking Te’o’s girlfriend

Graphic by Jill Graves

“You have to admit it’s funny,” said Armstrong to Te’o at a particularly uncomfortable moment in the Oprah interview. “Yes, I was a bully. But I mean, come on, you totally fell for it.”

Kalen Petersen Fact fabricator

In a stunning disclosure last week, seven-time Tour de France-winning cyclist Lance Armstrong told Oprah Winfrey that he was responsible for fabricating Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o’s non-existent girlfriend, “Lennay Kekua.”

In an hour-long interview that was sometimes apologetic, sometimes defiant, Armstrong said he was “sorry” for leading Te’o to believe that his girlfriend come out of a coma only to later die of cancer. “I was caught up in the story—in the myth I created, of this

Top Keplinger Hall search terms of 2012:

girl who beat leukemia by coming back from the dead,” Armstrong.

“It’s just this perfect story, and it wasn’t true.”

Throughout the 2012 football season, Armstrong supplied the voice of the fictional Kekua in phone conversations with Te’o, inhaling helium to enhance his vocal performance. Details of Armstrong’s girlfriend-impersonation scheme came to light after the U.S. Anti-Duping Agency (USADA) accused Armstrong of running the “most sophisticated, professional and successful duping programme the sport has ever seen.”

Officials allege that Armstrong

pressured cycling teammates into playing the parts of Kekua’s friends and family. Armstrong has since admitted to faking Kekua’s Facebook profile and life history to keep the hoax a secret. Armstrong allegedly hired a professional voice coach to help him take on the “Lennay” role.

While Armstrong admitted to many of the charges leveled at him, he said that he had gotten “caught up” in the story of the “remarkable young woman who inspired so many people to live strong.”

“When she was diagnosed, that turned her into a fighter,” Arm-

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Equality: are we really ready?

Last week, Prez Obama gave a moving speech on some kind of journey he wanted us to follow him on, about aliens giving Americans supernatural rights, on Americans being young and liking to drive, and finally reminding us that he likes taking oaths.

Okay, maybe I didn’t actually hear the speech, but I’d say I got the gist. All I know for sure is that he talked about my worst enemy: Equality.

Now don’t get me wrong, I like equality. I mean, I don’t like other people thinking they are equal to me, but I love that saying the word makes people think I’m political.

Just the other day I threw into conversation that I liked equality and someone started talking to me about gay marriage. It was awkward when I had to tell them that I meant I liked quality, as in my second steak to be equally as tender as my first.

And everyone wants the right to marriage, but they always forget that every right comes with a cost.

Once you gain the right to marry, you lose the right to say, “Sorry babe, I’d love to finally commit and marry you, but it’s against the law, bummer.”

Which leads me to ask: Really, America, have we actually thought this through? First comes equal rights in marriage, or equal opportunity at success, but then what comes next? I have to compete with women for jobs? I have to watch shrimps like me blunder around on basketball courts?

When does the madness end?

And let’s go ahead and end our obsession with the past. So my dad was mean to your dad—let’s get past that. Be progressive. So long as by “progressive” we all mean “my cars are getting progressively larger.” And for the love of all that is good, if we’re all going to throw a big equality party, let’s at least not invite the poor.

We, the people, are just not created equal and have got to deal with it. Look at me for instance, I’m basically the greatest thing since the creation of bacon. And have you met other people?

If you would like to create equality then there’s a very simple solution, just have everyone be like me. Scraggly beards, short statures, and huge egos walking around on every street, it would be like heaven on Earth.

It’s time for the people to stand up and say “all of us are created equal” the same way that tofu tastes exactly like hamburgers or that Captain America looked just as hot when he was wimpy Steve Rogers.

strong said. “I half believed in Lennay myself,” he said.

Armstrong also blamed football culture for allowing the hoax to continue. “Look, I know Manti wasn’t the only football player out there with a fake sweetheart. A lot of athletes needed the extra emotional boost just to stay competitive,” he said.

The USADA has said that Armstrong frequently made up inspirational stories to motivate his fellow cyclists on the U.S. Postal team.

Teammate George Hincape, for example, alleges that Armstrong used a similar story to improve his Tour de France time. “Lance told me that my grandmother—who is 90, by the way—had been run over by a train, and then she went on to climb Mt. Everest. In retrospect, why did I believe this guy? Why did anyone?”

In the interview, Armstrong said

his hoax was the only way Te’o could have contended for the Heisman trophy. “I felt that by deceiving the world with a far-fetched sob story, I was just leveling the playing field for Manti,” he said.

When asked whether he felt that what he did was wrong, Armstrong said, “I manipulated a young man’s emotions with a tragic story straight out of a soap opera, broke his heart by killing her off, then brought her back to life, but no, I didn’t feel like I had crossed a line,” he said.

“But now I’m truly, truly sorry,” he added.

The interview came to an abrupt end when Te’o—with a sad and desperate look in his eyes—rushed onto the stage, grabbed Armstrong by the lapels, and began shaking him, demanding, “Where’s Lennay?” and “What have you done with her?”

A hard look at the facts of America’s ill-thought-out quest for equality.

Nick Blandino Pundit

the collegian: 10

28 JANUARY 2013

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