Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is a common activity on college campuses around the nation. According to the programs website, “The University of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Alcohol Program strives to encourage student achievement in their educational and career goals by promoting smart decisions, healthy lives, and a campus culture of care.”
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism[1], binge drinking is defined when a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches 0.08 grams or higher. This usually happens after drinking five plus drinks for men and four drinks for women in two hours or less.
The largest percentage of binge drinkers in the Unites States occurs within the ages of 18-20.
Binge drinking has both immediate and long-term consequences on the body and mind of participants.
Immediate effects of binge drinking include impaired judgment, possible alcohol poisoning, and a high risk of unplanned sexual activity. Long-term effects of binge drinking include a lack of self-motivation, brain and liver damage.
University of Oklahoma Sergeant Tim Tucker defines binge drinking as reaching a level of alcohol consumption where the student can no longer control his or her actions. Examples of such behavior are passing out in public locations, causing disruption in public, or exemplifying harmful behavior to oneself or others.
Though he claims that binge drinking is and will continue to be a problem with college students, Tucker says that violence from drinking has decreased immensely since his start in the force in the 1980’s.
The University of Oklahoma implements programs and counseling services that are available to students at all times.
An online program, Alcohol.ou.edu[2], is mandatory for all undergraduate students twenty-two years and younger to complete. The program educates the students on the effects of alcohol on the mind and body, the OU policy regarding alcohol and ways to prevent alcohol use.
The University is a dry campus, meaning that all forms of alcohol are prohibited on university grounds regardless of age or intentions to drink it elsewhere.
Executive Director of Health Sciences Center Student Affairs, Kate Stanton, explains that the university is aware that students consume alcohol, which is why the university implemented the numerous programs.
The University will continue to educate students on alcohol abuse in attempt to keep consumption at a minimum.

             

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[1] http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm

[2] http://healthysooners.ou.edu/programs/programs.php

Social Media and the News

Social media is dramatically changing the way that society gets the news, and how reporters give it. Networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter are now far beyond the simple social tool they were once created to be. 
They are now being used by news stations to deliver the latest news. Consumers must now sift through the tweets and posts to find the credible sources. 
Reporters are feeling the pressure as well because information can be leaked within seconds causing even more conflicts to arise.
Jeanine L'Ecuyer, journalist and former Director of Communications and Press Security for the Governor of Arizona, knows the effect that the media plays in the news. She visited the University of Oklahoma to share her experience and further explain her involvement in the Arizona prison hostage situation of 2004. 

Jeanine L'Ecuyer at the University of Oklahoma PHOTO: Aubree Pearson

The conflict that had arose was two inmates had attempted to escape the prison but instead took two guards hostage. The woman had been brutally raped and the man had been abused severely. 
The inmates demanded media coverage but the government declined unless there was something given in return. 
The prison became a media camp ground and reporters were becoming desperate for information that they weren't able to get.
“The challenging aspect of this case for the media was that there was not a lot of information given,” L’Ecuyer said.

Jeanine L'Ecuyer at the University of Oklahoma PHOTO: Aubree Pearson

The hostage situation ended after fifteen days and many negotiations and both of the hostages survived.

Although, social media was around during this time it had not exploded into the media outlet that it serves as today. She explains that having control over the information that was given to the public ultimately saved lives.
However, she also said that these tools could be used to the governments advantage.

“If I was doing this today, I would go straight to Twitter and release as much as I can from the Governor’s office,” she said.
A new report released from Philanthropy News Digest says, "By 2015, technology and social networks will change the way people organize."
The report also says that the use of these social media sources will force a transparency in the government. 
Like in the Arizona prison hostage situation, social networking could contribute to the release of information that could make things worse. However, according to an article released by Mashable.com called "How Social Media is Radically Changing the Newsroom" new rules are being instated by newspapers like the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. The article states:

“When it comes to Twittering for The Post, our senior editors should know beforehand if a reporter plans to Twitter or otherwise live-blog something she is covering. Anything controversial should be checked with an editor before transmission. Tone is also important: we don’t use new media to get into verbal fisticuffs with rivals or critics or to advance personal agendas. That said, we very much encourage our journalists to experiment with new ways of serving our audience,” E&P quoted the Post policy as saying.

Newspapers and reporters are now taking the necessary means to control information on the new social media tools so that they can be used to the publics positive advantage.

Events on Campus Continue As Planned

The University of Oklahoma students will continue to be involved after next year’s budget cuts. The University offers many different ways to get involved outside of the individual departments. The organization that puts on most of the campus wide events is the Campus Activities Council.

CAC brings in the crowds with many different events including University Sing, Mom’s Day, Dad’s Day, Scandals, Arbor Day, Relay for Life, and many others. Students, with the help of an advisor, put each of the events on.

The events are funded through sponsorship raised by a sponsorship team for each event. The extra money raised for the events is then pooled into a fund that can be used for the following year.

The events for next year will not be affected because of the budget cuts because they are put on strictly from sponsorship.

Ainsley Whittington, Relay for Life Activity Chair, said, “We are lucky we have such great alumni to make our events happen.” She explained how many of the major sponsors for their event was from networking through consistent alumni donors.

Though the University may face struggles next year due to the budget cuts, campus events will see no change and will continue as planned.

American Chemical Society Contribute to the University Research Journal

The University of Oklahoma is home to the top environmental science and technology Professional Journal in the world.  Editorial Assistant, Peggy Singer, has been working for the Journal for over ten years.
The Journal is funded through the American Chemical Society and grants. Therefore, they are not affected by the University’s budget cuts.

Singer works along side Microbiology Professor and Associate Editor, Joseph Suflita, to make the journal happen. The employees are employed through the University but the American Chemical Society reimburses the University.
They run on a completely different pay scale so years that the University employees get raises and the journal’s employees aren’t affect. However, there is also years that they get pay raises when the University does not.

Singer goes through over 250 research manuscripts a year to either reject from the journal or send back for revisions. She also serves as the Delta Gamma housemother and owns a bakery on 24^th street in Norman.

“I went back to school when I was 40 and got my degree and worked part-time for the Chemistry department while I got my degree and then worked for two retired research professors. Just about the time where they were going to leave the University the journal came open with a position which was perfect because it was with my degree.” Singer said.

Singer plans on continuing to work with the Journal and looks forward to seeing the potential in it. The future for Journal simply lays the hands of the American Chemical Society.





AUDIO CLIP :11 Singer explains hiring


AUDIO CLIP :18 Singer explains raises 

Jamie Pearson Interview

Jamie Pearson is selfless.
Aubree Pearson followed Jamie to see her everyday life. Jamie is the full-time caretaker of her daughter Jackalyn Pearson. Jackalyn was in a car accident July 8, 2004 and now suffers from a traumatic brain injury. Jamie considers her life to be great though it is consumed with taking care of her daughter. "I just don't really see that life could get much better," Jamie says.

VIDEO: Aubree Pearson, Runs: 1:30

Sam Noble Museum affected by Budget Cuts

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History offers a unique experience for Oklahomans and University students thanks to funding from the university, grants, donations, and many others.

The museum is under the same hiring freeze as the rest of the University. 

The research and special exhibits won’t be affected because they are funded through donations and grants. Also, traveling for the staff won’t be available anymore due to the budget cuts next year.

The museum offers six permanent galleries including the Hall of Natural Wonders and the Paleozoic Gallery, and also features other exhibits like the Discovery Room and virtual exhibits.

Collections and research have many different departments including paleontology and archeology. Researches at the museum just discovered a new dinosaur called, “Brontomerus mcintoshi”.

Linda Coldwell, Public Relations and Marketing Officer, has been with the museum since opening the new building in 2000. “I got lucky in getting my job, I just seemed to have a special skill set they were looking for.”
Coldwell says that the budget cuts will affect some areas but nothing that the public would notice.

The Sam Noble Museum will be teaming up with JCP Leadership to put on “Eggstravaganza”, and annual Easter egg hunt, next month.

For more information call (405) 325-4712.

Sam Noble Newsletter, Calender of Events, and 2009 Financial Report PHOTO: Aubree Pearson

Resident Advisors may be affected

Being a Resident Advisor takes patience, organization, and funding from the University.

Each year, the RA’s get a budget to which they are able to organize events for their floor, spoil their residence, or simply decorate.

Next year, the budgets may be affected due to the University budget cuts.

In order to become a Resident Advisor at the University of Oklahoma, one must first take a 3-credit hour class either in the spring or fall. Once they have completed the course they are then qualified to apply for the position.

Responsibilities of a RA include being a rule enforcer in the dorms, working the front desk, and simply being there when needed for the students.

“Being an RA is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be,” said Resident Advisor, Savannah Fraid.  

Fraid says that no final word has been spoken on the budgets being affected next year and that they probably won’t find out until the summertime.

“If our budgets get cut, it won’t be the end of the world. We can just spend our money more wisely.” Fraid said.

Walker, University Dorms. PHOTO: Aubree Pearson