Medeival Fair fries more than food

Crowds flocked to the Medieval Fair this weekend, enjoying sword fights, costumes and fair food; forgetting to pay attention to the blazing sun that left many participants beet-red at the end of the day.

Spring has arrived, and safety officials urge students to apply sunscreen to
protect their skin from hazardous ultra-violet rays.

Skin cancer has risen dramatically within the last decade, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Simple preventative action, such as applying sunscreen, could put a stop to potential sun damage, the foundation says.

Former OU student Talia Magrill did not apply any sunscreen before she attended the fair on Saturday.

"My back hasn't seen sunlight since 2008," Magrill said. "I was only out in the sun for a couple hours, and now I'll have tan lines until June," she said.

Students can purchase sunscreen at most retail locations. Dermatologists suggest applying an SPF 15 or greater, according to the American Melanoma Foundation.

Violence against women in Oklahoma

Violence against women in Oklahoma is significantly higher than other states, and represents negative cultural norms that exist because of it, a panel said Thurs night.

“1 domestic violence killing occurs ever 36 hours,” Linda Terrell said, panel member and executive director of Center for Children and Families, Inc.

5 female panel members, sponsored by The Xenia Institute and the OU Women’s Studies Program, gathered a large crowd to openly discuss female abuse that occurs within our state.

“This topic is such an important issue because it affects so many lives,” Terrell said. Many women afflicted with physical abuse suffer psychologically, as well as physically, and often times turn to alcohol and drugs, which could lead to prison, she said.

“Oklahoma incarcerates more women per capita than any other state in the U.S.,” said Sandy Ingram, panel member and attorney and social policy consultant.

The panelists urged students to take action in their community and engaged in open dialogue with the crowd during the second half of the event, which was devoted to group discussion in smaller, audience based groups.

“We need to change culture, change beliefs and pay attention to Okla legislature and politicians, making sure they adhere to our cultures and beliefs,” Ingram said.

A college student's best friend

College students find great joy in owning a pet, yet do not foresee many of the responsibilities involved in taking care of one.

“I’ve had my dog for over two years, but I’m moving this August and will have to live by myself. A one-bedroom house with a backyard large enough for him to explore might not be feasible,” electrical engineering senior Tommy Hosman said.

Many students looking for new living situations after their rent expires may have trouble finding a suitable location that allows pets.

“Not only do I have to find a house, but I have to save money to pay the expensive pet deposits, as well,” Hosman said. Pet deposits can range from $100 - $500, depending on the location, according to several local rental property owners.

Students hoping to keep their pets in the family must plan ahead in finding a new home.

Bus to the Ballpark

The OU vs. Nebraska baseball game on Sat will be more affordable for fans that ride the bus to the event.

Cleveland Area Rapid Transit begins Bus to the Ballpark this Sat (March 28), a partnership with the OU athletics department. The initiative exchanges a 50 cent bus ride for a free ticket to an OU baseball or softball game.

Fans who utilize the bus’s Apartment Loop in the South Oval can ask for a voucher on the bus and present the voucher at the ticket office for any of the select games.

“The effort will be a homerun for both bus riders and sports fans as those who utilize the Apartment Loop to go to selected OU baseball and softball games will get free tickets to watch the Sooners!” Kris Glenn said, public relations and marketing director for CART.

The Apartment Loop stops in the South Oval at 14 minutes after every hour on Saturdays. Fans are encouraged to park in the Asp Avenue parking facility and walk to the South Oval to catch a ride, Glenn said.

For a list of the select OU baseball and softball games visit CART’s Web site at www.ridecart.com.

Gender Inequality: What's Changing? What's Not?

Gender inequality still exists within American society despite social change and can be seen largely in America’s work place.

Paula England, sociology professor from Stanford University, spoke Thursday night at the National Weather Center about the prevalence of gender inequality in college majors.

Women have entered the male job domain more than men have entered women’s, England said. England argued that this has occurred because women’s roles are regarded less favorably than men’s.

“The desegregation of college fields has occurred because women have enrolled more in typical male fields,” England said. Female enrollment in business, accounting and marketing has spiked, while male enrollment in English and elementary education has remained flat.

England urged college students to dispel thoughts stereotyping gender inequality as only occurring in lower class levels and within lower education levels.

OU Transportation Operations Center's Grand Opening

Environmentalists celebrated the opening of the OU transportation center that houses eco-friendly buses and provides students with a cleaner mode of transportation.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony began at 1:30 p.m. today (March 10) and commemorated the opening of the new OU Transportation Operations Center located on 510 Chesapeake St. The new center combines OU Fleet Services and CART into one location, according to a press release Thursday.

The Federal Transit Administration dispensed $1.8 million to CART this year, allowing them to purchase four compressed natural gas buses, Kris Glenn said, marketing and public relations director for CART. CART currently has three CNG buses in its fleet, combining the total number of CNG buses to seven.

The new center includes four fast-fuel pumps and eight compressed natural gas lines that will allow overnight refueling for the buses.

“The compressed natural gas buses were chosen because they have much cleaner burning fuel and because of CART’s commitment to be good stewards of the environment,” Glenn said.

The center’s new station will also use E-85 and bio-diesel, both of which are cleaner-burning fuels than diesel or gasoline. The fast-fuel pumps are available to City of Norman vehicles as well as CART vehicles.

May graduation is not too far away

The close of Graduation Gear-up today ended the week long program that provided soon-to-be graduates with information regarding commencement proceedings and additional student preparation involved in receiving a diploma.

Graduation Gear-up provided pamphlets and one-on-one discussion regarding graduation procedures. The event also provided several uniquely senior opportunities, such as purchasing a class ring or ordering a cap and gown.

Sooner yearbook took pictures for this year’s yearbook. Announcements and customized diploma frames were also sold at the event.

Graduating senior John Hildebrand is excited about graduation. “I’m proud of my accomplishments,” he said. Hildebrand studied International Area Studies and applied to the Japan Exchange and Teaching program, where, if he is accepted, he will teach English as a second language to Japanese students.

Graduation necessities were not limited in availability to this week, and students can visit commencement@ou.edu for additional information and pricing.