Administrators will create a new task force as a result of a photo that surfaced last week on social media. A student is seen in the photo at a party dressed as Jay Z with her face painted black, a practice known as “blackface.” Blackface represents a time when white Americans would put dark paint…
New program receives accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the new physician assistant program at OCU. Accreditation-Provisional is a status granted when the plans and resources of a proposed program that has not enrolled students appear to demonstrate the ability to meet specific standards or when a program already with…
Officials investigate controversial picture
Administrators launched an investigation Oct. 8 after a photo of a student in blackface circulated on social media. The student went to a party dressed as Jay Z and posted about it on Snapchat. She is seen in the photo with her face painted black, a practice known as “blackface.” Blackface represents a time when…
University counselors help students cope with college life
More college students are suffering from depression and mental health issues than in past years, according to a study by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State in Pennsylvania. September is National Suicide Awareness Month. About 1,100 suicides happen on a college campus per year, and the number is increasing, according to an…
Campus tech works to solve Wi-Fi issues
Campus tech officials are frustrated because their upgrades are not working properly. Campus technology workers installed new equipment around campus during the summer. The equipment included about 90 new antennas, two controllers and new network switches, but the wireless keeps failing. “I am not saying that these upgrades caused this,” said Dennis Rigdon, assistant director…
Code of conduct revised to protect students, animals
Changes were made to the Student Code of Conduct to protect students and service animals, and to clarify punishments. Officials made three changes to the code of conduct this semester. These changes are the introduction of a medical amnesty policy, an animal neglect policy and the clarification of disciplinary sanctions. “We wanted to make sure…
Official announces retirement
Dr. Liz Donnelly, senior director of university housing, is retiring Oct. 9, according to a Sept. 22 email sent to the campus community. Donnelly has served as an instructor, women’s volleyball coach, director of student affairs, dean of students, associate vice president for students affairs and acting vice presidents for students affairs during her 31 years…
Speaker’s visit postponed
Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe’s visit to campus has been postponed, according to a Sept. 18 email sent to the campus community. The event, scheduled for Sept. 23, was postponed after Nyirumbe experienced unexpected difficulties traveling out of Uganda. The screening for the film Sewing Hope also is postponed. Nyirumbe directs the Saint Monica Girls’ Tailoring Centre in Gulu,…
Prioritization recommendations implemented
Class cancellations and the termination of professors impacted students as the semester began. These changes were a result of prioritization recommendations. Prioritization allowed officials to see where university money was being spent and determine if changes should be made to academic and support programs. It was necessary because of a $1.5 million shortfall in the…
Retention rates at record high, estimated to increase
More freshmen are returning as sophomores than in recent years. Student retention rate measures the number of freshmen who return as sophomores. The retention for Fall 2014 freshmen returning as sophomores is at 85 percent. The rate increased 5 percent from last year. “Eighty-five percent is best in recent recorded history,” said Kevin Windholz, vice…
New vice president for student affairs officially assumes position
When she isn’t adjusting to life as a Star, the new vice president for student affairs enjoys watching football and shopping. Dr. Amy Ayres grew up in Velma, Okla., where she was involved in basketball, cheerleading, student council, and Future Farmers of America, showing pigs and sheep. She attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman…
Leak discovered in dormitory
A leak in a drain line was discovered in Walker Hall dormitory around 1 p.m yesterday. The 17 affected students will be unable to use their bathrooms until the leak is fixed by OCU Facilities. The leak impacted odd numbered rooms in B hall on the fourth through the seventh floors. “We notified the affected…
Editor introduces herself to campus community
The first week of the semester is all about meeting new people and making introductions. There are so many new professors, staffers and classmates to meet that it begins to seem like a blur of new faces and names you’ll never remember. Forgive me while I add my name and face to the mix. I…
Sorority fall recruitment ends, fraternity rush begins
More than 130 women participated in sorority rush during Formal Recruitment Aug. 19 through Aug. 22. Bid Day was Sunday on the campus quad. The new sorority members ran from Watson Lounge inside Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel to the quad, where their new sisters stood waiting. “We work hard during recruitment,” said Danielle Petersen, music…
Students show school spirit at Blue Out Blow Out Aug. 21 in Abe Lemons Arena in the Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity. Blue Out Blue Out is an annual tradition during Stars Week to introduce new students to OCU Athletics. The pep rally includes performances from spirit squads and speeches from Athletic Director Jim…
Natalya Ferch, acting freshman, touches the Gold Star at Matriculation Convocation. Freshmen were matriculated into the the academic year Aug. 19 in the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Students touch the star at the beginning of their freshman year and again at graduation to signify the start and end of their college career. Photo: Anna Anderson
Greek organizations host informational meeting
Freshmen packed Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center to hear from all the Greek organizations on campus at the Greek Info Meeting. Panhellenic and Inter-Fraternity Council hosted the meeting to meet and hear from the presidents of each fraternity and sorority. During the meeting, the presidents introduced themselves and their organizations philanthropy and…
Welcome picnic moved inside
Students can enjoy free food inside during the Welcome Back Picnic this year. The picnic was moved inside because of heat concerns. The event has been hosted outside on the quad for several years, offering free food and live steel drum music from student performers. “We moved it inside because it was always so hot,”…
Students decide top ten issues on campus
Student leaders across campus brainstormed together to find the top 10 issues on campus at STAR Summit April 24. The event has been hosted by Student Affairs every spring to help bring together leaders from every student organization on campus to build community, plan the student activity calendar for the next academic year, and identify…
Prioritization report for students
Prioritization Report Final Version for students
Students participate in rainy ‘Love Not Hate’ event
Students enjoyed free food and tie-dying T-shirts in the rain at the seventh annual Love Not Hate Day.
Cast ‘Open Doors’ for Look at Production
The cast of the newest production, The 20th Anniversary Oklahoma City Bombing Project, opened their doors April 6 for a special rehearsal for local media to attend.
Podcast: University bestows honorary degree, students forced to move out early
A distinguished Oklahoman received an honorary doctorate and students are being forced to move out of dorms before graduation.
Officials approve prioritization recommendations
By: Emily Wiley, Editor-in-Chief; and Amy Fuhrman, Associate Editor University budgets will be cut after the board of trustees agreed to move forward with prioritization recommendations. This means cuts across campus. Prioritization has been going on since April 2014. This is one of the final steps of the process. “I think this was a very…
SGA election results announced
The polls have closed and the votes have been counted and the new vice president of Student Government Association has been announced. Nic Rhodes, economics sophomore, will take office at the inauguration ceremony hosted by SGA. All students are invited to the ceremony. Six other candidates ran uncontested. They automatically assumed their positions for the…
Candidates announced for SGA election
The candidates for Student Government Association’s 2015 election have been announced. There is only one position that has two candidates. Brandon Elder, acting freshman, and Nic Rhodes, economics sophomore, are running for Student Senate vice president. Election campaigns start March 24. A candidate forum will take place at 6 p.m. March 26 in the Great Hall…
