september 17, 2012 issue 3 ~ volume 98
IN THE
DARK Orsak’s dismissal still unexplained, questions remain unanswered Kalen Petersen Editor-in-Chief
Mystery continues to surround the firing of Dr. Geoffrey Orsak from the University of Tulsa’s presidency after 74 days in office. Orsak’s removal was announced Wednesday in an e-mail to students and staff signed by Duane Wilson, Chairman of TU’s board of trustees. That message did not cite any cause for the unexpected decision. Executive Vice President Kevan Buck, the university’s chief financial officer, will be taking over the duties of the president until the board decides on an interim president. Buck said that he was notified of the board’s decision “about a day in advance.” Buck, who has spent 29 years in higher education, said that TU can expect a smooth transition because of its highly experienced senior staff. “As far as the University’s going forward, we’re in good shape,” he said. In a statement to the press, Orsak said he was “very disappointed given the lengthy due diligence process for the position.” Orsak was Dean of Southern Methodist University’s Lyle School of Engineering before taking the helm at TU. “My family and I made significant professional and personal sacrifices when we uprooted from Dallas so that I would have the special opportunity to lead the University of Tulsa,” Orsak said. Buck called Orsak “a nice guy,” but declined to comment on the causes of Orsak’s termination. “I have to give you the answer that’s been published,” Buck said. “The board did an exhaustive search to find him, and wanted it to work, and it didn’t.” Members of the board and administration have consistently declined to comment on the reasons for Orsak’s firing. In a statement Thursday, Wilson acknowledged that the decision “occasioned intense interest and many questions,” but offered no further details as to the board’s action, citing “discretion and university policy.” Orsak’s release came one day after it was announced that he was taking a leave of absence to visit his father, who is hospitalized in Dallas with a brain tumor. The board’s second statement noted that “Although unavoidable, the timing of this decision was particularly unfortunate,” and wished Orsak’s family well.
Students and staff alike reacted to the firing with shock. “I think it’s a big deal because when we just got a new president and we’re in this period of transition, he just goes away on mysterious circumstances,” said sophomore Trokon Johnson. “You wonder what happened, and if the university’s alright.” Jerry McCoy, a TU physics professor, said that he was “caught off-guard” by the news. “I knew his father was ill, I knew he was in Dallas tending to that, and even got a note from him two or three days ago from Dallas,” McCoy said. “In the note, he acted all presidential, and I was aware of nothing. Then I hear yesterday that he’s taken a leave of absence. Then I started getting indications, hearsay from others that it’s more serious than that.” McCoy said that he was told by an employee in the Office of Human Resources that while it is “not illegal to disclose personnel actions, it would be to invite a lawsuit.” Wilson offered assurances of a “smooth course” ahead, expressing confidence in both Buck and in the board. “We are moving forward with business as usual,” he said. After its 18th president served the shortest term in university history, that business will now include counteracting rumors and convincing the TU community that the school is still on course. “It’s an unfortunate thing, but I don’t see it as setting us back, I really don’t,” Buck said. “There’s too many people who think too highly of this university.” Wilson said that the search for Orsak’s successor would soon be underway: “The board is discussing next steps as we work toward identifying TU’s 19th president.” Buck confirmed that the board would meet Monday to discuss an interim presidency. While no arrangements have been made yet, Buck said that former President Steadman Upham might be considered to lead TU through its presidential transition. “It wouldn’t shock me if he were to say, ‘I’ll come back and stabilize things until we continue the next search,’” Buck said. Buck called Upham, with whom he worked for eight years, “a great guy, a gentleman,” and expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of his return. Buck declined to comment on whether the search process for Orsak was flawed, but pointed out that the search agency that identified Orsak was the same one that brought Upham and former President Robert Lawless to TU. “We’ll probably go back to another exhaustive process to find somebody again, and hope it works out better,” Buck said.
Sports
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
THE COLLEGIAN : 2
Tulsa pops Colonels Tulsa gained and maintained a strong lead out of the gate, resulting in a triumphant win over Nicholls State. Jake Dodson Student Writer
Charlie Stubbs returned to Chapman Stadium on a cool and cloudy Saturday evening this weekend. Stubbs was The University of Tulsa’s Offensive Coordinator from 2003 to 2006, and helped Tulsa to capture its first Conference USA Championship and its first bowl victory in since 1991. Stubbs is now the head coach of the Nicholls State Colonels football team, and his return to Tulsa was not as triumphant as he might have hoped. The game began with a bang, as Tulsa quickly got on the board. Tulsa running back Ja’Terian Douglas scampered for a 67-yard touchdown on the third play of the game. On Tulsa’s following drive, Douglas struck again, this time with a 70-yard run that set up an Alex Singleton 1-yard score, giving Tulsa a 14–0 lead just six and half minutes into the first quarter. The Golden Hurricane would later add another first-quarter score in the form of a Trey Watts 10-yard touchdown run. On the following Nicholls State possession, the stout Hurricane defense would make its only mistake of the first half. Colonels quarterback Landry Klann executed a beautiful handoff to the wide receiver in motion LaQuinten Caston, fooling the Hurricane defense. Caston took the ball 63 yards for the only Nicholls State touchdown of the first half; the extra point would be blocked. From this point on, a balanced Tulsa offense took over, beginning with a clutch fourth-down conversion from Tulsa quarterback Cody Green. On fourth and six from the Nicholls State 31-yard line, Green delivered a strike to halfback Willie Carter down the sideline for the Hurricane’s first passing touchdown of the day. Two possessions later, after leading the Tulsa offense down to the Nicholls State 15-yard line, Green lofted a perfect pass to wide receiver Keyarris Garrett in the corner of the endzone, increasing the Tulsa lead to 35–6. Green then left the field as backup Kalen Henderson entered the game on the next possession. Green finished 10 for 15 for 130 yards and two touchdowns. At this point in the second quarter, the Golden Hurricane offense had run only 22 plays, resulting in 273 total yards and a 29-point lead. Ja’Terian Douglas punched in one more touchdown run, and Nicholls State would add a late field goal to make the score 42–9 at halftime. In the second half, The Golden Hurricane would effectively maintain its lead while offering many reserve players some much-needed
J. Christopher Proctor / Collegian
Defensive back Luke Snider flings himself into the melee of his teammates, defensive back Will Noel, linebacker Daniel Gibney, defensive back Austin McDaniel, Matt Linscott and defensive back Marcus Pate as they stop the Nicholls State offense in their tracks.
playing time. One special moment occurred midway through the third quarter, when Tulsa safety Dexter McCoil picked off Klann for his 14th career interception, making him Tulsa’s all-time leader in interceptions. “That was the only game ball we gave in the locker room, went to Dexter,” said Tulsa Head Coach Bill Blankenship. “That meant a lot for our team. I think that tells you a lot about Dexter McCoil if you saw how his teammates celebrated him getting the record.” “It means a lot,” McCoil said of the record. “It is a great gift from God, and I’m so thankful for the many blessings that he has given me. Just to get a game ball is really big in my life. I never really had any history breaking moments in high school, or anything like this. So this is a moment that I am going to cherish for the rest of my life.” Overall, Tulsa played a solid half, with the offense emphasizing the run game with running back Zach Langer. Langer was often the feature back in the second half, carrying the ball 15 times for 67 yards and two TDs. While the defense stayed tough and held Nicholls State to only one second-half score, a 51-yard pass from Klann to wide receiver Aldaro Russell, leading to a final score of 66–16 in the Hurricane’s favor. Next week, a quality Fresno State team will invade Chapman Stadium. With Fresno State coming off of a 69–14 victory over Colorado, this will be a much more difficult game for the Golden Hurricane. Defensively, the Hurricane will be aided by the return of suspended starting linebacker Shawn
J.Christopher Proctor / Collegian
Wide receiver Conner Floyd evades Nicholls State’s best efforts with only 25 seconds left in the third quarter, moving the ball even closer to the Tulsa endzone.
Jackson, the team’s best pass rusher. With the return of Jackson, the defense should be in good shape to attack the Fresno State offense. But the main concern for Tulsa is Cody Green. At this point in the season, Tulsa goes as Cody Green goes. Green and the offense have played well the past two games, but they will be tested against Fresno State. Green will need to have an accurate vertical passing game and maintain his strong leadership and poise within the offense in order to come up with a big win against a good Fresno State team. Unlike
J. Christopher Proctor / Collegian
Coach Blankenship looks on as running back Zack Langer scores a one-yard touchdown, the last touchdown of the game and the first of his career, bringing the final score to 66–16.
the Fresno State game next Saturday, the 50 point victory against Nicholls State is in the books.
And will justifiably be savored by all TU fans in attendance last Saturday evening.
Think you ’Cane? With two wins under its belt, the Golden Hurricane will look to close out its three game home stand in Saturday’s tilt with the spunky Fresno State Bulldogs. While the Bulldogs were not expected to be a serious challenge by many Tulsa fans at the onset of the season, a strong showing against No. 4 Oregon and a 69–14 thrashing of the PAC-12 Colorado Buffalo have shown that Fresno will be a serious contender when they come to Skelly this week. Look for an old school highoctane shootout, as both teams put up 60 last week and have a knack for lighting up the scoreboard.
Location: Fresno, California Students: 25,000 Mascot: Timeout the Bulldog Record: 2–1 2011 Record: 4–9 Last Week: W vs. Colorado 69–14 Last meeting: 2005, TU won 31–24 in Liberty Bowl ACT 25th / 75th Percentile: 16/22
Sports
THE COLLEGIAN : 3
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
Hurricane blows wrong way The winds of fortune threw the Hurricane women’s soccer team off course, resulting in a tie against Oral Roberts University. Oscar Ho
Student Writer The University of Tulsa women’s soccer team faced the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles on Friday. TU tied ORU 1–1 with two overtime sessions. TU now has a 5–2–1 win-lose-tie ratio while ORU stands at 3–3–2. The drizzly Friday night game started mildly, but the Hurricane gained momentum. Tulsa’s aggression soon began to strain ORU’s defense. Good coordination between Hurricane strikers and midfielders helped set up several shots on goal. However, despite Tulsa’s scoring opportunities, ORU goalie Helen Erb and her defenders proved to be flexible and fast, thwarting all but one shot. TU striker Rebecca Handley scored the game’s first goal. Assisted by defender Claire Hulcer, Handley received a free kick and headed the ball straight into the goal. The elation of the point was short-lived, though. Just afterward, TU striker Stephanie Aitken received a yellow card. Hurricane winds did not always blow the right way. With about ten minutes remaining in the first half, a major push by the Golden Eagles put TU goalie Hayley Harryman under fire. Harryman dived
for a successful block, but moments later a teammate collided with her. With TU’s defense in confusion, the ball found its way into the goal. The Hurricane blew the wrong way— TU had scored an own-goal. The closest Golden Eagle was five yards away. The Hurricane got a chance when it was awarded a corner kick with 16 seconds left on the clock but was foiled in its attempts to take advantage of the opportunity. The first half featured excellent footwork and tactics from the Hurricane, especially from Handley and midfielder Bradi Hinch. Erb also delivered a superb performance, foiling numerous attempts on goal. By the end of the first half, the Hurricane had scored one goal for itself and one for the Eagles. TU made four shots on goal, committed seven fouls and received one yellow card. The Golden Eagles made one shot on goal, which was blocked by Harryman. They committed five fouls. The second half brought renewed ferocity from both sides. A more finely tuned attack strategy by TU minimized ORU’s opportunities to strike. The Eagles soon found themselves playing a defensive game, and efforts to rescue their offense mounted quickly. ORU midfielder Ashley Martin was shown a yellow card approximately 17 minutes into the second half. Martin received another yellow card seven minutes before the end of the second half and was ejected from the game. Throughout the second half, the Hurricane offensive steadily in-
creased the pressure on the Golden Eagles, but ORU’s defense held firm. Shots on goal and opportunities for shots were consistently intercepted, blocked or saved. As the game continued, both sides missed great opportunities to score. Renewed efforts by the Hurricane to break the tie were met with stiff resistance. The Eagles’ tight-knit defense held against TU’s furious efforts. No one scored in the second half. TU took 15 shots, six of which were saved by Erb, the remainder of which were blocked by defenders. Harryman and her defenders stopped two shots by the Golden Eagles. ORU committed seven fouls in the second half, and TU committed four. As the game stretched through two overtime sessions, concerted efforts by both teams failed to produce results. In the first overtime, a handful of fouls on the Hurricane and a yellow card for Jordan O’Brien certainly did not help. As coaches rotated players, the Golden Eagles made several attempts on goal but without success. Despite TU’s four shots and ORU’s one, no goals were scored in overtime. The Golden Hurricane and the Golden Eagles ended the game tied 1–1. Both sides played well, with superb performances by TU’s O’Brien, Handley and Hinch, and by ORU’s Erb. Official attendance was 535, with many from the TU community present. TU appears poised for a good season in women’s soccer, with five wins so far, two losses, and one tie.
Split men’s soccer results TU lost a challenging game against the UC Davis Aggies followed by a victory against Oakland at the SMU Classic. Victoria McGouran Staff Writer
The Golden Hurricane men’s soccer team dropped a 2–1 decision to the University of California-Davis Aggies on Friday night at the SMU Classic in Dallas. TU fell to 3–3 on the season, while the Aggies moved to 2–1–4 overall. “UC Davis played well and we just didn’t get enough good performances today,” Head Coach Tom McIntosh said. “We created enough chances, and their goalkeeper made a big save, but we were sloppy in our passes today. We got punished for our mistakes and we have to learn from them.” Ryan Gross scored both of UC Davis’ goals, including one in the 18th minute and one in the 59th minute to give the Aggies a two-goal cushion. Cristian Mata brought TU within one goal in the 67th minute as he punched in
a corner kick taken by his brother, Omar Mata. Tulsa had a 15–11 advantage in shots, including an 8–5 lead in shots on goal, but could not get a second goal. Abe Matamoros and Cristian Mata each had three shots in the contest, while Omar Mata, Tony Rocha and Quinn Starker all had two attempts. Mark Pais logged all 90 minutes in goal and picked up three saves. The loss, although disappointing, does not detract from the excellent season that the men’s soccer team has had so far. Even though the Hurricane has had a few losses, the team has exhibited cohesion and has acquired numerous accolades. Tulsa freshman Bryce Follensbee was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week, and Omar Mata was tabbed to both the TDS Top 100 and TDS C-USA Top 20 lists, as announced by the same publication. Follensbee, a forward from Orlando, Fla., scored two goals in his first collegiate contest as he attempted a team-leading eight shots against the University of Missouri-
Kansas City. Follensbee’s first goal came in the 79th minute as he went oneon-one with the keeper and scored from the right side, while his second goal was scored in the 87th minute off a forward pass from classmate Bradley Bourgeois. Follensbee was also selected as C-USA Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 4. A junior midfielder from Tulsa, Omar Mata was ranked 27th nationally and second in the league in the early TDS lists. Mata has started in 37 of 39 career contests, attempted 73 shots, scored seven goals and seven assists for 21 points, and was a 2011 All-C-USA second team performer. He was also named to the TDS C-USA Top-20 list as a sophomore and the TDS Top-100 Freshmen list in 2010. TU finished out the SMU Classic with a 7-5 victory over Oakland, including a hat trick by Akeil Barrett, and goals made by five players. They will return to action on Friday, Sept. 21 as they face off against The University of South Carolina in Hurricane Stadium at 7 p.m.
Austin Jorski / Collegian
Midfielder Camille Pelley prepares to take action as ORU and the Hurricane scramble for the ball.
Past America’s pastime
Teams’ ability to “buy” exorbitant wins has contributed to the decline in baseball’s popularity in America since the 1960s. Sam Morton Student Writer
Do you ever feel like baseball is just a holdover for more interesting sports? Do you ever feel like baseball is simply there to provide Sports Center with “top ten” fodder during the long summer months? You are not alone. Let’s kick off things with some numbers: as of Sept. 9, the Baltimore Orioles are one game back of the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Yankees, however, carry a heavy team payroll of $196 million, while the Orioles’ payroll comes in a comparatively paltry $80.8 million, good for 18th in the league. It is common knowledge that the New York Steinbrenners throw around the cash, but let us look into the numbers. Nearly $196 million has bought the Yankees 79 wins. That boils down to about $2.5 million per win thus far. Meanwhile the Orioles, at 78 wins, are on track for a much more reasonable budget, about $1.0 million per win. Then, in the AL West, there are the hyper-efficient, moneyball-ing Oakland A’s who are sitting at a downright affordable $630,000 per win. This begs the question: Why doesn’t the MLB have revenue sharing between teams? In the NFL, broadcast deals, ticket revenues and merchandise revenues are split nearly equally between teams. It is for this reason that small market teams like
the Green Bay Packers have the opportunity to thrive. Revenue sharing provides great parity to the league. The reasons teams win in the NFL include talent of players, front-office consistency and good coaching. These factors are undoubtedly important in the MLB, but an additional, unsportsmanlike factor that separates the good teams from the bad teams in baseball is money, money, money. Baseball has been losing popularity steadily for a long time now. In the 1920s through the 1960s, baseball players were national icons. Joe DiMaggio was the consummate American, even though he was of Italian descent. The country was behind him when he was amidst his legendary 56 game hit streak and the country was behind him when he left baseball to fight in World War II. Anyone who has ever seen The Sandlot knows the importance of the Great Bambino. In the 1980s it was common for a World Series game to capture 30 percent of national viewership. A World Series game has not been watched by even 15 percent of national households since the Red Sox broke their storied curse in 2004. This immense downturn in the popularity and importance of baseball is because the league is viewed as more unfair now than it was in an era when the Black Sox scandal—the fixing of an entire World Series—was fresh in the public’s mind. In the NFL franchises have been successful for long periods of time—the 49ers, the Cowboys, the Steelers and most recently the Patriots come to mind—but there has never been a franchise that has always been good like the Yankees. This is the true reason that football has replaced baseball as America’s favorite pastime.
Losses at the Hurricane Classic leave TU undaunted Despite a strong showing by star Tyler Henderson and many other players, TU women’s volleyball loses all three games and nine sets at the Hurricane Classic. Helen Patterson Staff Writer
Ryan Martinez / Collegian
Tyler Henderson sticks a kill in the game against Kansas in the Golden Hurricane Classic. The University of Tulsa played well despite an 0–3 result for the weekend.
The Golden Hurricane Classic took place Thursday through Saturday. It was hosted by TU at the Reynolds Center, and pitted Tulsa against three top-20 teams: No. 19-ranked Kansas State, No. 20-ranked Dayton and No. 10-ranked Minnesota. Tulsa has some promising players, including star senior outside hitter Tyler Henderson. In the NCAA, she is second in points per second with 6.00, and first in kills per set with 5.50. Other players who showed well during the tournament include junior outside hitter Kellie Culbertson, senior outside hitter Diana Silva, senior defensive specialist/
libero Jessica Adams and two sisters--sophomore Bailey and senior Jordan Clampitt, both setters. There are also some impressive upcoming freshmen, including middle blocker Ashley Hooper and outside hitter Maura McGivern. The tournament pitted Tulsa against Kansas State on Thursday, Dayton on Friday and Minnesota on Saturday. Tulsa fell in all three games, but not without a fight. The Tournament opened on Thursday with Tulsa losing 3–0 (19–25, 22–25, 18–25) to Kansas. Despite the loss, it was an excellent game for many of the players, especially Henderson, who made a career high 19 digs and took 18 kills. Culbertson racked up 11 digs and 11 kills for her sixth straight double-double, and Jordan Clampitt added 29 assists and eight digs. On Friday, Tulsa faced Dayton for another 3–0 (19–25, 17–25, 18–25) loss. Jordan Clampitt took 15 assists and Bailey Clampitt took 12. Ashley Hooper had two blocks and six kills, and Culbertson had seven kills.
The last day pitted Tulsa against Minnesota for a third 3–0 (22–25, 17–25, 19–25) loss. Culbertson scored her second double-double, hitting 11 kills and 11 digs. The Clampitt sisters had another excellent game, with 15 and 13 assists, respectively. Silva and Adams came away with 13 and 11 digs. McGivern’s first collegiate start saw her take eight kills on 16 attempts, while Hooper took seven kills and two blocks. Head Coach Steven McRoberts said he is not discouraged by the outcome. He commented, “I thought it was our best team effort of the season.” The Golden Hurricane Classic was the start of a series of home games as Tulsa faces off against three conference foes. Students are encouraged to come support the team as Tulsa starts against SMU Sept. 19 at 7 p.m., followed by a match against Marshall on Friday, Sept. 21st at 7 p.m., and another against East Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m.
NEWS
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
THE COLLEGIAN : 4
SA Elections turnout rises almost 600 percent Will Boogert Student Writer
In comparison to last semesters election cycle, in which two percent of the student body voted, this semester shows signs of student involvement. Student Association elections saw a more than fivefold increase in voter turnout this semester. The number jumped from 88 voters to 516 voters, meaning that nearly 13 percent of all enrolled students, including graduate and law students, voted in the fall elections. According to Michael Mancini, Executive Director of Elections and Policy for SA, the implementation of polling booths is “the number one reason” that more students voted. SA placed the booths in both Allen Chapman Activity Center and the Dining Center to increase the visibility of polling places, and the effect was instantly noticeable. “Turnout this year was comparable to the best set of elections we’ve ever had,” Mancini said. Mancini decided to use them because they injected liveliness into a process that had been faltering in recent years; the election cycle in the spring brought a disappointing 88 total voters to the polls. This was less than two percent of
the student body, far less than the 10-percent turnout SA would have needed to ratify amendments on the ballot. So Mancini and other members of the Cabinet, including Vice President Natalie Stompoly, were pleased with the numbers they saw for the fall elections. “I’m really excited about the election process and results,” said Stompoly. “We had a lot of great candidates, and many of them had strong, wide-spread campaigns which I think had a major role in the increased voter turnout.” One such candidate is freshman Grace Doyle, who won an at-large seat with 245 votes, the most for any of the candidates up for election. Doyle, like many other candidates, advertised in high-traffic areas of campus with eye-catching posters and signs, and Mancini said she likely had the largest advertising presence on campus. “She’s very excited,” he said. Mancini said that a candidate with good publicity and high name recognition stands a good chance of easing the discomfort of voters at the booths: “You see a lot of people who (say), ‘I don’t know if I want to vote because I’ve never heard of any of the candidates.’ ” Name recognition can boost some candidates’ numbers, Mancini said, “because at least (the voters will) see, okay...this is someone who clearly wants to be a senator. That should get a few
Beate Hall / Collegian
Voting booths set up in ACAC and outside of the Pat Case Dining Center have been credited by election management staff for a large portion of the dramatic rise in voter turnout in this semester SA Senate election cycle.
points in your book.” But name recognition was not the primary focus of other newly elected senators such as Will Nunes, an upperclassman who transferred to TU this semester. Nunes’ campaign was centered on issues facing commuter students. A commuter himself, he ran to support a proposal, known as “Couches for Commuters,” that calls for the establishment
of “a centrally-located commuter lounge furnished with lockers.” The bill’s wording said that the lounge “could greatly improve the lives of commuting students by providing them with a 'home away from home.'" Mancini described the inconvenience of being a commuter without a central place to relax. “I’ve seen commuters walk around with suitcases full of books,” he said.
Mancini hopes that the increase in voter turnout will continue, and that one day voters will choose between candidates based on platforms rather than popularity. “It’s supposed to be a two-way street,” he says. “It’s supposed to be senators saying, ‘we want to do this’ and then the students, through voting, approving that mission.” Until then, he says, “(Voting) is the start of getting involved.”
SA Senate Election Results Last week’s SA Senate elections showed an almost 600 percent increase in voter turnout over last semester’s poorly attended elections. Though most seats were uncontested, several would-be senators did not win office, and one incumbent was voted out. The results follow. Representing:
Name:
Campus-at-Large Residence Halls Apartments Commuters Arts and Sciences Engineering and Natural Sciences Collins College of Business: Graduate School College of Law
Grace Doyle Preslie Watkins Whitney House Meghana Rao Colin Elkin Ryne Carman Will Nunes Hoguen Apperson Conner Wurth Kyle Radtke Baback Akbari Jackson McClaren
Beate Hall / Collegian
Top row from left to right: Grace Doyle, at-large; Conner Wurth, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences; Hoguen Apperson, College of Arts and Sciences. Bottom Row from left to right: Kyle Radtke, Collins College of Business; Meghana Rao, residence halls; Will Nunes, commuters.
On-campus political groups reach out to student body Cara Dublin Student Writer
Presence of the Young Democrats and Young Republicans may give the lie to claims of wide-spread student apathy. Imagine yourself as a politically opinionated freshman. You have long since run out of space in which to display your bumper sticker collection. No one dares to mention “the election” around you for fear that you will keep them up until midnight explaining the vastly superior merits of your party. For years, such students have had no prominent organizations of like-minded politically active students. TU’s campus is home to both the Young Republicans and the Young Democrats. Young Republicans is a new organization, founded on campus this spring. The best way to contact them is to “like” their Facebook page, but they can also be seen on TU’s OrgSpace website, orgs.utulsa.edu/tuorgspace. Currently, the group has a regular attendance of about 10 members, though they expect this number to grow “substantially.” “We are still trying to form our niche. We have two prospective
speakers that we will bring in over a luncheon soon.” Vice President Caleb Lareau said. The group is also working to network with the Tulsa County Republican Party and establish themselves in the community. The Young Democrats have been on campus for several years now. Interested students may reach them through the SA website or through the citywide Young Democrats of Tulsa. They will be posting flyers about their first bimonthly meetings, which will begin within the next two weeks. Kelsey Birkes says that the group intends to sponsor “a debate on campus between two congressional candidates” soon, and to “have some more voter registration events, and hopefully help cosponsor a ‘rock the vote’ week.” The Young Democrats’ table at the Student Association activities fair in August drew an enthusiastic crowd, so the group expects to pick up momentum this year. At the fair, the Democrats passed out literature and Barack Obama bumper stickers, and campaigned for John Olson, an Oklahoma Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. The Young Republicans described themselves as serving broad conservative interests, while the Young Democrats said they believe that terms like “liberal” or “conservative” can impede bipartisanship. Birkes therefore claims to
support authentically “democratic ideals,” with a lowercase “d.” Asked about the majority political situation on campus, Birkes of the Young Democrats said that student attitudes swing primarily from conservative to apathetic, but note that they are backed by some “passionate Democrats” and that they “will be visible and active during this election season,” emphasizing the importance of student political participation. Meanwhile, the Young Republicans find that the student population is more prevalently liberal, like most other college campuses and private liberal-arts schools, and they hope to “challenge students to reconsider this general mentality” and to develop a mature political stance. Both organizations expressed dissatisfaction with their lack of visibility on campus. Each eagerly awaits their first formal meetings and big events this year, and both expect that there are many lurking political masterminds on campus who have yet to join the relevant party organization. Ultimately, all of this still begs the question of whether the political masterminds--or voters, volunteers or mildly politically curious-will actually extricate themselves from their textbooks long enough to support either party’s student incarnation.
To the TU community, The dismissal of President Orsak came as a shock to the student body of TU. While we only had a short time to get to know him, Orsak was very popular among the students, and many of us were eagerly looking forward to the changes that were to take place under his presidency. Because of this, the loss of Orsak as our president is very saddening, and the silence from the university on the matter has exacerbated the situation. While we understand that discretion must be used when releasing details on sensitive situations like this and that there may be legal concerns involved, refusing to give us any information whatsoever about the dismissal has added a sense of anger to the loss. This is our university and we, as the students, deserve to be given at least the basic information regarding a situation as major as the dismissal of our president. Leaving us with vague emails and refusing to discuss the topic has opened the door for wild speculation and has unfortunately brought out the worst form of rumor-mongering in the student body. We are disappointed with the predatory speculations that have spread throughout the student body and want to remind our fellow students that these rumors do not become us. We deeply appreciate the hard
work of the members of the board of trustees, but when it comes to deciding who will lead our university we should be included in the decision in some fashion, or, at the very least, kept up to date. The board of trustees has virtually no contact with the student body and this leaves us feeling largely uninvolved in the governance of our university. Withholding all information on the Orsak decision has made communication between the student body and the board seem conspicuously absent, further estranging us from the board, and damaging our impression of it. If revealing further details would open the door to litigation, that should be said openly. If the university is legally obligated to remain silent, that should be said openly as well. As things stand, with next to nothing revealed, we feel alienated and wary concerning the decisions of the board. We hope the board will change its policy of silence by giving us at least the basic reasons for the dismissal of our president, or specific reasons that it cannot do so, and will attempt to involve the student body in future decisions regarding our university. J.Christopher Proctor Managing Editor Kyle Walker News Editor
NEWS
THE COLLEGIAN : 5
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
TU ranked 83rd in U.S. Victoria McGouran Staff Writer
Despite falling several places in the rankings, TU’s administration remains confident that the university can compete with the top schools in the country, cite examples of success. In the newest set of national college rankings by the magazine U.S. News & World Report, The University of Tulsa was named the 83rd best national university, and was listed once again as one of the top 50 private universities in America. This marks the 10th consecutive year that TU has been listed in the top 100 national universities, the only Oklahoma university to be included in the top 100. The publication's rankings, which were released on Sept. 12, also put TU 48th among the nation's private doctoral universities.
In the 2012 rankings by the same publication, TU was in a seven-way tie for the 75th position. This year, TU has dropped to a sixway tie for the 83rd. TU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Roger Blais said that “the drop was virtually insignificant.” In a statement released on TU’s website, the administration was quick to reassure students that despite the slight decline, “TU remains committed to the standards that have solidified its standing in the top 100: academic quality of its student body, recruitment of top faculty, and revitalization and expansion of its physical campus.” Cited examples of the university’s progress include a fundraising campaign last year that gathered more than $698 million, which allowed TU to add $119 million in scholarship endowments and 1,182 new awards. “The fundraising also led to $87 million in faculty endowments and 47 new endowed positions,” the statement read.
In addition to numerous campus improvements and the largest incoming freshman class in TU history, TU has partnered with University of Oklahoma to build a medical school in Tulsa. As well as pointing out campus improvements, TU’s administration emphasized the university’s small average class size, which is one of the variables considered in national rankings. Less than three percent of TU's classes contain 50 or more students, which places TU above all but six other universities in the top 100. “The University of Tulsa continues to strive to become a top 100 university. Every day, TU seeks ways to become a better institution to our students, our faculty, our community and our research and industry partners," Blais said. "TU consistently delivers an extraordinary educational experience for academically talented students in the most cost-effective way possible."
Eye on the world:
Magdalena Sudibjo Student Writer
Africa
SOMALIA Dark-horse candidate and university professor Hassan Sheikh won the Somalian presidency over incumbent Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in the recent elections.
Sept. 05 12:35 a.m. Officers were dispatched to a fire alarm in a dorm room. The officers made contact with the residents of the room and the students stated they had burnt some food prior to officers arrival. There was no smoke or fire and the fire department was cancelled. 9:15 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the plaza on the east side of McFarlin for a student that was ill. EMSA was dispatched but did not transport the student. The student was having allegory (sic) problems and stated they would go to Alexander Health.
Though a general voting would have been much too risky in the war-torn nation and with widespread rumors of corruption, the parliament-run election was nevertheless a step in a more democratic direction. Since 1969, Somalian leaders have tended to use militant power rather than cooperation to gain authority.
Asia
female was screaming rape. Officers detained the male suspect and the victim. During the investigation officers were told that the female was a working girl and was upset about the price of a date. The victim stated she yelled rape because she wanted the male client to leave her alone. Both were non-students and were banned from the campus. Both parties were escorted off campus by security officers. The male suspect was a brother of a student.
Officers were dispatched to Helmerich Hall in reference to a stolen Acer Note book. Officers spoke to the staff member who stated someone had removed his note book from his desk. Officers are looking at the video’s in hopes of identifying suspect(s).
4:25 p.m. Officers were dispatched to Keplinger Hall for an ill student. Officers made contact with the ill student and EMSA was called. The female student was transported to a local hospital. 10:00 p.m.
Sept. 06
Officers investigated the theft of a Mac Book from his backpack. The owner had no information on the suspect(s). Officers are still investigating this theft.
1:00 p.m.
11:40 p.m.
Officers were on bike patrol and were flagged down at MLIB for a missing cell phone. The student stated his phone was missing from the computer lab. Officers reviewed the video and were not able to see a suspect remove the phone.
Officers were called for underage drinking-student misconduct at Fisher West. Officers made contact with the RA who had contacted security. Officers went to a room and made contact with four students who were intoxicated and a case of beer in their room
1:15 p.m. Officers were dispatched to a disturbance in the parking lot of Mayo Village. A student stated a
Sept. 07 11:21 a.m.
INDONESIA Strapped with a suicide bomber belt, Muhammad Toriq turned himself over to the police after deciding not to go through with the terrorist act. Indonesia’s anti-terror chief Ansyaad Mbai states that the incident
Sept. 08 10:15 a.m. Officers were dispatched to Chapman Commons for an injured visitor to campus. The visitor sat down in a metal folding chair. The chair broke and the visitor fell and cut his hand. The injured visitor refused to be taken to the hospital and refused medical attention by EMSA. 8:27 p.m. Officers were dispatched to the corner of 4th & College for an intoxicated person. Officers made contact with an intoxicated student. The student became hostile and arrrgumentive (sic). The suspect was arrested and after he was cuffed he spat on a TPD officer. The subject was transported to jail by TPD. He was charged with Assault by Bodily Fluids and Public Intoxication.
president Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Otherwise, You might be reading this letter hoping that I’ll give you the scoop on President Orsak’s termination, but I’m afraid I have nothing to add to the statements that Dr. Orsak and the Board of Trustees have already released. I have no special knowledge, and without knowing the details of what happened, it would be foolish to air an opinion or make any judgments. On a personal level, I liked Dr. Orsak and I wish the absolute best for him and his family in this difficult time. And I am confident that the TU community will persevere through this disappointment as we pursue wisdom, faith, and service. I want to publicly honor Michael Mancini and Steven Harsha, the Executive and Associate Directors of Elections & Policy, for a job well done in running and promoting last week’s Senate elections. With a turnout over six times
was just another example of the rapidly growing radicalism in the country. Radical groups have purportedly been infiltrating schools, mosques, and universities to spread hate messages and incite violence. The police are having a hard time gaining the necessary support from religious leaders, however, especially since the authoritarian regime that had extremely restricted religious preachers ended only 12 years ago.
Europe UNITED KINGDOM A British man stepped down from jury duty last Tuesday after claiming to be homophobic and racist but now faces prosecution for failing to serve jury duty. “I strongly believe that it would be a serious injustice to the legal system to select me for jury service,” the man stated. A British citizen who fails to carry out his civil duty as a juror may face jail time or receive a fine.
CHINA
SPAIN
Vice President Xi Jinpin’s nearly two weeks long disappearance from the public has sparked wild speculation all over the internet. Xi has cancelled several meetings with foreign dignitaries, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Singapore prime minister, but the government is still tight-lipped about his whereabouts. Online rumors ranged from health reasons to a staged coup d’état. Tension is particularly high as Xi is expected to take the presidency very soon.
Nearly a million Catalans demanded independence from Spain in the streets of Barcelona earlier last week. Like the rest of the country, Catalonia has been hard hit with the government’s austerity measures and now confronts a 25 percent unemployment rate. A survey taken in July declared that 51 percent of Catalans wished to secede from Spain. In response to the demonstration, Spain’s prime minister insisted that Catalonia’s fiscal autonomy will have little effect on the region’s severe economic crisis.
fled on foot and then in a vehicle. TPD took a report the suspect was a non- student and officers were advised by TPD to arrest the subject if located within 72 hours.
dents were robbed at gun-point in the Kendall-Whittier Park. The three stated they were walking around in the park when a grey late model Dodge truck pulled up and a male removed a pistol from his waist band and told the student to empty their pockets and run away. TPD was contacted and took a report. The investigation is ongoing. No students were injured.
9:30 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the Drill Building at North Campus for a water leak. Officers located the leak and workers from the Physical plant were called. There was water damage to the room.
Sept. 14
12:50 p.m.
2:40 p.m.
Officers were called by staff personal that four retired football jersey banners were missing from Thomas Plaza. The banners were in place in the stadium for the football season. Security is reviewing the video to identify the suspect(s).
Officers on patrol conducted a pedestrian check on a subject that did not look like a student. Upon contact the subject stated he was not a student and as the officer exited his patrol vehicle the suspect produced a hand gun from his waistband and tossed it under the patrol vehicle. Officers took the subject into custody and contacted TPD. The subject was arrested for possession of a firearm on school property and possession of a stolen hand gun.
Sept. 11 2:00 p.m. A female student came to security to report student misconduct. Officers took a report and then made contact with the possible suspect. The male student gave his side of the story. Sept. 12
Sept. 09
1:30 p.m.
4:00 a.m.
Officers on bike patrol observed new graffiti to the bleachers area, officers took pictures and a report.
Officers on patrol observed a male hit a female. Officers made contact with both parties. The victim had signs of assault. TPD was contacted. When TPD arrived the suspect
greater than the spring elections, these two guys and the SA officers who helped them work polling booths have a lot to be proud of. My congratulations to the winning Senators, and my thanks to all of you who took the time to vote. Our third home football game in a row is coming up this Saturday at seven o’clock! If you enjoyed the Charlie’s Chicken at the last SA tailgate and the free True Blue Neighbor shirts passed out at the game, you don’t want to miss this week’s game. We’ll have different food, different in-game giveaways, and a far more dangerous opponent than the last two. Fresno State walloped Colorado last week—but I think they’ll have a harder time with the Golden Hurricane. Get your blue on, grab some food, and scream yourself hoarse. I’ll see you there! Best, John Lepine SA President
10:30 p.m. Officers were flagged down on campus and stated the three stu-
Sept. 15 12:20 a.m. Security officers were called to Dietler Commons area where a student had witnessed a male trying to kick over the small light posts around the sidewalks. Officers checked the area and no suspect(s) were located. The suspect was wearing a fraternity shirt. The investigation is ongoing. The Collegian does not produce or edit the Campus Crime Watch, except for clarity and brevity
variety
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
THE COLLEGIAN : 6
Clapton, paramount musician Studio 54: A weekly review of all things retro. Elliot Bauman Student Writer
Ryan Martinez / Collegian
La Madeleine is home to many delicious entrees inspired by the cuisine of France. Featured above is tomato basil soup, chicken friand with mushroom sauce, a vanilla almond berry tart and a cafe latte. All dishes are elegantly presented in a cozy cafe environment.
The 1960s were an evolutionary time for rock ‘n’ roll in the United Kingdom and the US, and, as a result, that decade would produce some of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century. Eric Clapton was one such player to come out of 1960s London. At a mere 18 years old in 1963, Clapton was already playing with the Yardbirds, an old blues-rock band responsible for jump-starting the careers of many notable guitarists, including Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. The Yardbirds were among the first groups to significantly draw on the American Chicago blues, a genre that at the time, unfortunately due to racial issues, was not as popular among non-black audiences. While it took the success of the early Rolling Stones to truly popularize the blues, Clapton and the Yardbirds were certainly among the first white rock ‘n’ roll groups to take influence from so-called “black music.” Clapton had a short career with the Yardbirds, however. He left the band in 1965 and formed Cream, the group for which he is primarily known. Along with Clapton, Cream featured Ginger Baker on the drums and Jack Bruce on electric bass and vocals. At the time of Cream’s formation, Clapton was one of the top blues guitarists in the United Kingdom, and this position boosted the early success of Cream. In 1966,
French cuisine enchants Photo courtesy Reaction Records
Widely considered Cream’s best album, “Disraeli Gears” contains the band’s most notable single, “Sunshine of Your Love.” The song is significant for its distinctive guitar riffs, tone and tempo, ultimately earning the album a Platinum certification.
the band released its debut album, “Fresh Cream,” a combination of blues covers, such as “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” and band originals. The album was a success, but failed to top any charts. After a quick tour, Clapton and Cream once again hit the studio to work on a follow-up to “Fresh Cream.” The product of their work, “Disraeli Gears,” is widely considered Cream’s best album. In contrast to Clapton’s earlier work, “Disraeli Gears” strayed significantly from the true blues genre, and was more of a psychedelic and blues-rock album. It did, however, contain Cream’s greatest single hit, “Sunshine of Your Love.” The song is notable for its distinctive guitar riff and tone, and for its tempo, supposedly based on an African rhythm. “Disraeli Gears” would ultimately receive Platinum certification, and be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The success of “Disraeli Gears” was followed by “Wheels of Fire,” Cream’s last significant album. It was more of a return to Cream’s bluesy roots than “Gears,” but was ultimately still a rock album. A cover of the classic Robert Johnson blues song “Crossroads” was the top track on the album, and the
track showcases some truly excellent guitar work by Clapton. Cream would eventually break up in 1968, following a substandard album and tour. After Cream, Clapton went on to have a short run with a new band, Derek and the Dominos. Duane Allman, another extremely accomplished guitarist, was also in with that blues rock super-group. After a brief time with Derek and the Dominos, Clapton went on to launch a solo career which he continue to this day. Throughout his lifetime, Clapton has risen to become one of the most important guitarists of all time. As a result, he boasts quite a list of accolades. He is the only guitarist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times. A variety of professional publications rank Clapton as one of the top guitarists of all time, and he was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1994 for services to music. Clapton’s career is certainly worthy of these titles. His work with the blues, blues rock, psychedelic rock and classic rock ‘n’ roll make Clapton a musician of paramount importance, and one that, hopefully, will continue to be heard for a long time.
Located not far from campus, La Madeleine is the perfect place to chat with friends, study or simply enjoy a relaxing meal. Ryan Martinez Student Writer
Clanking the worn-out chain of an infamous University of Tulsa yellow bicycle up and down inclined sidewalks and vacant streets, I pedaled my eco-friendly transportation towards an advertised café, The Phoenix. However, when I arrived, I saw through the establishment’s windows a sign announcing renovations and promising an “opening in summer.” In my hunger and desire for coffee I found myself consulting my iPhone for a nearby café. Anything. Okay, maybe not anything, but at least a decent replacement. Considering proximity, Cherry Street’s options seemed an obvious choice. Finally, after much searching, I chose one place to rest from my strenuous ride: La Madeleine Country French Café. Located at 1523 East 15th St., La Madeleine is actually part of a chain of restaurants. Do not let that “mainstream” label lead you to an overly hasty rejection of this gem.
The cost for an entrée ranges from $5–10. Basic, yet masterful soups—iconic of France—accompany the numerous sandwich, salad and pasta options. Moreover, the restaurant’s pastry case beckons to the inner dessert connoisseur. In other words, be prepared for the $2–5 temptations. Thankfully, La Madeleine offers both regular and miniature versions of classic European sweets—such as tiramisu, napoleon and assorted tarts—of which I had a vanilla almond berry piece of nirvana. Patrons should not skip on the scant coffee combinations either, which are artfully presented in a blue mug on a matching saucer, costing only around $3. I sampled their café latte, and I would pay for it again. See those amazing loaves of bread? The stereotypical baguette? They are only $2–5. Go ahead and take some back to the apartment. Be certain to look around for the complimentary slivers of bread and jam—perhaps a frugal companion tagged along. Wanting to sit down for a nice chat with a friend or group? Take the opportunity. Voices overpower the French tunes in the background, but not in a raucous manner. The environment is extremely cozy, with both chandeliers and a fireplace centered in the dining area. Au revoir, my little chocolate croissant.
By Helen Patterson Anna Bennett Student Writer
Greeting from beautiful Dublin, Ireland! For those of you who do not know me, my name is Anna Bennett, and I am studying theater this semester at the Gaiety School of Acting. A few fun facts about Dublin: • The city was originally a Viking settlement. • The population is very young: 55 percent of residents are under 25. • While English is primarily spoken, the traditional language, Irish, is still taught in schools and is printed on signs with English equivalents. • The Brazen Head is Dublin’s oldest pub; it has been operating since the year 1198. I got off the plane last week, lonely and jet-lagged. Naturally, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, and my frustrations are foremost in my mind. I am by no means discouraging study abroad; I can already tell it is going to be life-altering, wonderful semester. There are, however, a few things I wish I had been thinking about from the get-go: Money – I cannot say enough good things about The University of Tulsa’s financial support of study abroad. They are great about making sure you do not pay
any more for a semester abroad than you would for a semester at home. That being said, study abroad is a pretty major financial undertaking with a lot of expenses you do not think about: plane tickets, extra travel costs, passports, visas, cell phones, food, drink, proper clothing and luggage … the list goes on. The experience, I’m sure will be worth more than its weight in gold, but it is definitely something you need to plan and save for well in advance. At home, you can live cheaply; when you are new in a strange place, you must spend money or suffer peril, discomfort and deportation. Company – Are you an extremely social person who loves meeting new people? Or are you more adventurous when you have a friend along? While it would not have affected my decision, your comfort with new people is something to consider. I’m the only TU student with Institute for the International Education of Students in Dublin, but there are a good number of students here who all go to school together and know each other. This had led me to wonder if perhaps their transition will be a little easier. You too should consider if you would be more comfortable being with other TU students. And do not forget the people you are leaving behind when you are making
your grand plans; a year and a half abroad looks great on paper, but not everyone is emotionally ready for that. I’m definitely not. Do not let your love of the familiar drown out your desire for the new, however. Just know yourself and make a conscious decision. Health – Be prepared; it is scary to seek medical assistance in a foreign country, even an Englishspeaking one. It is something for which you cannot plan, unless you have got a pre-existing condition (in which case, you might consider the easy availability of necessary services in your desired locations, if only for peace of mind). Luckily, well-established programs have great insurance coverage for their students. It is just something to think about; most places will not have a friendly, free clinic like the Alexander Health Center. All that being said, I am already beyond grateful to be here. The city is wonderful. I have met so many interesting people. Despite being small for a major city (about 1.5 million in the metro area), Dublin has traditionally been—and continues to be—a major influential hub of literature and theater. Have I come to the right place or what? You can follow my adventures at: travelsizedwanderer.blogspot.com
Perfectly Imperfect Politics 1. Ever wonder where the political “animals” used by the Republican and Democratic parties came from? They were both created by Thomas Nash for Harper’s Weekly. 2. Register to vote. If you are not a part of the democratic process, you have no right to complain when candidates you did not choose pass laws you do not like. Well, you can complain. But do not expect any sympathy. 3. Election Day is Nov. 6. Be prepared for the smugness of one party and angry fistshaking of the other. The strong emotions will eventually subside over the next four years. 4. The race for presidency is generally straight forward. We have a bipartisan system. But that does not mean you cannot vote for someone else. Third-party candidates include Jill Stein of the Green Party and Gary Johnson, a Libertarian. 5. If you cannot stand any of the candidates, or you are feeling kind of snarky, write in your own option for president. Popular write-ins include Donald Duck and God.
6. Newsflash: there is no perfect candidate! You are going to disagree with everyone about something. Especially if that person is a politician. Identify several key issues on which you are unwilling to compromise, and side with the party that will best represent those interests. 7. Remember that everyone thinks differently. It is one of the wonderful things about being human. Do not lose friends over political differences. You will regret it later. 8. Putting up signs for your favorite candidates is great. Just make sure you put them up on your own property. Please, no flashing lights. It is tacky. 9. Politics are not only at the national level. Local elections can have a much greater impact on your day-to-day life. So stay informed, lest you find your homeowner’s association becoming mobilized… 10. You had better have voted in the SA elections for TU. Otherwise, The Collegian might run another article about student apathy. But, I guess that the apathetic are not reading this anyway.
opinion
THE COLLEGIAN : 7
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
Should Chick-fil-A be here to stay: yea or nay While Chick-fil-A’s continued presence on campus is distressing to some, whether one eats there should be a personal matter. TU should not have to make that decision for its students, especially as there are better ways to show support for the gay community.
Witt Womack
Student Writer
Evidently, there is some talk going around TU of ridding ourselves of Chick-fil-A. Of course, such a proposition is directly connected to the firestorm that erupted this summer surrounding Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy’s statements about gay marriage and the revelations about company spending that came with it.
A during recent events, only one of which seems valid. The first concerns itself with the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, an event that started out of anticipation of an LGBT protest. As it was not instigated by Chick-fil-A, but by conservative politicians, the event should not be considered for our purposes. The second objection to Chickfil-A stems from Dan Cathy’s statements in The Baptist Press and on “The Ken Coleman Show” concerning his support of the “biblical definition of the family unit.” While his comments in the interviews were certainly condemning of the idea of same-sex marriage, there were no slurs, no hate for gays as individuals, nothing that, when interpreted frankly, is worse than disagreeable to detractors. In a word, Cathy stated his opinion, which should not be considered a crime. A civil rights movement using its momentum to incite punitive measures against a detracting view solely on the grounds that it is different, even “intolerant,” would seem itself a zero-tolerance
“A university should decide which food establishments stay based on quality of food” While I was under the impression that the debacle had blown over, it seems that some of our students have a longer attention span than the national media, and myself, to be honest, which is actually quite refreshing. Therefore, I have looked into the matter a second time. If the question is indeed whether or not we definitively expel nuggets and waffle fries from TU, we need to have a more complete picture than mere assertions that Chick-fil-A is an “anti-gay” establishment. The task at hand, then, is to determine precisely Chick-fil-A’s transgressions and whether these are sufficient to warrant the restaurant’s removal from campus on moral grounds. As it stands, I have seen three main complaints against Chick-fil-
To the Editor: In 2010, the Chick-fil-A corporation gave over $8 million to the WinShape Foundation, a charitable organization founded and funded by Chick-fil-A. One-fourth of these donations were given to organizations such as Exodus International, a ministry notorious for its practice of “ex-gay” reparative therapy, and the Family Research Council (FRC), whose homophobic actions earned them classification as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In recent months, these statistics rose to public attention after Chick-Fil-A C.O.O. Dan Cathy made inflammatory statements
stance and hypocritical. This is why Cathy’s personal views alone should not be the focus of the argument. What actually matters is how his views translate into money and action, and, as it were, this is where the third beef with chicken comes in. It turns out that part of Chickfil-A’s charitable donations go to the WinShape Foundation, which was founded by S. Truett Cathy, the father of both Chick-fil-A and its current president. Of the $26 million WinShape Foundation received in 2010, almost $2 million was given to an amalgam of groups that have been called “anti-gay,” but the level of actual anti-gay marriage activism varies among these groups. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which received the sec-
mately the larger issue at hand is the company’s concrete financial support for homophobic organizations such as Exodus International and the FRC which has real consequences for the health and safety of LGBTQ citizens. On a more fundamental level, groups like those supported by WinShape foster a culture of intolerance where homophobic bullying is accepted or even implicitly approved. The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an LGBTQ advocacy organization, has conducted surveys showing that 90% of LGBTQ youth experience physical or verbal harassment and that 74% of transgender students report sexual
“We believe that people have the right to know where their money goes once their chicken sandwich is purchased” outlining the company’s commitment to “the biblical definition of the family.” Subsequently, some citizens have chosen to boycott Chick-Fil-A. Many people have criticized these efforts, claiming that Cathy should be able to express his religious convictions without social censure. While we recognize Cathy’s right to free speech and to freedom of religion, his statements are but a small part of the company’s farther reaching opposition to LGBTQ rights. Ulti-
harassment at school. This issue cannot be ignored. While society is quick to condemn bullying in schools, many fail to recognize the connection between the institutional support and promotion of hateful organizations and the dayto-day harassment and bullying experienced by LGBTQ people. We believe that people have the right to know where their money goes once their chicken sandwich is purchased. It’s difficult to keep track of where every company’s
ond most among the “anti-gay” groups, has opposed gay-marriage legislation, but has not given any money. Yet, because some of the groups do give money to oppose gay marriage legislation, it stands that proponents of gay marriage might think twice about buying the original chicken sandwich. Such a stance seems reasonable indeed, but the political choices of the individual are not the same as those of a university. Plenty of corporations donate money to support every sort of political persuasion, and a university singling out Chick-fil-A for its donations to socially conservative groups would be unreasonable. A university does not accept or reject students based on their political leanings, but for their merit. Similarly, eating establishments should be chosen for their merit: food. Sodexo, the company which provides food service at TU, released the following statement in response to a similar ordeal at another university, “While we provide a variety of options, ultimately our customers decide for themselves which businesses they wish to support with their Dining Dollars.” If this is true, Tulsa doesn’t need to make a decision for its students. That decision is ours to make as individuals. The idea to get rid of Chick-filA is certainly well-intentioned, but there are many better options for supporters of gay rights on campus than to exile the establishment outright. If as a matter of principle a student doesn’t want to buy food from Chick-fil-A, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. To act according to principle is commendable in my opinion. But that decision does not need to be made for the entire population by removing Chick-fil-A from campus. A university should not decide which food establishments stay based on political or ideological leanings. Instead, a university should decide which food establishments stay based on quality of food; and by fast-food standards, Chick-fil-A is a step above similar chains.
profits end up, but this controversy is a rare opportunity for consumers to make an informed decision as this situation has been well-documented. Though everyone has the right to say what they want, believe what they want, and support what they want, the exercise of these rights comes with a responsibility to realize the consequences of these actions. Supporting Chick-fil-A means supporting organizations that contribute to a culture of discrimination where bullying, harassment, and the systematic devaluation of LGBTQ people is rampant. We believe that everyone has an opportunity to be an informed consumer. We believe that the University of Tulsa has the ability to take a stand against intolerance. We believe that though the task of addressing this intolerance is daunting, we are capable of turning that challenge into an opportunity for change. We have chosen to educate the community about the impact of Chick-fil-A’s corporate donations, and the harm they have caused for ourselves, our friends, and our campus community. Sincerely, The officers of Pride at TU: Zachary Harvat, president Chris Madaj, vice-president Leanna Duncan, treasurer Brian Hasse, secretary
Chick-fil-A’s presence on campus will come back to bite our students in the butt, due to the restaurant’s lagging reputation. It is irresponsible for TU to keep the chicken restaurant on campus, when its associations with TU and its students could be problematic.
Steven Buchele
Student Writer
The energy in the Chick-fil-A debate is fading, and it is only a matter of time before the Chik-fil-A Scandal of 2012 is completely forgotten. And after it is, the university should quietly remove Chick-fil-A from campus and replace it with something else.
powder keg laying about waiting to explode. I personally do not care one way or another about what Chik-fil-A supports. I eat what I want, and really if any of our money is going to “hate” organizations, by the time it gets there it has been filtered through so many other companies that it is not really our money anymore. However, I do care about my reputation. When I graduate, The University of Tulsa is going to be linked to my name and its reputation to mine. We all know how PR and reputation work: someone says something wrong and people pounce on it. Facts start getting bent and context starts getting dropped; and quickly the most important things are the adjectives used to describe the subject. Reputation is all about perspective and unfortunately, it is hard to change perspective with facts. My biggest problem with Chick-fil-A is not with what its CEO supports or abhors. It is with the idea that if the university ever
“The facts no longer matter. It seems the most powerful thing in the world right now is PR”
If it does not, I think the university runs the risk of putting its future graduates in a predicament. The facts no longer matter. It seems the most powerful thing in the world right now is PR, and the controversy over Chick-fil-A appears to prove it. Regardless of the actual facts, everyone seems to have had an opinion. The presence or absence of one restaurant on one campus is not enough to cause a great deal of damage to a reputation, but when a real PR firestorm comes through, Chik-fil-A is going to be another
comes under fire, the press will not care about the welcoming community of scholars that makes TU. Instead, they will use the perception that the university “supports a bigoted hateful organization.” That, no matter how untrue it actually is, is really a huge liability to the university and its graduates. I chose TU because I thought it had the best to offer me. I would rather not have all the good things come with an such a stupid risk to my own personal reputation.
Library has books and more To the Editor:
I greatly enjoyed the “Point/Counterpoint” exchange in the September 12 issue between Helen Patterson and Patrick Creedon regarding the role of the Internet and online information resources in student research. Both writers brought up great points and provided excellent examples of what can happen when one relies too heavily on the Internet for information. For academic research, the vast majority of what a student might find with a Google search is not as reliable, unbiased or authoritative as a college instructor would want to see used in a class assignment. The challenge with culling through so many websites and other resources online has always been separating the “wheat” from the proverbial chaff. That’s where libraries and librarians come in. That online journal which Ms. Patterson said she needed access to but thought she had to pay for? There’s a good chance that it was already available, through McFarlin Library’s electronic gateway, paid for by library funds. Mr. Creedon noted that he relied heavily on the PsycINFO database for classwork and writing papers in his field, and he is able to access that important resource, anytime/ anywhere, through McFarlin’s gateway when he is connected to the TU network.
The fact is that almost all of McFarlin Library’s journal and magazine resources (over 40,000 titles) are online now, rather in print. They are the same authoritative sources, but in digital format rather than bound paper that takes up hundreds of yards of shelf space. And it’s true, too, that there are books in the library, as Ms. Patterson suggest. Lots of them. Printed books and electronic books. And McFarlin’s professionallytrained librarians are here to help you find the right books, journals and other resources that you need for YOUR assignment. They also can show you how to use those critical thinking skills you’re honing in the classroom and apply them to evaluating the plethora of information sources you’ll find on the Internet and through the library catalog’s “TU Megasearch” platform. Check us out in the library or online at www.lib.utulsa.edu. There’s a lot more in the library than meets the eye. Sincerely, Adrian W. Alexander Dean of the Library
Opinion
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
THE COLLEGIAN : 8
New voter ID laws hinder democracy
While voter ID laws may sound reasonable they have the effect of disenfranchising a large segment of the population while combating a type of voter fraud that is virtually nonexistent.
J. Christopher Proctor
Student Writer
Throughout the 2012 campaign, a new issue has taken its place among the traditional electionyear talking points. With the Justice Department’s striking down of Texas’ 2011 voter identification law, voter ID legislation has become a polarizing issue and is likely to figure into the election. 33 states have enacted some form of voter ID legislation and while these measures were unheard of just a decade ago, they have now become as divisive an issue as any.
What are the voter ID laws? The laws require people who wish to vote to present a photo ID at their polling location. Passed in states like Texas and Pennsylvania, these laws are intended to curb a particular form of voter fraud called voter impersonation—voting under someone else’s name. These laws have no effect on the voter registration process, so individuals who register fraudulently could still vote provided
they have a photo ID to confirm their identity. As such, perceived problems such as double voting, ineligible persons voting and vote buying are completely unaffected, as someone with a valid ID could still commit these forms of fraud.
Is voter fraud a problem? The main problem with these laws however is that voter fraud in the United States is incredibly rare, and the type of fraud these laws seek to curb, voter impersonation, is virtually non-existent. According to a 2007 New York Times article, during the 2000s, the Bush administration attempted to crack down on voter fraud, but after five years of intensive efforts, only 26 voters had been convicted, with many cases resulting from mistakes or misunderstandings. Of the 26 cases, 18 were for ineligible voting, five were for multiple voting and three were for registration fraud. None were voter impersonation. But these minuscule numbers have not stopped politicians from trying to overstate the problem. In his defense of the Texas ID law that was eventually struck down, Texas Director of Elections Keith Ingram initially claimed that 239 dead people had voted in Texas elections last year, only to later amend that total to just four individuals, attributing the difference to “clerical errors.” Finally, according to Loyola law professor Justin Levitt, only 13 occurrences of voter identification fraud are confirmed to have occurred in the United States between 2000 and 2010, making voter impersonation significantly rarer than UFO sightings.
What is really going on here? So, with the incredibly scant evidence of voter fraud and the pathetically insignificant amount of fraud that would actually be prevented by these voter ID laws, what is actually going on? Perhaps it is best to let the politicians speak for themselves. As Republican Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Mike Turzai said about a month ago, “(Pennsylvania’s) voter ID is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania.” The reason these voter ID laws are likely to tilt the election in favor of the Republicans is that they are significantly more likely to affect groups who typically vote Democrat, one group being minorities. Nationwide, 25 percent of African Americans and 16 percent of Latinos do not have the identification required under these laws compared to 8% of whites, according to the NAACP. Texas’ voter ID law also discourages student votes, as concealed handgun licenses are considered acceptable identification while university student IDs are not. (Remember, these IDs are needed just to prove you are who you say you are, not to prove citizenship or residency.) Similarly, while Pennsylvania’s ID law allows student IDs to be used, only 15 of 110 Pennsylvania universities’ IDs met the specifications required by law. Approximately 11% of eligible voters in our country do not have the proper identification to vote under these laws, and many have little to no access to obtain such
identification. There have also been polls showing that many voters are uninformed about the new laws, believing they have sufficient identification to vote when in actuality they do not. With such a huge portion of the electorate potentially suppressed by these measures and virtually no evidence of any voter fraud problem, it is hard to see these laws as anything but a shrewd political move.
Why are these laws so popular? It does not surprise me that politicians have passed laws that they know will suppress voter turnout in order to keep their jobs—both Democrats and Republicans have been guilty of similar activities such as gerrymandering for years. What is surprising is that this blatant political move has been so wildly popular—not just among Republicans, but with independents and even some Democrats. The issue is that, on their face, the laws seem so reasonable. I have an ID. Everyone I know has an ID. How could someone possibly live in the modern world without an ID? However, for a large portion of our society—11% to be exact— this lack of ID is a reality. And for many, obtaining an ID is not as easy as it may seem. In Texas for instance, only 81 of the 254 counties have locations in which people can obtain the necessary IDs, meaning that many wishing to vote would have to potentially travel hundreds of miles just to obtain the identification needed. For many affected, this is virtually impossible and for most it is
largely impractical. In many states, including Texas, the documents needed to obtain the ID’s—like birth certificates— are not free, imposing an extra cost to voting for those without ID’s that is not unlike the infamous poll taxes of the 1800’s. Most poll taxes in the American South were roughly $20 adjusted for inflation, a total that is dwarfed by the costs of obtaining an ID for many Americans when transportation, documentation fees and time are taken into account.
Why is this a problem? I understand that voting is a sacred right, and that we as citizens are expected to make some sacrifices to exercise that right, but any law with no other functional purpose than to keep American citizens from voting is an affront to our democracy. These ID laws confront a nonexistent problem for the sole purpose of suppressing votes for political gain, and have no place in this country whatsoever. With the 2012 election shaping up to be a narrow one, voter ID laws have the potential to suppress large numbers of minority and low-income votes—serving as a barrier to, not a safeguard of, our representative democracy. If voter impersonation was a real problem in this country this would be an entirely different matter—as protecting the validity of our elections is certainly an important objective—but with the pathetic amount of evidence for this type of fraud, these laws are completely unwarranted and simply unacceptable.
Survey says you should care about politics The decisions that are made in the political arena affect everyone, even if they are unaware of that fact. That ignorance should not keep others from being fully immersed in the political arena, depressing though it can be sometimes. Leanna Duncan
Student Writer
With November and its presidential election fast approaching, my Facebook feed has been flooded
Politics matter because your vote matters. Especially as one gets more localized with their government, your vote and input into the political process matter as you grow older and contribute more to the country as a citizen. Will Bramlett
Student Writer
Anytime politics is brought up in a conversation, most people tend to shy away from a discussion. It seems as if most people are sick of
with two things: political posts and posts complaining about political posts. The latter deem politics uninteresting, unimportant or just plain annoying. Though political opinions have the potential to be infuriating or uninformed, complaints about political discussion are most certainly both. When you say “I do not care about politics,” or “Stop talking about politics on Facebook,” what I hear you saying is: “I am privileged enough to not have to care about politics because they rarely affect me directly in negative ways,” and “I fail to understand that politics affect you directly, and so I demand that you stop bothering me by caring about things that affect you or people you care about.” It is perfectly acceptable not to
care about politics. Keep in mind, however, that people are not politically active just because it is a nifty thing to do on a Saturday night. They care about politics because there are real and lasting ramifications of laws about poverty and unemployment to people like my family. Things like the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8 have real consequences for my friends. It is not meaningless when politicians fabricate facts about rape. Politics consists of more than a choice between Candidate A and Candidate B. Politics determine the course of our lives. Without federal student aid, some of us would not be reading this Collegian. If public schools had never been established, many of us would not be reading at all.
Politics got us roads and fire departments. Politics get us a measure of safety and a modicum of privacy. We may disagree about how much of those things we should have. That is one of the many reasons why we have politics: to discuss and debate options. Some of these debates center on relatively minor details. Others, however, affect the future of large swaths of the population. So when you say things like “I hate seeing my friends post about politics,” what I hear is, “I do not have to care about your pain, your rights or your safety.” Of course, you are under no obligation to care about politics in general or my life in particular. The people who do care about politics, however, are the reason why you do not have to care. They are
pulling the weight that you are not taking up. You benefit from the efforts of those who are looking at candidates and lawmakers with a critical eye. I know full well how time-consuming and frustrating keeping up with politics can be. Sometimes I want to throw my laptop out the window and pretend that people never shoot one another over race or religion anymore, that everyone has accessible and affordable healthcare and childcare, and that nobody has said a single thing about Obama’s middle name today. Sometimes I have to take a day off. But I always come back, because politics is, in so many ways, the story of our lives. Care about that story, as it is a big part of yours.
all of the extremely polar political talk coming our elected officials. By not discussing or following politics, we encourage the divide to grow even wider. In 2008, voter turnout for the presidential election was 131 million people, or 64 percent of eligible voters, according to the US Census Bureau. While this could be higher, it beats the turnout rates of midterm elections and many times higher than turnout for primary and caucuses. Oklahoma, for example, had a turnout of 14.7 percent in last March’s primary vote. Compared with other data from George Mason University’s United States Election Project, 15 percent turnout is just about standard for primary elections across America. Turnout in caucuses was even lower. Wyoming’s Republican caucus had an abysmal 0.3 percent voter
turnout rate. The primaries and caucuses are extremely important because they help decide the two major parties’ nominee for President. By ignoring these days, we allow the far wings of the parties to voice their opinions even more. The candidates have to move farther from the middle to please these people, the ones that will be voting in the primaries. We are then stuck with Republicans that are farther right and Democrats that are farther to the left, while most Americans will stay distantly in between. Then we will see even more partisan politics, turning off the Americans in the middle. One excuse people have for pushing aside politics is because, as they say, “My vote does not count.” While one vote out of 131
million might seem worthless, but in primaries and caucus, that one vote becomes even more valuable. This becomes even more true in local governments. Last month in Missouri’s state and federal congressional primaries, one race came down to a single vote. Rep. Stacey Newman barely edged out Rep. Susan Carlson for Missouri’s 87th State Representative District as the results currently stand. A mere 3,645 voted allowed for an extremely tight race in which a one person’s vote was actually extremely important. As students, we also should be heavily invested in politics. It might sound cliché, but we truly are the future. We have the most to lose of any generation if our representatives decide to act irrationally. We are the generation that must
pay for the debts of all the generations before us while replacing our aging infrastructure. We are the generation that has to deal with climate change, energy shortages, wars and many others things that the people in office now seem to ignore. Our world will be vastly different if we do not hold the people in elected office accountable for their actions. In the short term, there are also reasons to follow politics. This upcoming presidential election could decide many things that affect us now such as interest rates on student loans and how long we can stay on our parents’ healthcare. There are plenty of good reasons to stay informed. Follow the news, read the paper, watch the debates and make sure you are registered to vote.
The Collegian is the independent student newspaper of the University of Tulsa. It is distributed Tuesdays during the fall and spring semesters except during holidays and final exam weeks. The University of Tulsa is an equal opportunity employer and institution of higher education and does not discriminate on the basis of personal status or group characteristics including but not limited to the classes protected under federal and state law in its programs, services, aids, or benefits. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management has the responsibility for implementing and monitoring the Affirmative Action Plan at The University of Tulsa and assisting with the application and interpretation of pertinent laws and policy. For additional EEO/AA information, contact Wayne Paulison in the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management at 918-631-2616. For disability accommodation information, contact Dr. Jane Corso at 918-631-2315. Requests for an interpreter must be made seven days in advance of an event and at least 48 hours for all other accommodations. Advertising Policy: Advertising appearing in this publication does not imply approval or endorsement by the University of Tulsa or the Collegian for the products or services advertised. For advertising information, call the Collegian Business Office at 918.631.3084. The deadline for advertising is 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the publication. Editing Policy: The Collegian reserves the right to edit all copy submitted by all writers. This editing may take place in many forms, including grammar corrections, changes in paragraph structure or even the addition or removal of sections of content. Editorial Policy: Columnists are solely responsible for the content of their columns. Opinions expressed in columns may not represent the opinions of the entire Collegian staff, the administrative policies of the University of Tulsa, the views of the student body or our advertisers. Letter Policy: Letters to the editor must be less than 500 words, typed and double-spaced. While we do not require it, letters sent via e-mail to the Collegian are encouraged. A SIGNED hard copy with a telephone number is required if a letter is accepted for printing. Under no circumstances will unsigned letters be published. The name of the person submitting the letter must be published with the letter. We reserve the right to edit or reject all letters. The deadline for letters is 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to publication.
editor-in-chief—Kalen Petersen managing editor—J. Christopher Proctor news editor—Kyle Walker sports editor—Aubry Midkiff variety editor—Stephanie Hice opinion editor—Patrick Creedon photo & graphics editor—Jill Graves staff writers—Helen Patterson, Victoria McGouran business & advertising manager—Liz Cohen distribution manager—Tyler Magill web editor—Mary Carol Franko adviser—Kendra Blevins
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
THE COLLEGIAN : 9
Entire freshman class expelled In a shocking move, the university board of trustees has decided to expel the entire freshman class only 28 days into their academic careers. The board announced its decision in an open letter to the TU community: I am writing you this afternoon to share the news that the current freshman class has been released from its duties as students of The University of Tulsa. I wanted this announcement to come to you, the TU family, before it is distributed to the public, as many of you will be evicted from your current residences in the coming hours. The University has decided to move in a different direction and as such, this year’s current freshmen will no longer be needed. We are moving forward with business as usual and foresee no problems to be caused by the forceful removal of roughly 850 individuals from the university. The board is discussing next steps as we work toward identifying TU’s next freshman class and we will keep you informed as this process moves forward.
I know many of you may be curious about what has led to this decision, but discretion and university policy dictate that I not discuss the specific circumstances surrounding this mass expulsion, except to underscore my confidence in the collective wisdom of The University of Tulsa Board of Trustees. I appreciate and applaud the serious and thoughtful insight that each trustee brought
to these long and thoughtful deliberations, and assure the TU community that this is really in everyone’s best interest. We wish all of these freshmen well during this difficult time and in their future endeavors. We thank you in advance for your support. Duane Wilson Chairman, Board of Trustees
Sunday Bloody Mary bar and mimosas
$1.75 PBRs 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
$6 PBR + shot
Open 4 p.m. Mon.-Sat.;; 11 a.m. Sun.
The Campbell Lounge
2636 E. 11th St., Tulsa, OK 74104 (918) 744-5500 www.thecampbellhotel.com
from the Office of Public Affairs and Ecenomic Development
It’s a beautiful day in the
True Blue Neighborhood! Community Service Work Study Work Study positions in the community for students qualifying for work study. Positions available on campus, near campus, and away from campus. Starting pay is $8/hr. Public Service Internships For juniors or seniors needing general elective credits. Earn up to 3 credit hours working in a non-profit entity. Kendall-Whittier Community Dinner The University of Tulsa will be hosting its 2nd Kendall-Whittier Community Dinner on September 18th from 5:30pm – 8:30 at the park east of Kendall-Whittier Elementary. Volunteers are needed. True Blue Friday The 4th Friday of every month is True Blue Friday. Join us at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma from 1pm to 3pm. Meet the shuttle at Bayless Plaza at 12:30 for return to campus about 3:20.
T:5.125”
For more information about these or other volunteer opportunities, contact Kathy Shelton in the True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center in Holmes Student Center, room 25.
THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
College of Law Oklahoma’s flagship law school, ranked among the top 15 nationwide for best value based on: ∙ Quality ∙ Affordability ∙ Job Placement T:10.25”
∙ Overall Bar Passage Rate
RULING THIS IS WHAT
Learn more! Meet the OU Law Director of Admissions at the Business Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Wednesday. www.law.ou.edu ∙ admissions@law.ou.edu ∙ (405) 325-4728
THE SKIES LOOKS LIKE. The men and women of the Air National Guard serve part-time — which gives them the chance to dominate their full-time civilian career fields as well. You’ll develop the kinds of high-tech skills employers value, while receiving generous benefits and wearing our country’s uniform with pride. Talk to a recruiter today.
Talk to a recruiter today to learn more. GoANG.com/OK
1-800-TO-GO-ANG
THE COLLEGIAN : 10
17 SEPTEMBER 2012
This newspaper does not remark on personnel issues.
Return of the Stead Graphic by Jill Graves
This image, found on a rock near Stevenson Hall, lends credence to the emerging theory that Orsak was actually transported back to the Cretaceous period.
Orsak sent back in time, wreaks havoc in present
In a freak accident, President Orsak was sent back in time, prompting a shady university cover up. Jared Starkweather Student Writer
Graphic by Jill Graves
In TU’s hour of darkness, a noble wizard has returned. President Emeritus Steadman Upham the Grey arrived on campus this week, riding a glorious white horse and inspiring hope wherever he went. Upham, who had been fighting Balrogs in the vast deserts of New Mexico, has come back to Tulsa to guide the university through the challenging days ahead. While many were concerned that Stead had taken so long to arrive after Orsak’s dismissal, Upham kindly reminded the TU community that a president emeritus “is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”
Board: Orsak fired for A member of the University of Tulsa’s Board of Trustees confirmed Monday that former President Geoffrey Orsak, who held that office for 74 days, was fired for ████████████████. In a statement confirming the board’s commitment to transparency, ███████ and open dialogue, Chairman of the Board Duane Wilson said, “Dr. Orsak’s unfortunate decision to ███████████████ and ███████████████ TU’s inviolable ████████████ left us with no choice but to dismiss him. This decision was not made lightly, but arrived at after ██ hours of ███████████ and grueling █████████.” In a 45-minute press conference, attended by all ██ members of the board, the shocking details of Orsak’s conduct came to light. “Over the course of several weeks, Dr. Orsak repeatedly █████████, showing complete disregard regard for █████████,” said ████████. “He even went so far as to ███████████ the roof of McFarlin Library █████████████ in-
cluding, but not limited to ███████████ gallons of oozing █████████████.” “████████████████,” he added. Sources close to Orsak told The State-Run Media that in his first few weeks in office alone, Orsak frequently ██████████████ Chinese communist ████████████ and ███████████ fountains █████████ under cover of darkness. The board confirmed these allegations, citing documents released by the Department of █████████ in August of 20██, which reveal that ████████████ false name ████████████ wearing Steadman Upham’s moustache and glasses ████████ and the ████████ nuclear weapons████████████ of ████████████ worth over $███████. ████████████████an d███████████████ without █████████████████ Oral Roberts University’s sacred ████████.
While it took the university nearly a year to choose Orsak as its new leader, board members acknowledged that the selection process had been flawed. “We are embarrassed to have missed the obvious warning signs of █████████. In hindsight, we should have known that Orsak was █████████, but he seemed like a godsend at the time. I just couldn’t believe the way he kept us in the dark about ████████,” said ████████. “What kind of person would cover up the truth like that?” he added. Members of TU’s administration expressed their feelings of █████ and ██████ at the news. “I thought Geoffrey was a real ███████,” said ██████, the Vice President for Enrollment and ████████. “I couldn’t have been more ██████ to see him go.” As of press time, Orsak was reportedly imprisoned in a ██████ cell beneath ███████ Hall, awaiting his imminent ████████.
In an unprecedented release of classified documents by the Internet activist group “TU-Leaks,” the mysterious disappearance of former TU president Geoffrey Orsak was explained: contrary to official accounts, Orsak was actually sent back in time. The documents, which were leaked late Sunday, detail a topsecret government time travel research program headquartered in the basement of Keplinger Hall. The experiments involved sending objects back in time, but plans went horribly wrong when Orsak fell into the machine. “We started off sending simple objects back in time, like plastics and chemicals,” said an anonymous source from inside the program. “But then, when President Orsak came by to do his weekly performance evaluation, he tripped on a cord and fell into the time portal.” “The machine sent him back about 100 million years before we could get him out. It was terrible,” the source said. Officials say that this occur-
rence may shed some light on some unexplainable recent events on campus. “We believe that the pitiful quality of food at the Hut Cantina or the completely unnecessary renaming of Blackboard are an attempt at revenge by Orsak,” one official said. “Orsak must have figured out how to manipulate the space-time continuum from his vantage point in the Cretaceous period,” another official stated. “How else could you explain the taste of the food at the Hut Cantina?” he asked. Suspicions were confirmed upon the discovery of a crudelydrawn picture of President Orsak riding a velociraptor found painted on a rock buried next to Stephenson Hall on Thursday. “If Orsak was able to calculate the exact position of Stephenson Hall after 100 million years of tectonic shifting, there is no telling the kinds of things that he is capable of. We should expect much, much worse things to come,” a professor from the physics department theorized. Orsak’s meddling has also been linked to the recent plague of crickets, the record freshman class and TU’s eight-point drop in the US News and World Report Ranking. The board of trustees declined to comment on the situation.
The hero we need
Graphic by Jill Graves
“Why’s he running, Duane?” “Because we have to chase him.” “He didn’t do anything wrong.” “Because he’s the hero Tulsa deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A Dark Knight.”
king Farewell dear Orsak, we had a good run, It may have been short but it surely was fun. Your seventy-four days passed so quickly by, leaving us sad to see your reign die. We wish you good luck as we part our ways and still think of you fondly despite these hard days.