Collegian: 24 Sept 2012 Issue

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a student newspaper of the university of tulsa

september 24, 2012 issue 4 ~ volume 98

Stead returns to presidency In the wake of Geoffrey Orsak’s dismissal, Steadman Upham comes out of a threemonth retirement to lead TU. Kalen Petersen Editor-in-Chief

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n Thursday, the University of Tulsa announced that a familiar hand would take the helm at TU. President Emeritus Steadman Upham, who led the university from 2004 to 2011, will resume his desk in Collins Hall on Oct. 1.

Upham retired in June, making way for Geoffrey Orsak, who came to TU from Southern Methodist University. After Orsak’s Sept. 12 firing, board of trustees Chairman Duane Wilson asked Upham to resume his post. Only months after Orsak replaced Upham, Upham will be replacing Orsak.

While the drumbeat of academic life continued at TU, Upham had been exploring

his more artistic side, painting contemporary abstract art in New Mexico, where resided this summer. “It’s ironic: just about 10 days ago, I signed an agreement with a gallery here in Santa Fe,” Upham said.

Besides painting, Upham said that his summer was occupied by reading, working on his property and keeping up with events at TU. Upham was circumspect about the abrupt end to his retirement.

“Life happens when you’re making other plans,” he said. Upham called himself “enthusiastic and willing” to serve the university until a new president is selected, a process he said could take several years.

“We won’t search again for another president this year,” Upham said. “The process of finding a president usually coincides with the academic cycle; that means that the search process would begin next fall.”

Upham said he was “surprised, number one, and then deeply disappointed,” when Wilson in-

formed him that there was a problem with Orsak. “I had the same kind of feelings for the university as I would for a member of my family,” Upham said, “so when things don’t go well, you kind of grieve along with the person who was suffering.”

Upham called Orsak “a very accomplished young man, personable, outgoing, great sense of humor,” adding, ““I just wish him the best.”

Despite Orsak’s dismissal, Upham offered praise for the board’s selection process. “Anytime there’s a high-level search, the outcome is not certain,” he said. “The people who were on the search committee and the process was spectacular. It could not have been a more deliberate and careful process.”

The university has continued to decline comment on the reasons for Orsak’s firing. “There’s always a need to know, and it’s frustrating for people,” Upham said, “but I think the outcome is clear and

See Stead page 5

Religious diversity abounds among TU students Despite differences, desire to engage and do good characterizes a parallel purpose amongst TU’s religious groups.

Cara Dublin Student Writer

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avigating the campus wilderness of religious organizations with three-letter acronyms and other religious organizations can be overwhelming. Most of them spread the word about weekly religious services and free lunches, but RUF, ISM, MSA and the others - what do they all mean?

Hillel is an association of Jewish TU students. The group currently has around 15 members, and seeks to “create a place for Jewish life on campus and for Jewish students to hang out,” said Elizabeth Cohen, president of Hillel.

International Student Ministries is an interdenominational Christian organization that has been on campus for 20 years.

ISM’s mission is to “To love the nations at our doorstep by helping to meet their practical and spiritual needs through the love of Jesus Christ. For example, providing furniture for incoming students from overseas, free food, driving lessons, English practice, introducing them to quality students and local families, etc.”

ISM has a small leadership of five people on campus, “plus many amazing volunteers from the Tulsa Community,” who help to “love and support (up to) 200 students from around the world,” volunteer Charlie Brill said.

ISM’s Free International Lunch is every Thursday. Its English Corner allows language-learners to practice conversation on Wednesday evenings.

Furniture Fest, held at the beginning of each semester, helps newly arrived international students who might not have a car or know where to shop furnish their apartments with donated items, from mattresses to couches to tables and chairs. There are also a weekly Bible study and frequent events, such as outings and parties at local family homes.

“Our greatest service is friend-

ship,” Brill said. “All of our events are meant to help these students have a solid support base here as they are so far away from their homes.”

President Mohammed Al-Gattan of TU’s Muslim Student’s Association said that MSA “is a nonprofit Islamic religious and social organization, providing TU students with the opportunity to lead a spiritual life in a supportive Islamic environment, and seeking to educate the Tulsa and Tulsa University communities about Islam.”

The MSA “exists and operates in conformity with the normative Islam as presented by the Quran and Sunna,” Al-Gattan said. “All normative Islam, without ethnic and cultural innovation, are welcome into the field of brotherhood-sisterhood of MSA.” They also welcome non-Muslim visitors to the mosque, according to their website: tulsamsa.blogspot.com.

Five daily congregational prayers and Jumuah (Friday) prayer, as well as two Eid Salas (prayers) are mandated in the bylaws of the MSA, and are held regularly.

An member of the MSA said that there are around 60 members, though “people come and go as they wish.” He called the MSA “more than a religious group,” but also a place to build community and play soccer.

The St. Philip Neri Catholic Newman Center is “a group that caters to the Catholic students on (TU’s) campus,” according to student Rick Shipley. “We also reach out to non-Catholics on campus.”

Members of the Newman Center strive to do everything in a “spirit of praising Jesus for all he’s done for us,” Shipley said. “We help provide opportunities through retreats and small groups to think about what (we are) called to do in life.”

The Newman Center, according to its mission, “prepares university students for a life of faith and leadership in the Catholic Church and service to the world. After all, “the whole spirit of college is preparing us for what’s next,” Shipley said.

The Newman Center holds daily Mass, morning and evening prayer, and a variety of social and educational events. Every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. there is a free lunch

at the Newman Center.

The Reformed University Fellowship, the college ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America, was founded at TU in 2001.

RUF “exists to reach students with the good news of what Jesus Christ has done to reconcile sinners to God, and to equip students to serve Jesus in all of life through the avenue of the local church,” Campus Minister Brent Corbin said.

According to its mission statement, “RUF believes in a very old message which we believe has the power to change people even in our day: We are more broken, sinful, and flawed than we ever dare to believe, but also, in Christ, more loved and accepted by God than we could ever hope. We think this is at the heart of the good news of the Bible.”

As many as 90 students attend RUF Large Group Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Sharp Chapel. It hosts a freshman Bible study at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays upstairs in Sharp Chapel. Various smaller student-led fellowship groups meet throughout the week to accommodate busy schedules.

“In addition, we serve our local community through several churches, including a tutoring program organized through Crossover Bible Church,” Corbin said. “Regionally, we have recently done mission/service trips to Joplin, Missouri and Chicago.”

Corbin said RUF tries to be “a group where those who don’t believe in or are unfamiliar with the truth claims of Christianity can come and hear and ask questions about these truth claims while being cared for and welcomed by a genuine Christian community.”

RUF also hosts parties, bonfires and regular football games tailgates, among other cultural and social community engagement.

RUF works closely with Christ Presbyterian Church, River Oaks Presbyterian Church (formerly Redeemer) and Trinity Church, Owasso.

United Campus Ministries was founded at TU in 1967, and is perhaps better known as the “Little Blue House” behind Chapman Hall. “UCM is ecumenical and interfaith and is comprised of students of all faith backgrounds, as well as those who do not iden-

Jill Graves / Collegian

Top: The Wesley Foundation Middle: The Muslim Student Association campus Masjid Bottom: The St. Philip Neri Catholic Newman Center

tify religiously. Everyone is welcome,” UCM Executive Director Nancy Eggen said.

UCM’s mission statement is: “In cooperation with area congregations, United Campus Ministry awakens an ecumenical voice for peace and justice on the University of Tulsa campus by fostering a benevolent and inclusive environment, which nurtures both spiritual and academic growth within the

university community.”

“There are probably 100 people on our email list, with weekly attendance at veggie lunches at between 30 and 40 people,” Eggen said.

UCM plays host to many TU student groups, including the Coalition for Women’s Issues, Earth Matters, PRIDE and the Cultural

See Religion page 9

Sports

4 SEPTEMBER 2012

THE COLLEGIAN : 2

Golden Hurricane gets Cycl-owned Despite promising plays in the first quarter, TU suffered a loss in its season opener to Big 12 foe Iowa State.

John Lepine SA President

TU opened its football season on the road for the sixth consecutive year Saturday, losing 38–23 to out-of-conference foe Iowa State University.

After going up 16–7 in a dominant first quarter, the Golden Hurricane died down and the Cyclones started storming, nailing 24 points to the board to take the lead while shutting TU out until the final minutes of the game.

Tulsa hung on through a scoreless third quarter and narrowed the gap to just eight points in the fourth, but an ISU interceptionturned-touchdown snapped TU’s last hopeful drive and snuffed out any possibility of an upset.

“We started off great early but then stalled a bit in the second quarter,” said junior running back Trey Watts. “We’d move the ball, move the ball, then shoot ourselves in the foot. Miss a block here, miss a block there, drop a snap. It was a lot of the little things we didn’t do right.”

That said, there were a few big things the Hurricane did right.

Watts, who has started in 16 games since his freshman year, was responsible for several of them, with a 77-yard run that set up TU’s last score, and with a 60-yard kick return early in the game.

Tulsa also recorded its first safety since the 2007 C-USA Championship game. After Cole Way’s punt put ISU on their own 3-yard line, defensive end Brentom Todd chased Cyclone Jeff Woody into the endzone, where multiple TU

J.Christopher Proctor/ The Collegian

Alex Singleton runs into a wall of defenders as Tulsa tries to punch the ball in for a Touchdown on a 3rd and 1 attempt. Although Singleton was not able to move the scrum across the line, teammate Ja’Terian Douglas walked into the endzone on fourth down to give the Hurricane its first touchdown of the season.

tacklers closed in and brought him down, nabbing two points.

The safety, which is the rarest score in football, was followed by a Hurricane march down the field for a touchdown and a twopoint conversion, the second rarest score. Up 10–7, Tulsa quickly choked out the Cyclone’s next drive with an 18-yard interception

by Marco Nelson, the junior’s seventh of his career.

Just 59 seconds later, TU would capitalize on the pick with another touchdown. Freshman kicker Daniel Schwarz’s point-after-touchdown attempt was blocked, giving Tulsa its biggest lead of the game,

J. Christopher Proctor / The Collegian

Head Coach Bill Blankenship directs his players as they head for the line in Tulsa’s weekend opener against ISU.

16–7, at the end of the first quarter.

Sloppy mistakes were the Hurricane’s undoing. TU was penalized six times for a total loss of 60 yards. Tulsa also fumbled four times, losing the ball once and losing yards and momentum in each case.

Quarterback Cody Green, a transfer student from Nebraska, threw two interceptions, the second of them a game-ending turnover for TU. Of that mistake, head coach Bill Blankenship

John Lepine SA President

The Golden Hurricane women’s soccer team was victorious in the Tulsa Invitational Championship this weekend with two impressive wins over Missouri State and Northwestern State, while the men’s soccer team got mixed results in the Hurricane Classic with an upset of No. 3 New Mexico before falling to No. 4 South Florida.

Friday night saw two thrilling overtime matches at Hurricane Soccer & Track Stadium.

The women’s soccer team finally downed Missouri State in the second minute of double overtime off a goal from Claire Nicholson, her fifth of the season.

Immediately afterwards, men’s soccer faced off against New Mexico, tying up the game with a goal each in the middle of the first half.

Tulsa seized victory at the 91:42 mark thanks to a goal from freshman Bryce Follensbee.

Tom McIntosh, who is in his 18th season as head coach of men’s soccer, called it “a good win against a very good team.”

The men’s team did not manage

to repeat the trick against South Florida on Sunday night, falling behind after USF nailed a penalty kick in the 80th minute. Abe Matamoros posted TU’s lone goal of that match with a 45-yard kick from the right side.

Women’s soccer, on the other hand, was dominant on Sunday, crushing Northwestern State 5–1.

Head coach Kyle Cussen called the match “a total team effort.”

“We played everyone that was able to play, and it was good to see some of our young players in

downs, while Bryan Burnham is shaping up to be the go-to receiver for Green, catching nine passes for 90 yards. On defense, senior DeAundre Brown had a big game with nine solo tackles and two sacks for a loss of 21 yards.

The Golden Hurricane opens C-USA action Saturday with an 11 a.m. match against the Tulane Green Wave at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Tulsa leads the series 7–1 and has not lost to Tulane since 1968.

J.Christopher Proctor / The Collegian

Wide receiver Thomas Roberson celebrates his impressive touchdown which put TU up 16-7 in the first quarter of play. Roberson had 35 yards on four receptions, and a dramatic two-point conversion that helped keep Tulsa in the game late into the fourth quarter.

TU upsets No. 3 New Mexico Men’s soccer bested the New Mexico Lobos in overtime, but lost to South Florida.

The women were dominant in a match against Northwestern State.

said, “It was a busted play and he went ahead and threw it when he shouldn’t have.”

Still, Blankenship was generally pleased with Green’s performance in his first game with the Golden Hurricane, saying “I think we have a quarterback that we can win with, and we have to help him learn how to manage a game. I think his mistakes are going to be very correctable.”

Thomas Roberson and Keyarris Garrett both caught for touch-

action,” he said.

Rebecca Handley and Stephanie Aitken, both seniors, scored two of Tulsa’s goals, while a junior, a sophomore and a freshman— Lindsay Kirch, Emily Hahn and Lauren King respectively—were responsible for the other scores.

TU women’s soccer heads to Kansas City this coming weekend for the UMKC Invitational, playing Florida Gulf Coast on Sept.

7. The Hurricane men will face UCLA that same day at 6:30 on the PAC 12 network.

David Kennedy / The Collegian

Tulsa’s men’s soccer team celebrates their upset victory over No. 3-ranked New Mexico on Friday night.

Hurricane waves hello to Tulane The Tulsa Golden Hurricane will look to rebound this Saturday from its disappointing loss to the Iowa State Cyclones as the Tulane Green Wave comes to town.

Tulsa will be a heavy favorite in its home opener, and has beaten Tulane every year since joining the C-USA in 2005.

Expect Cody Green to look much better against the Wave than he did against the Big 12 Cyclone defense.

Location: New Orleans

USA News and World Report Ranking: 50 Students: 13,400 Mascot: Riptide the Pelican Record: 0–1 2011 Record: 2-11 Last Week: L to Rutgers 24–12 Last meeting: 2011 TU won 31–3 ACT 25th / 75th Percentile: 29/32

Sports

THE COLLEGIAN : 3

4 SEPTEMBER 2012

TU crosses country, first meet off to-do list A solid showing at the first cross country meet of the season leaves TU hopeful and proud.

Lauren Colette Student Writer

As the sun rose on the morning of Sept. 1, the Tulsa runners were warming up for their first race in a long cross-country season.

Even before arriving for the fall semester, the cross country team had been running hundreds of miles along with countless hill workouts and tempos­—long, timed runs.

All of this work was in preparation for the 2012 season, and the Hurricane XC Festival was the first chance for the Tulsa runners to test their training. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Northwestern State, Missouri State and John Brown University were also preparing for the day, in hopes of starting the season on a high note.

The men kicked things off at 8 a.m. with a four-mile race at Mohawk Park. The Tulsa men had a great morning with senior James Keilbarth finishing eighth at 20:55, followed by junior Emmett

Cookson (20:58), junior Brian Tabb (21:04), sophomore Adam Johnson (21:22) and sophomore Aaron Thornburg (21:23). They were beaten only by Oklahoma State, which claimed the first seven overall places.

Despite losing clear front-runner Paula Whiting last year, the women of TU finished strong in the two-mile, putting junior Josie Wilcox (11:07) and senior Jaclyn Rollins (11:16) in second and third. Sophomore Lacey Erickson ran 11:48 finishing 12th; she was followed by junior Lauren Collette (11:53), and senior Tricity Andrew (12:11). The Tulsa women were narrowly out-scored by Oklahoma State 25-31, but defeated Oklahoma, Northwestern State, Missouri State and John Brown.

Overall, this meet was a success for the Golden Hurricane. The performances of both the men and women show great promise for the upcoming 2012 cross-country season.

In two weeks, the Tulsa runners will be heading to Joplin, Missouri for the Missouri Southern Stampede, where two years ago the women ran a perfect score, claiming the top 5 overall places.

Lauren Collette / The Collegian

Tricity Andrew, Josie Wilcox, Lacey Erickson, Jaclyn Rollins and Lauren Collette begin the women’s two-mile at the Hurricane XC Festival this weekend.

Lauren Collette / The Collegian

Brian Tabb, Aaron Thornburg, Emmett Cookson, and Adam Johnson bring the heat in the men’s 4 mile as they stick with the No. 2 ranked OSU Cowboys.

Tulsa fall sports kick off TU fall sports have promising prospects for the 2012 season.

Renee Vanasse Student Writer

Volleyball Coming into the season as reigning conference champions, the TU volleyball team has a seemingly bright season ahead.

With five seniors who have earned the conference title two of the past three years, there is no shortage of experience on the team. TU isn’t taking it easy, however, as the team faces three top 25 teams in their home tournament Sept. 13-15.

You don’t have to wait until the home tournament to see Volleyball in action; Head Coach Steven McRoberts invited the student body to come out to watch the team play at ORU on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer The men’s soccer team dives headfirst into top-tier competition this year, with four of their first six opponents ranked in the top 10.

The team is ready to fight, with a recruiting class ranked 9th in the nation in addition to strong return-

ing players, including pre-season All-Conference honoree Omar Mata.

The team faces top conference competitor South Carolina on Sept. 2, nationally No. 2-ranked Creighton on Sept. 25 and Marshall on Sept. 29.

These games are all at home and Head Coach Tom McIntosh encourages TU students to come out and “make Tulsa the most intimidating place to play for our opponents.”

Women’s Soccer Head Coach Kyle Cussen cites team depth and unity as strengths for the program this year; so far they have done well, with a preseason win over Oklahoma, wins over Weber State and Nicholls State and a narrow loss to No. 13-ranked Notre Dame in a hardfought contest.

Home games to look forward to include one against cross-town rival Oral Roberts on Sept. 14 and a Sept. 19 game versus conference opponent Memphis to kick off Homecoming weekend.

Cross Country After graduating a strong class last year on the men’s team the new runners this year have big shoes to fill.

Described by Head Coach Steve Gulley as “quite possibly the best recruiting class I’ve seen in my time at TU,” they seem to be up for the challenge. The returners are coming back strong as well and looking to lead the team to a repeat conference title on Oct. 29.

Having finished just two points behind the victors at last year’s Conference USA Championships, the women’s cross country team is more determined than ever this year.

Be sure to stay tuned as they strive to do what they fell short of last year at the conference championship on Oct. 29.

Tennis Tulsa Tennis has a history of excellence. The women have won the Conference USA Championship for the past three years and the men have won the conference title six of the last seven years.

Women’s Head Coach Dean Orford says the fall season is when the team focuses on individual development and results and that the team hopes to peak for the ITA National Indoor competition in November.

Until then, TU students can see the players in action in the ITA Central Region Championships at home on Oct. 20-25.

Think you ‘Cane?

New players do not preclude a promising season for TU football.

Nick Lewellen Student Writer

This season, Tulsa Golden Hurricane football fans may have a difficult time deciding just how high to set their expectations.

In the last few seasons the Golden Hurricane has watched a coach and several standout players leave the team. Doubters are sure to say that these losses are only made worse with the Golden Hurricane returning just 13 starters on offense and defense.

Nevertheless, Hurricane fans have several reasons to expect an impressive showing from their football team this year.

The loss of a three-year starter and former Conference-USA offensive player of the year, quarterback G.J. Kinnie, provides the biggest question mark on the roster for the Golden Hurricane this year.

Junior Cody Green, who played his first two seasons at Nebraska before losing his starting job to Taylor Martinez and transferring to TU, will replace Kinnie. Though he played on one of college foot-

ball’s biggest stages as a true freshman, Green still has a few obstacles to overcome before leading TU’s elite offense, most notable of which is the drastic change in offensive philosophy from the prostyle offense featured at Nebraska to TU’s famous spread offense.

However, Green can expect a significant amount of the offensive load to be taken off his shoulders

by TU’s dynamic trio of rushers, featuring junior Trey Watts, junior Ja’Terian Douglas and senior passcatching halfback Willie Carter.

The Golden Hurricane also lost some of its on-field leaders last season with the departure of linebacker Cornelius Arnick and defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker.

However, there are players ready and waiting to lead the team like senior free safety Dexter McCoil, who needs only one more interception to become the TU career leader, and linebacker Shawn Jackson, who ranked second in tackles for the defense last season.

Despite the unanswered questions and new faces on the roster, fans may have a reason to be optimistic when comparing this year’s schedule to last’s. During their 8–5 campaign, the Golden Hurricane faced four opponents ranked in the

top 10, which included conference foe Houston. This year’s schedule features only one preseason top 10 opponent: the University of Arkansas.

Last year’s brutal out-of-conference schedule aside, the Golden Hurricane fared quite well in conference, going 7–1. Combine last year’s performance with the graduation of Heisman trophy contender Case Keenum of Houston, and fans have even more reason to hope for a solid conference showing.

The Golden Hurricane, like all of Conference USA, is in a position of transition and change.

However, this is nothing new for the Hurricane players, who seem to have become accustomed to coaching changes, player departures and rumors of conference realignment.

If TU can build on the success of last season, while also moving past last year’s non-conference and bowl game shortcomings, then there is no reason TU fans should expect anything less than another bowl or Conference USA Championship appearance for the Golden Hurricane.

Photo courtesy Stack.com

Drew Brees celebrates wildly after finding out that the New Orleans Saints wanted to pay him roughly the GDP of the Falkland Islands for throwing a ball around with his friends for a few months each year.

Drew Brees gets shown the money Drew Brees signs an epic $100 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Sam Morton Student Writer

In July, the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback, Drew Brees, signed a five-year, $100 million dollar contract with $60 million in guaranteed money. Let’s repeat that slowly. $100 million. $60 million guaranteed.

Don’t get me wrong, Drew Brees deserves to be paid with the best of ‘em; he’s a Super Bowl champ and a statistical god, but that type of contract is difficult to even wrap your brain around.

Let’s try to piece this together.

Remember the movie Jerry Maguire? The whole movie was based on getting underpaid star, Rod Tidwell, a new contract. Show me the money, Jerry! Well Rod finally gets his dream contract. He could finally provide his massive family with financial security for the long haul. That contract was worth $11.2 million.

Granted, there is a different pay scale for quarterbacks and wide receivers, and that movie was made in 1996, and it’s pure fiction, but the point I’m making is that Drew Brees just signed for about nine times as much as Ron “Show me the Money” Tidwell.

Perhaps that doesn’t hit home quite so much. Here’s another comparison. The gross domestic product of the entire country of Tuvalu for 2011 was $35,780,000.

That figure happens to be just slightly less than Brees’ signing bonus, coming in at $37 million.

A nice version of the global poverty line is two dollars a day. In 2002 (an outdated figure but I’m sure you’ll forgive me) approximately 2.6 billion people made less than two dollars a day. At two dollars a day, that’s about $3,652 for the next five years. This means that Brees will earn as much as about 27,000 individuals at this global poverty line put together.

Yikes! You have to wonder if people in Tuvalu read about Drew Brees’ contract and shouted, “Show me the money!”

For a complete list of participating companies, log on to your Golden OpporTUnities account at www.hireTUgrads.com!

Career Services: 918.631.2549/career-­services@utulsa.edu

NEWS

24 SEPTEMBER 2012

THE COLLEGIAN : 4

TU Student to compete in annual fiddling championship High-ranking fiddler and TU student Emma Jane Pendleton will soon be contending for a fiddling title at Tulsa State Fair.

Beate Hall Student Writer

Not everyone could stroll into a room wearing a bright blue sparkly shirt with cowboy boots, a big hat, and a belt buckle bigger than a cell phone, but Emma Jane Pendleton is not just anyone--she is a fiddler.

Currently ranked third in the state of Oklahoma for fiddling, Pendleton is the highest-ranked female fiddler in Oklahoma and has been for the last five years.

This fall, she will be competing in the open category of the 40th annual Oklahoma State Picking & Fiddling Championships hosted by the Tulsa State Fair. This par-

ticular contest is sanctioned by the National Fiddler Hall of Fame and Oklahoma State Fiddlers, Inc., certified by the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest, and was founded by a pair of TU professors, Glenn Godsey and Guy Logsdon.

Pendleton began playing classical violin at the age of two and picked up fiddling at seven, after Jana Jae, the host of a local fiddling championship in Grove, Okla., heard her and her sister play together and suggested that they begin fiddling. Pendleton followed her advice and has done quite well in the competitive circuit since then and holds several national and state titles.

Pendleton is the first TU student in at least 10 years to compete in this competition and is expected to do well. She is optimistic, but well aware that because the judges change, and the ranking order changes from contest to contest.

“You never know who’s going to win; you never know who’s going to be there” Pendleton said. This allows the contests to remain exciting and fun for Pendleton even after all this time. “I love doing all of it,” she said, “but performing is more relaxing.”

The entire Pendleton family band gets in on the act. Pendleton’s mother, Virginia

Pendleton, worried that she might stop playing when she got to school, especially as she attempts a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Violin Performance, but Pendleton says she’s “not going to walk away from something” she has done her “entire life.”

Virginia Pendleton even suggested it might be “fun to find other TU students who play and put (her) own little band together” at TU. It is important to note that fiddling and classical violin are very different styles with different criteria, a different jargon, and different traditions, Pendleton said. “The style changes at different contests; different fiddle styles. You might hear the exact same song but it won’t sound the same,” she said.

Pendleton uses one instrument when she plays classical violin and another when she fiddles, producing different tonal qualities.

Her fiddle was a prize in a fiddling contest many years ago, as was her belt buckle.

Fiddling may be her primary talent, but it is not her only one. The primary singer for the family’s band, Pendleton also yodels, plays some mandolin and guitar, and is helping guide and teach the next generation of musicians as a private teacher.

Donations spark potential backlash against Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A’s financial beneficiaries make the fast-food franchise a point of contention for TU students, faculty.

Lily Clough Student Writer

This summer’s uproar over Chick-fil-A’s support of anti-gay organizations has caused some concern at the University of Tulsa about what it means to have a franchise on the TU’s campus, how it reflects on the image of the university and how it affects the gay community at TU. As one of the few non-Sodexo dining options on campus, Chick-fil-A does not lack for business at TU. Many students, even though they are aware of Chick-fil-A’s multi-million dollar donations to anti-gay groups, eat there simply because it is convenient.

“It wouldn’t really matter to me if it were another fast-food place. As long as the food was good,” he said. “As long as it wasn’t McDonald’s. I still eat Chick-fil-A because it is what’s there,” said Student Travis Brachtenbach.

The donations Chick-fil-A has made in the past are a source of concern to the gay community on campus, which had planned to set up a table in Allen Chapman Activity Center to raise awareness about Chick-filA’s donations.

Chick-fil-A’s charitable branch, WinShape has made donations to The Family Research Council, an organization that was designated as an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights organization. In that year alone, Chick-fil-A donated about $2 million to such groups.

Because of this, some students and faculty have become concerned that having a Chick-fil-A on campus can cast the univer-

sity in an undesirable light, and is inconsistent with the university’s mission statement.

Assistant professor Justin Chalker offered his thoughts on the subject. “It is important to separate the recent anti-gay statements of Dan Cathy (president of Chick-fil-A) from WinShape’s financial contributions to organizations that have been labeled hate groups by the SPLC,” he said.

Chalker said that “Cathy’s statements— however obtuse and bigoted—are protected speech and should not constitute grounds for the university taking action against his business.” However, Chalker also argued that Chick-fil-A’s partnership with WinShape is more cause for concern “because a portion of every Hurricane Gold Dollar spent at Chick-fil-A has been funneled to organizations that continually dehumanize the LGBT community.”

Chalker said that “the Family Research Beate Hall / Collegian Council and Exodus International have con- Chick-fil-A’s continued campus presence via its outlet in ACAC is seen as a tacit approval of the company’s tinually portrayed members of the LGBT positions on social policy. Concerned students and faculty wonder about the university’s commitment to community as sick, evil and dangerous. equality in light of Chick-fil’A’s donations to conroversial political groups.

Members of the University of Tulsa should under TU’s nondiscrimination policy. Be- of transgender individuals. It (would be) consider if Chick-fil-A’s support of Wintween that and the university’s support of a step, absolutely, but until this happens Shape is consistent with our Mission. I think an organization that publicly funds hate on an institutional, corporate level, it’s not it is not.” groups, the university obviously does not enough.”

Chalker said that TU students and comsupport its LGBT students, parents, and emWhen asked about how he would like to munity members have a responsibility to ployees,” she added. see the university act, Chalker said, “I am voice their opinions. “Silence only indicates Recently, unconfirmed media reports proud that the University of Tulsa offers that concerned members of the TU family have suggested that Chick-fil-A may end benefits for domestic partnerships. I would have not spoken up,” he said. “Nationwide, donations to anti-gay groups and amend very much like if this commitment to all university students and faculty have petiits nondiscrimination policy. However, the members of the University was made more tioned for the removal of Chick-fil-A from Chick-fil-A has not confirmed these reports. visible to prospective students and employcampuses. If these events are any indication “I think it’s great to say that the company ees. A sense of community and inclusiveof things to come, this discussion is far from won’t discriminate based on sexual orien- ness is a hallmark of higher education and over.” tation,” Zachary Harvat, president of TU these are values are evident in the TU’s MisStudent Carly Putnam said in an e-mail Pride, said in an e-mail, “but until they re- sion Statement.” that “(TU’s) silence is at best an indicalease an official statement renouncing their However, Chalker said, “this does not tion of its hesitation to support the campus support of homophobic organizations, the mean there is no room for improvement. For community and at worse a tacit approval of sentiment is pretty hollow.” instance, the TU College of Law has explicChick-fil-A’s stance.”

Harvat also noted that “the non-discrim- itly included sexual orientation in its “Outside of the law school, sexual orienination policy fails to mention gender identation does not qualify as a protected group See Chick-fil-A page 9 tity, which could lead to further exclusion

Campus security well-armed, well-trained TU campus security officers undergo annual firearms certification in addition to state mandated Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training certification.

Katlyn McGouran Student Writer

Campus Security was not a polarizing conversation topic until about a year ago, when their department underwent a transformation which included arming all officers with guns. While many students still did not care, others voiced concern over the change.

The Collegian interviewed Joe Timmons, Director of Campus Security, to discuss the paradigm shift and learn more about how his department works.

While prior experience with firearms is not necessarily required, Campus Security boasts a total of 32 officers and supervisors on campus. Of those 32 officers, 20 officers have previous military or law enforcement experience. Additionally, nine officers remain on active duty status in their respective fields.

All officers are outfitted with a Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol, in accordance with Mr. Timmons’ “escalation of force” policy, which maintains that any confrontation

could intensify to the point where an officer must discharge his weapon. This is why Timmons operates with an “all or nothing” mentality, and does not equip his officers with pepper spray, because if his men begin a confrontation they must be prepared to end it, he said, and a gun enables his officers to exert more control over a conflict.

While all officers must be certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training as required by the state, Timmons holds his officers to a higher standard.

When his staff became an armed force, only three former personnel were retained, and only one officer now remains on the force among those three.

Timmons described the selection process as “stringent,” stating that his department interviewed about 1500 candidates for approximately 30 positions in an effort to find the best candidates for the job. Timmons said “I’m a very prideful guy, and I want to surround myself with greatness… I’m really confident in the guys we’ve got.”

Timmons added that the university, and specifically his department, is in the process of developing its own CLEET program, in an effort to increase quality control. Officers must renew their CLEET certification every three years, but Timmons hopes improve on the pre-existing requirements set out by the state. His goal is not to make his officers lethal weapons, he said, but rather to shape

them into competent individuals who are prepared to handle any situation.

Oklahoma has no regulations pertaining to annual firearms certifications, but Timmons requires his men to shoot four times per year, and the University of Tulsa provides a monthly opportunity for officers to practice and develop their skills with range instructors. Additionally, Campus Security enjoys the generosity of a private beneficiary, who took a great liking to Timmon’s department and built a gun range for it, despite being previously unattached to the University of Tulsa.

Officers operate fairly autonomously, except for trainees who must complete ridealong duty before becoming an officer. Timmons said: “They work together as a squad, and we try to take the competition out of it.”

Every officer wears a wristband bearing the statement “Not today, not on my watch” to remind them of their commitment to their department, and more importantly, to their team.

Timmons explained their motto: “This is our campus, this is our community, and we are not going to allow somebody to come and take what doesn’t belong to them, or what belongs to you, or what belongs to the university… you’re not going to come on my campus today and wreak havoc or do whatever you want to do, not today, not on my watch.”

Timmons spent twenty years in law enforcement before signing on with the University of Tulsa, and twelve of those years on a SWAT team, teaching and training officers. Timmons draws on his experiential wisdom to remind his men that when they are carrying a weapon, every contact is an armed contact by definition because at least one party has a gun.

Timmons has great confidence that his men will act appropriately and respond correctly, saying “I have a philosophy of leading by example. You watch me; I’ll set the tone. And it’s up to you to keep up.”

Timmons realizes that in his business, safety is a commodity. When asked about how legalizing concealed carry on college campuses would affect his work, Timmons said, “If concealed carry was a reality, we would adapt, we would move forward.

There are many policies I don’t agree with, things I would change if I were president, but that doesn’t change the parameters of my job.”

Perhaps more impressive than the rigorous training is the fact that Timmons’ officers have logged nearly 1000 hours of community service within the last year with organizations such as True Blue Neighbors, The American Heart Association, Safe Kids USA, Salvation Army, Dream Center (an Inner-City Organization), and Camp BandAid.

THE COLLEGIAN : 5

Eye on the world:

NEWS

24 SEPTEMBER 2012 dispute might trigger a trade war between Asia’s two biggest economies, but several economists note that the two countries are highly dependent on the other and that trade sanctions would significantly affect the whole continent.

India

Magdalena Sudibjo Student Writer Africa SENEGAL The members of the Senegalese parliament have voted to abolish the Senate in order to help victims of recent floods, which have taken at least 13 lives and left thousands homeless.

President Macky Sall claimed that the $15 million reserved for the Senate will help to get the country’s economy back on its feet and prevent more flooding.

As most of the 100 senators were supporters of the previous president, critics say the move

was more political than charitable.

Others argued that the Senate had been unproductive and partial, noting that nearly half of its members had been appointed by the head of state.

Just a few days before President Sall announced his decision to abolish the Senate earlier last month, Senegalese citizens had denounced the government in the streets of Dakar for failing to deal with the natural disaster more effectively.

Asia CHINA Riots against Japanese policy spread throughout China over

some disputed islands east of mainland Asia, called Senkaku by the Japanese and Diaoyu by the Chinese.

Demonstrators have attacked the Japanese embassy and vandalized several Japanese-made cars, electronics and other products, many of which were owned by Chinese citizens. Japanese businesses, like Toyota, temporarily closed down their Chinese branches to wait out the violence.

The situation first ignited when Japan bought the of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea from a private Japanese owner. Claiming rightful ownership of the territory, China sent warships to the area and fired warning shots.

Concern has arisen that the land

TU, OU partner on med school Projected medical school partnership will provide vital, needed health services.

Andres Gomez Student Writer

The University of Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma will be partnering in the near future to oversee a comprehensive medical school. The two universities already partner in a physician’s assistant training program, and in the coming years they plan to expand this into a full medical school.

The OU School of Community Medicine, headed by Dr. Gerald Clancy, will serve as the foundation of the partnership. Clancy gave some of the reasons Tulsa, and Oklahoma as a whole, is in need of a dramatic change in health service.

For example, he said, Oklahoma is in the bottom quartile of health system performance in the U.S. The state has one of the highest mortality rates associated with health care, and is one of the top states in obesity. Oklahoma is ranked 46th in the nation in number of physicians per capita, and

one of the lowest in overall health system performance. The city of Tulsa itself has serious divisions in services and community health throughout the city.

The planned school is in part a response to these facts. As a school of “community medicine” the partnership’s mission will be “to improve the health of entire communities, especially those who have limited access to medical care (and) those living in poverty,” Clancy said.

TU offers a way for the OU Community Medicine program to graduate more doctors as well as provide students and faculty to the medical school. TU already has a well-equipped faculty to teach the fundamental sciences “for the first two years of education, while OU will hire for the third and fourth years,” Dr. Jeffrey Alderman, a physician working for OU Tulsa said.

The program will offer all required medical school classes as well as training in handling patients living in poverty and those with little to no access to health care. Each student will learn how to work as a team with other bodies of the health industry to make treatment and the outcome much

more efficient and much safer.

Students will be involved in patient care from the very beginning to familiarize them with patient treatment, something that traditional medical school students would not do until their second or third year of medical school.

This unique program will provide motivated students with a curriculum that is better oriented towards the future of medicine, patient care and research. The school will also offer a fast-track program in which students will complete two years of undergraduate work and then proceed on to medical school.

The school has a projected date of 2015, but there have been a number of trial runs, “summer programs where incoming and existing members of the med school have done practice sessions around the new curriculum, and that’s gone real well,” Clancy said.

The school will offer much to TU, OU, Tulsa and Oklahoma, but still has some time before its opening. “The school is a work in progress with changes and improvements over time, improvements which will greatly affect medical care in five to ten years,” Alderman said.

TU founded on Presbyterian roots Historically affiliated with the Presbyterian church, TU continues to embody its historical mission.

Victoria McGouran Staff Writer

Due to the large number of campus ministries at the University of Tulsa, students are often surprised to discover that TU is officially a Presbyterian university. This discovery inevitably raises questions about religious diversity on campus and what being a Presbyterian university actually means.

One of the most important things to remember when raising those questions is that the University of Tulsa has been affiliated with the Presbyterian church since its founding. TU began as the Presbyterian School for Girls in Muskogee.

This religious heritage followed the school when it became Henry Kendall College and remained at the forefront of university philosophy when the school eventually merged with McFarlin College to become the University of Tulsa.

Although the university’s history is an important reason why TU remains Presbyterian-affiliat-

ed, students may wonder if being “Presbyterian” actually affects anything in the lives of TU students.

One of the most visible effects is on the university motto. “Wisdom, Faith and Service---these words come from deep within the history of our university and continues to shape the university’s ongoing ethos,” said TU chaplain Dr. Jeffrey Francis. “They truly provide a living presence and reminder of the solid, historical, religious foundations of the University of Tulsa by the Presbyterian Church.

Those three words describe the completeness or wholeness of a person toward which the university strives in her mission.”

Another main effect of TU’s religious affiliation can be viewed in the central location of Sharp Chapel and the numerous programs that it officiates on campus. Dr. Francis stated that many students may not realize what a lively place Sharp Chapel is during the academic year.

“Currently, we see somewhere between 500 to 600 students, staff and faculty come through the doors of Sharp Chapel per week,” he said. Sharp Chapel also houses many campus ministries that do not have their own meeting space,

as well as the offices of the chaplain.

“Since 1959, the chaplain of the University of Tulsa – for the majority of those years – has been a Presbyterian minister,” said Dr. Francis, “In 2005, after the successful renovation and reconstruction of Sharp Chapel, the chapel established the endowed position of Sharp Chaplain. I have the very distinct honor of being the first to be named to this position.”

While having an official chaplain further cements TU’s covenant affiliation with the Presbyterian church, perhaps the primary effect of being a Presbyterian university is reflected in an earlier image of the university seal, in which the words “Wisdom” and “Faith” are linked.

This symbolic linkage remains visible today in the linking of McFarlin Library and Sharp Chapel through a common plaza in the heart of the campus. According to Francis, the philosophy of balancing knowledge with faith is still reflected in the university mission statement, which affirms its dedication to the pursuit of “excellence in scholarship, dedication to free inquiry, integrity of character, and commitment to humanity.”

Millions of workers and shop owners went on a one-day nationwide strike in India to protest against recent retail reforms and a 14-percent rise in subsidized diesel prices.

The new reforms allow for more foreign supermarket chains like Walmart to invest in India, which may threaten the existence of many small businesses. Supporters of the reforms, however, argue that the new retail system will increase India’s living standards and create more jobs.

The main opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, orchestrated the large-scale protest, which shut down major parts of Calcutta and Bangalore but had varied participation in the rest of the country.

In Mumbai and the country’s capital, New Delhi, business continued as usual.

Europe FRANCE “The Original Condom Company” has been charged a 10,000 Euro fine for falsely advertising its product as coming from the town

of Condom, France.

The two Frenchmen who own the company had cited an unoccupied address in the town as their business location.

Though accustomed to the famous association, Mayor Bernard Gallardo stated that the false advertisement would have damaged the town’s tourism. The municipality, population 7,000, boasts traditional French cuisine and historic mansions.

The “Original Condom” is in fact made in Malaysia.

North America MEXICO The Zetas, one of Mexico’s most violent drug cartels, assisted in the breaking of 132 inmates out of a Mexican prison just outside the Texas border.

The perpetrators allegedly escaped during daylight through a long tunnel after a violent gunfight broke out with the prison guards. The prison director and 15 other staff members were put under house arrest, pending an investigation of their involvement in the prison break.

41 prison guards were charged as co-conspirators during a similar incident in 2010.

With the recent arrest of Gulf cartel leader Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sanchez, experts anticipate even greater violence as the Zetas and Sinala cartels vie for the Gulf’s weakened territory.

For up-to-date versions of the Campus Crime Watch, visit the NEW Collegian website at: www.tucollegian.com.

From Stead on cover we’re in a good place.” He expressed confidence in TU’s trajectory. “The university is strong and still moving in all the right directions,” he said.

Upham was specific about some of those directions, which include keeping TU’s average class size low. “We have a growing number of classes that are larger than we would like, and I think that’s affecting our ranking a little bit,” he said. “For the environment we’re seeking to create, that’s too large.”

Upham also cited continuing internationalization and the building of the new School of Community Medicine as top priorities for his “second tour of duty.”

Upham noted that TU recently closed on the Hartford building, the downtown facility that will house the new medical school. He also highlighted the ground-breaking on a new building at the Gilcrease Museum, which TU owns.

While Upham, frequently nicknamed “Stead,” is a familiar face at the university, he noted that “there

are 800 plus students I haven’t met,” referring to TU’s largest freshman class. Asked what these students should know about him, Upham replied, “I’m tall.”

Upham said students should know that “I value quality and I value rigor. I certainly want all of our students to get the kind of education that’s going to carry them into the next stage of their lives.”

He expressed concern over the financial difficulties faced by students in a sluggish economy. “It’s been a real struggle for a lot of families to put their kids through TU and I know a lot of students are working,” he said.

Regardless of TU’s sudden change of leadership, Upham said he had “every confidence that we’re going to be just fine,” emphasizing TU’s growth during his previous tenure. “Hopefully there will be a willingness to look back and see what we’ve done and how I’ve led and what my style is,” he said. “That’s not going to change.”

“We ran a pretty steady ship, and I look forward to that kind of steady ship again,” Upham added.

president Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Otherwise, Grover Cleveland, the only US president to serve non-consecutive terms, happens to be one of my favorite presidents in history. And I could say the same about Steadman Upham, the first TU president to serve non-consecutive terms in the University’s top office as of the first of October. Dr. Upham’s willingness to come out of retirement to lead TU during this time of upheaval shows tremendous devotion and courage. We owe him a large debt of gratitude.

Did you know that the Student Association pays for TU students to enjoy cheap tickets at the local alternative movie theater here in Tulsa? Circle Cinema, which is just a mile and a half west of campus, offers TU Two Dollar Tuedays, where admittance to any film is just $2 for you when you show your student ID. There are four different films showing there this Tuesday—check it out at www. circlecinema.com!

Now indulge me for just a minutes while I vent my excitement about TU football: If you weren’t in the stands at Chapman Stadium for that wild win over Fresno State on Saturday, you missed out! Trey Watts’s trick touchdown pass to Thomas Roberson was electrifying, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the student section get more involved.

We have a couple weeks off from home games in football. I encourage you to check out some of the other TU teams while football is on the road. Men’s soccer hosts top 25-ranked Creighton on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., and women’s soccer takes on Colorado College at the same time on Friday. Soccer is hypnotic to watch on TV, but watching it live is thrilling. Don’t let the season sneak past you!

Best, John Lepine SA President

variety

24 SEPTEMBER 2012

THE COLLEGIAN : 6

Honey Boo Boo astounds TLC’s latest spin-off, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” shocks critics while addressing the importance of family.

Eric DiGiacomo Student Writer

It has been a while since a show and its characters have created a real media firestorm, even during the “Jersey Shore”-era reality TV landscape. Well, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” a TLC reality show spin-off of “Toddlers and Tiaras,” which focused on beauty pageants for the grade school set.

Seven-year-old Alana “Honey Boo Boo Child” Thompson was one of the many featured contestants who became a viral sensation due to timeless quotes like “A dollar makes me holler, honey boo boo child,” and the side effects of her Mountain Dew/energy drink cocktail.

Already, the show has proven an instant hit, garnering higher ratings than the Republican National Convention and just about tying the Democrats.

However, the critics have not been so gentle on Honey Boo Boo and the rest of her stereotypically nicknamed family—“Sugar Bear” and “Chickadee,” that is, her father Mike and her sister Anna.

One critic said, “Seems to me

she’s desperate to stay in the spotlight. And all I can say to that is, ‘Honey, bye-bye.’”

Another opined, “If you haven’t yet put your affairs in order, this would be a propitious time to do so. The world as we know it is about to end. How do I know?

Because Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.” The Thompson Family’s forehead-slapping activities—which include The Redneck Olympics, a homemade slip n’ slide and Elvisinspired pageant dances—sent shockwaves across America.

After watching an episode of “Boo Boo,” it fails to leave any sort of polarizing impression. The Thompson family may be rough and round around the edges, but they are not as disgusting or vile as suggested. Honey Boo Boo is precocious, irreverent and has no filter—but are those really unique qualities in a seven-year-old?

Moreover, her “special juice” has been a central point in nearly every criticism; as if no other parent has provided their child with a highly caffeinated or sugary beverage.

Unfortunately, critics fail to point out the positives here. Sure, the Thompsons are dysfunctional—Chickadee is 17 and pregnant, no one misses an opportunity to announce their most recent fart and Mama June has something wrong going on with her neck— but they are happy. Despite careful editing by TLC to create some sort of conflict, this family is living, laughing and loving one another.

While child pageantry is becoming a taboo practice in the US, (while we praise gymnastics, a strikingly similar activity) Mama June is not the victory-obsessed or childhood-robbing stage mother.

Honey Boo Boo seems to be living quite the childhood, as evidenced by her consolation present of a teacup pig which she quickly befriends.

There is a fairly traditional family dynamic; neither parent is absentee or overly narcissistic.

The family spends a lot of quality time together. June is a competent mother, and the inter-familial insults are something they all can laugh at. Honey Boo Boo is incredibly confident, not only for a child her age, but for anyone.

Despite TLC’s attempts to exploit the Thompson family into the premiere example of trash television, there is intriguingly poignant moment between Honey Boo Boo and her pig, in which Honey Boo Boo explains she will dress her pig up as a female and prompt him into a “gay pageant pig.”

In what could be regarded as an incredibly offensive moment, this little girl is not only endearing but also progressive, as she proclaims “you can’t tell him how to live his life!” The ball is in your court, TLC. Although they are not likely to become one of the all-time great TV families, viewers should “redneckgonize” that the Thompsons have an undeniable charm and are here to stay for a while.

Photo courtesy Capcom

Ryan Martinez / Collegian

Smoke features contemporary takes on traditional American favorites, such as the grilled quail featured above. The tender meat is accompanied by leafy greens and a spoonful of raisins.

Smoke sizzles Located on 15th Street—not to far from campus—Smoke serves up delectable dishes, certain to excite the palate.

Ryan Martinez Student Writer

My latest culinary adventure was splendid. Instead of perspiring for a few miles up the hills of our neighborhood, I hired my grandfather and his brother as private chauffeurs. I did not pay them.

The reason for my fine dining experience was a booked birthday dinner my grandfather and I were invited to at the last minute.

Being the classy birthday girl that she is, my great-aunt reserved a table on sweet, sweet Cherry Street.

Apollo was pulling the sun to the other side of the globe when we strolled up underneath the neon sign, which read “Smoke.” Smoke is located at 1542 E. 15th St.—not too far from campus—so I am certain that there are some readers who have heard of this lofty spot.

The “woodfire grill” featured on the sign guided my entrée decision, and the relaxed and mellow ambiance was extremely appealing.

My observations of other customers left me feeling a tad inferior about my own attire; which is to say, patrons should make an effort to dress up.

Fans of the “Resident Evil” series will be pleased to find that many familiar faces, such as Leon S. Kennedy, Ada Wong and Chris Redfield play leading roles in the latest installment in the series. In addition, Capcom introduces a variety of new characters, such as Jake Muller, who have a role in combating the imminent global threat.

“I need backup!”—evil goes global in “Resident Evil 6”

With the upcoming release of “Resident Evil 6,” Capcom has moved away from the typical survival-horror series, and on to a first-person shooter style game.

Elliot Bauman Student Writer

With the release of “Resident Evil 6,” only a week away, Japanese game developer Capcom recently released a demo for this latest upcoming title in the popular survival-horror game series.

While numerous spin-offs have been released in the past three years, “Resident Evil 6” will be the next major installment in the series, following the events of 2009’s “Resident Evil 5.” The upcoming game advances the Resident Evil series in many ways.

For the first time in the series, “Resident Evil 6” features three different storylines for players to follow. Each storyline tells the tale of the game from the perspective of one of the three main characters. Fans of the franchise will be pleased by the return of several familiar faces.

Counter-bioterrorism soldier Chris Redfield, protagonist of “RE 5,” returns as one of the central characters. In addition to Redfield, Secret Service agent Leon Kennedy, absent from the series since 2005’s “RE 4,” also returns.

The third main protagonist is new character Jake Muller, a random mercenary who has inexpli-

cably been given the major role, despite having almost no background or appearances in the previous games.

Continuing on the success of “RE 5”’s two-player cooperative mode, each of the three main characters is supported by a partner.

The partners are playable via splitscreen or online cooperative play.

The events of “RE 6” are dramatically more grandiose than those of previous games. In sharp contrast to earlier titles, which have always focused on infectious outbreaks in a single location, the story of “Resident Evil 6” has gone entirely global. The game’s plot will take the characters to China, Eastern Europe, the United States and a number of other locations.

By failing to contain the infection outbreak, the evil pharmaceutical corporation Umbrella has placed the entire world in danger, and the fate of humanity is uncertain. Taking on the role of Redfield, Kennedy or Muller, players will combat the hordes of zombies and mutants in an attempt to end the global threat.

“RE 6”’s gameplay is also very different from previous games in the series. For one, the game adds a new melee system, which enables players to strike or kick at will. For those unfamiliar with the series, previous Resident Evil games required the player to respond to an on-screen prompt to initiate a physical attack.

Furthermore, the item selection process has also been revamped.

Instead of having to open a specific item selection screen, players now

equip all weapons and grenades by cycling through a single massive menu. The traditional healing system has also been changed; regeneration is accomplished by hitting a single button.

Longtime fans will be pleased to know that the shooting system remains unchanged from RE 4 and 5, with the exception that reloading can now be performed on the move. Capcom has also added a new “level-up” system, which allows players to increase their character’s attributes through the collection of “Skill Points.”

It is very clear that Capcom has taken the Resident Evil series in an entirely new direction with “RE 6.” For a series that began as true survival-horror, with players struggling to find basic survival items and ammo, Resident Evil has transformed into an all actionoriented third-person shooter.

From the demo and gameplay revealed thus far, there is very little horror. Ammo and items are plentiful, and the characters are essentially super-soldiers, able to execute advanced acrobatic, martial art and shooting techniques.

Despite the fact that fans of the series may be disappointed with the various changes, “RE 6” is definitely a promising game. It looks graphically beautiful, and it is very clear that Capcom has worked hard to produce a quality product.

Most importantly, the game is fun and exciting to play. “RE 6” hits the shelves on Oct. 2, and will be available on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC platforms.

Smoke’s menu takes an eclectic approach to contemporary American cuisine: specialty salads, bruschetta, signature western beef—all modern yet agreeable culinary interpretations. At Smoke, chicken fingers and bacon cheeseburgers do not make the cut.

Lunch prices are cheaper than the $6–18 appetizer menu or $15–58 dinner menu. Their 24-oz. ribeyes must be absolutely superb, or at least they should be for the price.

Having never been fortunate enough to try it before, I ordered the grilled quail. Well-seasoned slices of bread accompanied by a small ramekin of rosemary-topped butter arrived before the main course. Regret will follow those who refuse to try the complimentary side, especially if everyone else is grunting with satisfaction.

Black-clad servers arrived with the fair fowl dish. Spicy, crispy, juicy scrumptiousness danced along my taste buds in the form of tender meat, leafy greens and a spoonful of raisins. As an added bonus, I did not choke on the typically hazardous avian bones. Ever charitable, my great-uncle let me devour the last of his bread pudding, a moist dessert immersed in crème brulée-esque sauce.

The wait staff was very attentive and deserving of a generous tip.

Wondering how some of those sauces would taste with something in your fridge? Smoke actually sells bottles of their ambrosial condiments. Fond of cigars? Smoke is notorious for being one of the few restaurants with a humidor. Enjoy.

By Helen Patterson

How to Get Your Professors to Like You 1. First of all, forget all that nonsense about being yourself. That is a Disney Channel propaganda lie. No one likes you the way you are, especially not your professors.

However, if you follow these tips, you will soon be a loveable, insincere hypocrite like the rest of us.

2. Participate in class. But don’t raise your hand; that’s so high school. Speak your mind. Say anything and everything that you are thinking. Every word that passes uncensored from your lips is a pearl of wisdom.

3. Professors are people.

People like it when you laugh at their jokes. So don’t forget to guffaw at absolutely everything your professor says.

4. Your grades depend heavily on how much you flatter your professors. Write them odes. Compose epic poems in which they are the heroes. Orate lavishly on what excellent human beings they are.

5. Professors, especially adjuncts, are chronically underpaid. Make them presents of food, fancy imported wines, “Sports Illustrated” subscriptions and

all the other necessities of life.

6. Professors love when their students come to see them. But don’t just stop by during office hours! Find out where your professors live, tell everyone you know, and arrange a surprise party!

7. Most professors are too busy toiling away upon the thorny weed-infested path to tenure to form meaningful relationships. So buy them all a puppy. Actually, buy them two or three puppies. Puppies are a man’s best friend, and three puppies are always better than one.

8. Grading papers is a treat.

The longer the papers are, the happier your professors are.

So, don’t be afraid to write papers that are two or three times as long as the professor requests. Especially freshman composition papers.

9. The professor is always right. Nod furiously at everything he or she says.

When you do any kind of writing assignment, parrot back everything the professor said. You lose points for original thought.

10. Remember that professors live to make you suffer. Complain loudly and often and they will be happy.

opinion

THE COLLEGIAN : 7

24 SEPTEMBER 2012

Is TU a Presbyterian school in name only?

Many students may not know that TU has a rich history as a Presbyterian college.

However, as the school grows increasingly secular, the administration should figure out how it wants to define itself, especially when religion is taking a backseat in many students’ priorities.

Oscar Ho Student Writer

Many of you have heard this in some form or fashion: “The University of Tulsa is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.”

Most of you probably heard that, taken one look at fraternity row, and said “Come on now--is it really?”

Yes, we are affiliated It turns out that TU is in fact affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA, but the relationship between the two is extremely subtle. Concrete signs of the relationship are likewise few and far between.

An “official religion” is nowhere to be found – the University’s dedication to diversity proves just that. TU is a place of remarkable cultural, religious, political and other forms of diversity.

Considering the on-campus presence of Catholic, Baptist and Muslim missions, among many others, it is not difficult to imagine that the Presbyterians are some-

how, somewhere mixed in to the religious world at TU. In fact, the Presbyterians are still around.

Sharp Chapel is a direct result of the their influence on TU. Sharp Chapel was established

by Robert C. Sharp and his wife, both of whom were very prominent and active Presbyterians.

is independent. TU and the church are still related, in a way. Though the relationship may be similar to

ably will not want to sue someone over it. Most of the covenant concerns TU and the Synod’s willing-

two people sharing some greatgreat-mother-in-law, it still retains some significance.

ness to cooperate in supporting a quality education.

The only portion that influences the everyday life of TU is the section concerning the Chaplain, whose office is commissioned solely by the covenant.

By this time, you are probably thinking, “Whatever a covenant is, it seem largely powerless.” And you are probably right.

We were objectively religious The Presbyterians have historically been very committed to education. In the words of Sharp Chaplain Dr. Jeffery Francis, they believed that “everything around us is a gift from God,” and that education is necessary to understand that gift.

Motivated by that reasoning, Presbyterians built schools wherever they had influence. In Muskogee, Okla., the Presbyterian Church built a school for Native American women in 1894. That school became Henry Kendall College and later the University of Tulsa.

TU’s early days were heavily influenced by the Church.

Many early University presidents were Presbyterian ministers. The Church appointed the entire Board of Trustees and heavily funded the school.

Some of the University’s first classes in Tulsa were held in First Presbyterian Church downtown.

In a sense, TU was thoroughly a religious school at one time.

Things have obviously changed quite a bit since. In 1928, the school’s charter was significantly changed, making the board of trustees independent of the church.

We could reasonably and correctly conclude that because the leadership of TU is largely independent of the church, TU itself

No longer officially on campus TU is no longer a Presbyterian school. It is properly known—read “politically correctly”—as “covenantally affiliated” with the Presbyterians. TU’s relationship with the church is defined in “The Covenant Between the University of Tulsa and the Synod of the Sun.” The covenant is what that now remains of the once-strong connections between the Church and the school.

Even then, it is more of a glorified memorandum of understanding than anything else. You prob-

Where does that put TU? Now that you are completely bored with all this history, you probably wonder if we as TU can legitimately call ourselves a Presbyterian-related institution.

If we wanted to be politically correct, yes, we can call ourselves

that with all honesty. But when we go to class or take a walk around campus, we see nothing particularly churchy.

In everyday life, the Presbyterian influence is almost no more.

It is true that First Presbyterian Church, in downtown Tulsa, conducts activities at Sharp Chapel for TU students. It is true that anyone can visit Chaplain Jeff Francis in Sharp Chapel.

It is true that the church is acknowledged in the university’s mission statement, various pledges, and the like. But is the Church involved in the practical activities or administration of the school?

No. For many years now, TU has invoked its Presbyterian roots, but it remains a secular institution.

This school needs to decide what it wants to be.

If it really values the church, it needs to get past the nomenclature and ceremony. The church needs to make a practical difference in the everyday life of the University.

If TU actually wants to be as independent and secular as ever, it should consider clarifying its affiliation to that end.

We cannot have TU sitting on the fence. If we were to look at ourselves and ask, “Are we really related to the church?” we would have to acknowledge that this is a strange arrangement.

TU’s relationship with the Presbyterian Church exists on paper.

From all practical perspectives, we are not any more Presbyterian than we are Catholic or anything else.

We will always remember who we were, and with great pride, but we need to decide who we are today.

Romney’s remarks show he is unfit for POTUS Romney called 47 percent of the United States population dependent on the government and said that it is not his job to care about them. Romney’s comments show that he does not deserve to become president when he does not care for almost half of the population.

Myriah Downs

Student Writer

In video footage leaked last week, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney referred to the roughly 47 percent of the American population who do not pay federal income taxes as “dependent upon

government, who believe that they are victims… who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it.”

Romney went on to say, “[My] job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

What sets this event apart from others is that it was not staged.

Unlike most remarks and interviews with political candidates, which have a strict script, this was a chance for Americans to understand what values are at the heart of Romney’s campaign.

These statements, untainted by political white noise, are overwhelmingly important. Romney’s murky campaign goals have come into complete focus behind closed doors in a setting that was meant to be away from the ears of the American public.

Romney’s remarks regarding the 47 percent are in line with comments he gave while campaigning for the GOP nomination. In one in-

terview, Romney told CNN that he is “[not concerned with] those people, there are safety nets in place.”

The 47 percent of people who do not pay federal income taxes may be the same people Romney says depend on such “safety nets.”

The problem with statements

nation.

While I am deeply offended by Romney’s statements on a personal level, it also speaks to my great fear that this type of entrenching language is setting our country to take a dramatic backslide to a segregationist period in our history.

“This was a chance for Americans to understand what values are at the heart of Romney’s campaign” such as this is that they draw a dichotomy among the American people.

Such divisive language has never aided in any progressive movement and sets itself in stark comparison to Barack Obama’s campaign rhetoric of Americans moving forward together as one

The only difference in this version of events is that the division will instead be based on class rather than race and ethnicity.

At this point it is necessary to address those readers who will believe my previous statements to be based on fallacy and speculation.

Romney’s statement constituted

his own admission that he views the American public as two separate groups. His acknowledgement of division and his admission that he will in no way work to remedy it should strike fear into the hearts of all Americans.

When one who seeks the highest office in the nation has made statements admitting that he does not consider things so basic as food, housing and healthcare to be basic rights, we should look to the future and examine the logical endpoint of this mind set.

That future looks like a battle between the two emerging classes of Americans to remain as one united people.

Most of the 47 percent of Americans who are not the focus of Romney’s campaign fall into a category that will be left behind if he is victorious in November.

The harsh reality of this fact should serve as a rallying cry to Americans that now is the time to work together to move forward as a nation.

Christians imperfect, still working on it

Although, on the surface, Christianity can seem insensitive, its messages should be about loving others simply because they, too, are humans. Please do not judge Christianity as a whole due to the mistakes of some misguided followers.

Katie McGouran

Student Writer

I’m sorry.

Odds are, at some point in your life, you have been hurt by a Christian. Because of this, I want to begin by telling you that I wish you had not been wronged, aggrieved or alienated by someone in my family.

You see, Christians believe that we are brothers and sisters, part of one body, and united by the blood

of Jesus Christ, who died on a cross as perfect atonement for our sins. The Bible says, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body (Colossians 3:12-15).”

We are a family, charged with holding each other accountable to “love our neighbors as ourselves.”

We are also imperfect, totally depraved, disastrously flawed people. That is why we fail. That is why we do not always love others like we should. But we are a family. For this reason, I have the right to apologize to you on behalf of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I’m sorry.

Because of our university’s history and mutually articulated covenant with the Presbyterian Church, organizations that claim Christianity are in the majority on our campus, regardless of whether we can bear that responsibility properly or not.

The message of Christianity is ultimately about love, and I

sincerely hope that you have not been disenchanted with Christianity, and more specifically Jesus, because one of my brothers or sisters has lost sight of his or her ultimate purpose and offended you with self-righteous indignation or legalistic judgments about your beliefs.

A Christian seeks to share the joy, peace and hope that we enjoy with others, and ultimately desires to become more like Jesus.

But we are messed-up folks, and borrowing from Jonathan Acuff, author of “Stuff Christians Like,” we enjoy “being slightly less nice than Mormons, disguising gossip

College is a time to seek wisdom, value inquiry and enjoy respectful discussion with fellow students of other faiths and worldviews. I strongly believe that a person should stand by his or her principles, but unfortunately the integrity I am describing frequently becomes distorted, sustaining parochialism and hampering the exchange of ideas.

as prayer, wondering if we are worth anything, and praying God will fix situations as long as we are not the solution.”

I am speaking for all Christians when I say that we are terrible at loving each other. And we are even more incompetent when it comes to loving non-Christians, because you are not like us, and when we are at our worst that makes us feel

“We would love you unconditionally, show you respect by virtue of our mutual humanity”

prideful.

Even though we have no right, we behave like we are better than you are because we live our lives in a different manner, a manner which we consider to be right.

I’m sorry.

It is not that we want to fail at loving you. According to the Bible, we are waging an internalized war: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate (Romans 7:15 English Standard Version).” This is akrasia, a term derived from Greek, which refers to being in the state of acting against one’s better judgment.

I am not trying to convince you that Christianity is true or that Jesus is the way to eternity, but I am trying to help you see past our own hypocrisy, and emphasize that the God we are supposed to represent would never treat you the way we do.

While I will not varnish my opinion, I do want to make my love for the body of Christ clear. We are not hopelessly resigned to the

See Sorry page 8

Opinion

24 SEPTEMBER 2012

THE COLLEGIAN : 8

Should government be innocent of “Innocence of Muslims”?

The US government should not have denounced the filmmakers of the “Innocence of Muslims,” as it reveals an inherent disbelief in the ideal of freedom of speech. Even if what a person has to say is terrible, the US government must defend it on principle.

Beate Hall

Student Writer

The US government was wrong to denounce the video that sparked protests in Egypt, Libya and other Middle Eastern nations. The video in question described one man’s view Islamic history, was presented as historical fiction, and was the sole cause of the worldwide riots.

These three points mean that the video ought to have been defended, not condemned by the government.

One of the great things about the US is the First Amendment right to free speech. Free speech does not include shouting “Fire!” in a theater, crowded or otherwise, but it does allow people to express their opinions.

The video in question is the sadly misinformed opinion of a small group of radical people who presented their opinion via film.

Regardless of how much I disagree with what was said by the filmmakers, it is still their right

to say it. If they had been saying such things to someone in person, it would be considered boorish or bullying.

Society in general frowns upon such things, but they remain within the rights of free speech. Author Evelyn Beatrice Hall summed up one of Voltaire’s philosophies as “I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Free speech means we are allowed to put our feet in our mouths and eat crow after saying the wrong thing. As much as I disagree with the viewpoint presented in the video, it is still the filmmakers’ right to create such a thing, and the government should stand behind the filmmakers, not denounce them.

Historical fiction is protected under the free speech rights. Were it presented as fact, this video could have been grounds for libel or defamation suits, but as is, the video presents an inaccurate depiction of a historical figure, albeit the leader of a major world religion.

Historical fiction often strays from the facts without upsetting a vast majority of people, but this video managed to do just that simply because its subject was the Prophet Muhammad.

By denouncing this video, the US government is allowing for all future pieces of historical fiction, especially those that are created on film, to be subjected to what would essentially amount to a fact check on the part of the government lest the film produced would offend another nation.

I enjoy some of Mel Brooks’ films that are offensive to large

groups of people and presented as historical fiction. Monty Python’s “The Life of Brian,” which parodies the life of Jesus, incited some protests upon its release, but now it is considered an off-color comedy classic.

Finally, the protests and riots that have cost American lives were not entirely caused by this film, the primary reason that many are giving for its denouncement.

According to some sources, the rioters came prepared with rocket-propelled grenades and other heavy weapons, leading analysts to the conclusion that the riots were a cover for acts of terrorism.

The film itself was shown by clerics who wanted their congregations to rise up and protest against the US instead of remaining complacent.

Other countries do not have the same freedoms that we do in the US, but that does not mean their opinions should matter more than our freedom of expression--even expression that others find insulting. Freedom of speech is a twoedged sword; we may use it to dissent against the actions or our government, or to say hateful, bigoted things.

My mother is fond of saying every dollar spent is a mission statement about who you are and what you believe.

The people who created this film put their money into this film and it is our duty as US citizens to defend their rights to say even the most idiotic of things.

It is high time the government remembered that the government is by the people, for the people, and of the people, no matter how wrong we might be.

TU renews religious opportunity The opportunity for spiritual exploration that is available at the University of Tulsa is incredibly important.

Because spiritaual growth is connected with intellectual growth, it is amazing that TU gives its students the opportunity to explore themselves spiritually.

Steven Buchele

Student Writer

The active presence of Christian campus ministries is very important to me; it was one of the major reasons I chose to attend the Uni-

versity of Tulsa.

College is a time of learning.

We learn about our subjects, about ourselves and about others, so it is only natural that we should also want to learn about God. In this time of our lives where we are forming our future, it is only right that we desire a grounding in faith.

Honestly, the average student is not going to seek out opportunities to grow in faith alone. Fortunately, the involved and active campus ministries make discovering a faith community so much easier. These ministries are seeking us out, just as God is seeking us out.

I chose TU for two main reasons: academics and religious opportunities. Both held equal weight in my mind because scholastic inquiry is a profoundly spiritual act.

We were given rational and curious minds to explore God’s creation. It is funny that as we learn more about the mechanics of our world, the universe does not be-

come smaller.

As we explore, we begin to understand that the universe is infinitely complex. Those who are on the cutting edge of discovery are faced every day with the fearful and wonderful realization that we will never grasp the full complexity of creation.

So, too, are we creatures of creation. When we were created in “God’s own image,” we were given the ability to create, something no other animal has. Invention, too, is a deeply spiritual exercise, for through it we glorify our creator by imitating him.

I think that a college or place of learning that divorces itself from religion divorces itself from meaning. There is a reason that the oldest and most respected universities were founded upon religious principles: because growth and the pursuit of knowledge is, at its heart, a spiritual journey through creation.

The US government was right to condemn the “Innoncence of Muslims,” as its creation was instrumental in the motivation for several deadly attacks. The film’s creator clearly intended the film to be taken negatively, as it takes blatant liberties with Islam’s history.

Eric DiGiacomo

Student Writer

There is a good chance you have not yet heard of the year’s most influential movie. It is not a superhero blockbuster or an art house favorite, but an obscure film entitled “Innocence of Muslims.” This film was released on YouTube in English and Arabic by a man calling himself Sam Bacile. Some critics have labeled it a satire, while others have called it a piece of trash.

However, most can agree that it is incredibly offensive.

Governments all around the world have criticized the production of “Innocence of Muslims,” and with good reason. A video like this is not just smutty poor taste to laugh at; it has instigated violent reactions all over the world.

Egypt’s government has stepped out and accused the filmmakers of defamation and harming the nation’s unity.

The Egyptian government, as well as others, recently banned this video, and the government exercised its control in a proper way.

On Sept. 11, 3,000 protesters attacked the US embassy in Egypt and replaced the American flag with a black Islamist flag. In Libya, a group of more than 100 protesters attacked the American embassy, killing three, including US Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.

This was an act of terrorism, and more such violence may occur as a direct consequence of this movie.

This underscores the need for these governments to force YouTube to block this video, which has disrupted peace in an extreme way. If YouTube had not decided to enforce a temporary ban on the video, the damage could have become even worse, leading to violence on a broader scale.

YouTube must take accountability for its actions in this case and exercise more control over its content. Though it may not be illegal for these videos to be accessible on the internet, the situation calls for corporate social responsibility.

YouTube has temporarily blocked the video in some countries, but has kept it online in the US. Supporting the concept of free speech is admirable and defendable, but why has YouTube not made any effort to screen videos of this offensive nature?

“Innocence of Muslims” is provocative to Muslims, and not far removed from hate speech. In the video, Muhammad is not only fictionalized but also mocked.

If depicting the Prophet Muhammad in art is considered sacrilege in the Muslim world, this is bordering on slander. In the video, Muhammad is characterized as a foolish womanizer without real religious conviction.

More than anything, this creates a spiritual conflict. Just as with the American media’s treatment of Christianity, in which popes and nuns are portrayed satirically, it essentially diminishes the entirety of Islamic culture and history.

However, the main issue lies with the underlying purpose of this video. It was created by an alleged Israeli American who is actually believed to be Nakoula Bassely Nakoula, an Egyptian-American Coptic Christian. Nakoula created this video with the intent to enrage people.

He was probably aware of the level of controversy it could generate, much like previous efforts of Floridian pastor Terry Jones, who oversaw a burning of the Quran.

Though it would not have made things better if it was purely done for a laugh, the fact that Nakoula showed so little regard for the film’s consequences makes this video deserving of condemnation.

From Sorry page 8 often fall short of who we aim selfish existence I have described; Christianity does not promise us perfection in this life, but constant and merciful transformation.

If Christians always acted like we should, then we would love you unconditionally, show you respect by virtue of our mutual humanity and never make you feel like you are unworthy.

But it is difficult to consistently behave in this fashion, and we

to be. If no Christian has ever had the guts to admit his or her shortcomings to you, let me: I am completely hopeless when left to my own devices and “the saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost (I Timothy 1:15).” But through the inexhaustible grace of God, I am learning to love you better.

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.

Emergency Food Pantry Food Drive The Emergency Food Pantry is desperately low on food. Tubs will be placed in John Rogers Hall, Helmerich Hall, Collins Hall, McClure Hall, McFarlin, Holmes Student Center, the University School and Chapman Hall. Desperately need items needed are: Canned vegetables; Canned entrees (pork and beans, chili, spam, other canned beans, spaghetti); Canned fruit; Fruit juice This project is sponsored by the BCM and the True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center United Way Campaign The United Way Campaign is in full swing. Employees remember to turn in your pledge cards and attend as many events as possible. Students, we need your help to. Attend events, for Chili, home-baked goods, order from Harvest Crates, and Chivey’s Sassy Salsa (pre-order), we will also have our auction, and the Fall Festival with all kinds of goodies.

Dates will be posted in advance of events. For question about the United Way, contact co-charis Kathy Shelton at kathy-shelton@utulsa.edu or Lorie Austin at lorieaustin@utulsa.edu.

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.

24 SEPTEMBER 2012

THE COLLEGIAN : 9

From Religion on Cover Exchange Coalition. “We have free fair trade coffee and chat every Monday from 10:30 to 2:30, and Free Veggie Lunch every Wednesday. We are currently trying to decide when Progressive, a spiritual discernment/theological discussion group, will take place,� Eggen said.

As a ministry, UCM offers support, community, pastoral counseling and emergency assistance.

UCM works with a plethora of social

groups, including Kendall-Whittier Inc., the Emergency Food Pantry, Just Hope--a local NGO that works in partnership with communities in Nicaragua on community development initiatives--community gardening initiatives, and International Gift Fair, a community-wide Fair Trade sale that takes place each November to educate and promote fair trade. “We have partnered with the YWCA for their ‘Stand against Racism’ event and their Witnessing Whiteness program,� Eggen said. “We have served meals at the Day Center for the Homeless. Our volunteer

Blow ’Cane

activities are open to the needs of the community and are guided by student interest.�

The Wesley Foundation has been on campus since 1949, and is associated with the United Methodist Church. It operates under the simple mission statement: “To know Christ and make him known.� “It seems like a simple statement,� student Beate Hall said, “but it encompasses all that we do here at the Wesley.�

Wesley’s extremely popular Friday Noon Lunch often draws more than 100 people.

Around 18 dedicated students plan the Wesley’s worship and outreach activities and

From Chick-fi-A page 4

explicitly included sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination policy. University-wide protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity would reaffirm TU’s commitment to the LGBT community.� “These commitments to equal protection will increase the visibility of The University of Tulsa in a positive way and contribute to diversity that makes the campus thrive,�

Chalker said.

When asked about how he would like to see the university act, Dr. Chalker said, “I am proud that the University of Tulsa offers benefits for domestic partnerships. I would very much like if this commitment to all members of the University was made more

help manage the building.

Besides the lunch, Wesley hosts a weekly worship service at 8:45 p.m. called Tuesday Night Live. Here, too, students lead and coordinate a variety of smaller fellowship groups, from a C.S. Lewis reading group to others that “talk about guidance, stress, life in general, and anything else,� Hall said.

The center has a prayer chapel, plays host to ISM and has a game-and-movie night every Saturday. Students are involved with Habitat for Humanity builds and other community service projects. visible to prospective students and employees. A sense of community and inclusiveness is a hallmark of higher education and these are values are evident in the TU’s Mission Statement.�

But, he added, “this does not mean there is no room for improvement. For instance, the TU College of Law has explicitly included sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination policy. University-wide protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity would reaffirm TU’s commitment to the LGBT community.� “These commitments to equal protection will increase the visibility of The University of Tulsa in a positive way and contribute to diversity that makes the campus thrive,� he said.

Check out our new website.

The full newspaper is now online.

TUcollegian.com T:5.125�

J.Christopher Proctor / Collegian

An excited TU fan cheers on the Golden Hurricane in Tulsa’s victory against Nicholls State. The next football home game will be against the University of Texas El Paso on Thursday Oct. 11, as the team will be on the road for the following two weeks.

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Curiosity discovers teapot near Martian surface

Flying Spaghetti Monster sighted above McFarlin Students were shocked to see the noodely appendages of the Flying Spaghetti Monster grace TU’s campus this week.

Helen Patterson Student Writer

Graphic by Jill Graves

The Curiosity rover shocked NASA researchers when it returned this picture, which seems to show a mysterious teapot orbiting the Martian surface. NASA officials are unsure what the picture means for future -exploration of the red planet, but all agree that it is earthshaking for our understanding of our place in the universe. Bertrand Russell was unavailable for comment.

Football surpasses Christianity as predominant religion With millions supplicating local deities in weekly worship, football has now become the most practiced religion in the United States.

J.Christopher Proctor Minister of Propaganda

Researchers at the University of Tulsa have come to the surprising conclusion that Christianity— while once widely popular among Americans—has lost its top spot as the most adhered-to religion in the country.

Football, the upstart new belief system replacing Christianity, has taken the country by storm, winning converts from all walks of life.

“At first we didn’t know whether to even classify this as a religion,” said Jim T. Bow, the lead researcher on the project. “Most of us just assumed it was only a game, but after seeing the intense amount of time, resources and emotion that adherents devoted to the worship of football, it was only fair to include it among the other great world religions.”

Defending the study’s religious classification of football, researchers described mass worship sessions that could last as long as four hours and include as many as

100,000 people, the endless hours spent by followers debating precise theological differences and the well-defined set of rules and hierarchical structure that governs their beliefs.

The study also pointed to the emergence of different denominations of the religion, including the professional, college, high school and recreational branches. Other variants of the religion given cult status in the study are Canadian and Australian Rules.

This shift in religious preference hits close to home, as the University of Tulsa hosts a thriving football community, with well over 20,000 attending this weekend’s service.

The inclusion of football has drawn criticism, but Bow refused to exclude it, saying that “while many of us have been normalized to the presence of football due to years of exposure, it is really more akin to a religion than is commonly believed.”

He also cited regions of the country like Texas and the South, where football has been frankly acknowledged as a religion for decades.

This study mirrors developments seen in Europe, where football—a significantly different religion of the same name—has overshadowed Christianity for at least a generation.

Photo courtesy Lost Angeles

Oddly, some groups have begun to merge their old beliefs with the new beliefs of football. The most striking example comes from Notre Dame, a former Catholic school that has aggressively converted to football.

king There once was a team from Fresno Who thought they would put on a show But old Tulsa was tough and it played the game rough so the bulldogs went home full of woe.

—King John I

It is common knowledge that the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has millions of devout followers, including many students at the University of Tulsa.

Often slandered by the followers of more mainstream religions as an irreverent joke or a satire, Pastafarians have faced discrimination, oppression and derision.

But this all changed last Friday when the Flying Spaghetti Monster unexpectedly appeared over McFarlin Library. It was an unprecedented moment for the denizens of TU and the surrounding Tulsa area. Thanks to the quick thinking of several film students, footage of the event has been broadcast across the globe.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster did not have much to say. In fact, he did not say anything. He simply looked down at his worshippers and wiggled energetically.

But it is clear to all who saw Him, whether in person or via the indisputable video footage, that he came as a sign of peace during these troubled times.

“Never have I felt such a sense of oneness with the world and such a love for my fellow man,” said one student, who asked to remain anonymous.

There has been a noticeable uptick in sales of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster-related merchandise. Men, women and

Graphic Credit / Cameron Cross

While many have doubted the existence of his noodliness, this picture­—which was clearly not Photoshopped—offers definitive proof that He exists.

children from every nation have been laying aside hateful and negative thoughts, comforted by the fact that the Flying Spaghetti Monster is real, and that he cares.

Several countries have declared Pastafarianism their official religion, and several schools are considering changing their dress

codes to make them more in line with Pastafarian piratic values.

To honor the doctrines of Pastafarianism, which has rapidly surpassed all other religions to become the largest church on earth, TU has declared every Friday a religious holiday and instituted a three-day weekend.

Upham released from duties Staff Report

Steadman Upham has been released from his duties as President Emeritus of the University of Tulsa, university officials announced in an all-campus email last Wednesday.

Upham’s tenure as President Emeritus, lasting a mere 84 days, is among the shortest in the history of higher education. His sudden dismissal has generated intense speculation in the general public about the reasons for the termination, but the University has not yet

been forthcoming with answers.

“Discretion and university policy dictate that I not discuss the specific circumstances surrounding the decision,” said Duane Wilson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. TU, as a private institution, regularly exercises its right not to comment on personnel matters, but Wilson underscored his “confidence in the collective wisdom of The University of Tulsa Board of Trustees.”

“That email was definitely a shock,” said John Lepine, Student Association President, “especially because of how much the students

love and respect Stead.” Lepine urged students to resist the urge to spread ignorant gossip during this time, adding “Even if he is no longer our President Emeritus, the Student Association wishes Dr. Upham all the best in whatever is next for him and his family.”

Upham worked in Tulsa, OK before moving to Santa Fe, NM to take up the post as President Emeritus of the University of Tulsa. During his time as President Emeritus, TU slid in the U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of Best Colleges from No. 75 to No. 83.

47 percent of students found to be worthless freeloaders Patrick Creedon Minister of Truth

After a painstakingly long survey, investigators from the University of Tulsa’s political science department have found that among those who attend school at TU, there are 47 percent who are freeloaders, “dependent upon the administration.”

According to the study, these are students “who believe that they are victims, who believe the administration has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it.”

The administration responded, saying that “Our job is not to worry about those people” because “we'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

These comments come in the wake of the controversy created by the administration’s refusal to upgrade facilities on campus despite admittance of the largest freshman class in the university’s history.

The lines for bread and porridge in the Pat Case Dining Facility, where hungry, beleaguered students stand crammed together, do little to assuage the university’s administration, which has been consistently out of touch with the common student.

There are reports of shanty towns being built in John Mabee Hall out of free t-shirts and discarded athletics tickets, while residence halls and apartments on campus quickly exceed capacity.

The university has also failed to respond to calls for action regarding the sanitary disaster of piles of rotting crickets strewn about the campus.

Students were also outraged after a video was leaked showing a meeting of TU’s top administrators in which one official bluntly stated that, “If these students wanted to be treated like people, they would have gotten into an actual top 50 school.”