New Dorms at OU

New Dorms in the Future at OU

By Chris Fotopoulos

Above: Jones dorm at the University of Oklahoma. PHOTO: Chris Fotopoulos

Above:  Headington Hall under construction. PHOTO: Chris Fotopoulos

Above: Expected finished form of Heading Hall. PHOTO: Chris Fotopoulos

            Currently under construction by the intersection of Lindsey and Jenkins streets, on the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus is the addition of new living dorms for both students and student-athletes.  The new dorms have been named Heading Hall and will provide a higher quality of living for current and future OU students; they are expected to be operational in August of 2013.             

            The plan for the new dorms involves tearing down the Jones and Jefferson dorms located across from the football stadium on Jenkins, and to build the new dorms across the street where O’Connell’s used to be.   Unlike the current athletic dorms, Headington Hall will be able to accommodate all students and student athletes under one roof.  OU is a school with rich tradition and history, and the Jones and Jefferson house have been around OU for quite awhile.  “I will miss the Jeff House, they are the oldest dorms on campus,” says Rianne Dixon Residential Advisor at the current athletic dorms. Headington Hall will technically be athletic dorms but Dixon expects them to be an asset for the recruitment of future students and student-athletes.  “It has to be more non-athletes than student-athletes, says Dixon.  There are more students coming to OU every year, and Cate is the worst of the dorms so when people look across the street and see the new building, it will definitely be a draw.”

            Desk Assistant at the current dorms Barrett Mckibben feels that new dorms were needed.  “The new dorms will have a slick look to them and be a place that everybody wants to go to.  The walls at the dorms now have scratches all over them and the place as a whole just looks old,” McKibben said.  Some problems with the current dorms according to McKibben include, lack of space, and that the air conditioning and heaters usually break.  “They are becoming old buildings and it’s time for them to go,” McKibben said.  McKibben also noted that after the current dorms are torn down, the University might use the empty space for parking.  If the space were to be used for parking, then the addition of Headington Hall will benefit all students and staff who commute to campus during the school year.   

            Current OU freshman, non-athlete, and resident at the current OU athletic dorms Jake Morgan, is also excited about the change.  “The dorms we have now are pretty old so we’ll lose a lot of history, but at the same time we can make our own history in the new dorms,” says Morgan.  Morgan, who will be a junior when the new dorms could be operational, has already started thinking about his living plans for that year.  “I want to be an RA at the athletic dorms, says Morgan.  When my junior year comes around I plan on living in the new dorms.”  The new dorms will be a good living opportunity offered by OU to all returning and new students in 2013.

Blog 2

 A Lighter Load

Chris Fotopoulos

Above: Head Professional Marc Claude stringing a tennis racquet.

            For the past decade the University of Oklahoma men and women’s tennis teams have relied on Westwood Tennis Center for their racquet stringing needs.  The Sooner’s have trusted Westwood with a heavy load of racquets over the years but that load might change with the addition of a stringing machine acquired for use at the men’s and women’s tennis practice facility on campus.

Marc Claude Head Professional of Westwood Tennis Center says that with the addition of the racquet stringer Westwood’s load of racquets for OU will lessen quite a bit but not diminish completely.  In addition to stringing racquets for OU, Westwood strings for the public as well.  In years past with many racquets to string for the sports teams Westwood implemented a two business days stringing policy for the public while the OU teams were given priority of being done the next day.  “I remember having thirty racquets to string for OU in one day, and we had 80 to string in three days when OU hosted NCAA’s two years ago, said Claude.  It’s tough on the fingers,” Claude added with a smile.  With fewer racquets to string for OU, Claude expects more business to open up to the public.

Westwood’s busiest days are before tennis tournaments, says Westwood Shop Attendant Ben Henwood.  Competitive tennis players like the men and women who play for OU, must be able to perform at a high level when called upon in tournament play.  Having racquets at the proper tension is an important step in preparation.  “We get most of our racquets from the tennis team’s before a tournament,” Henwood said.  Even though Westwood will be less involved with OU now than in previous years, Henwood believes that Westwood’s affiliation with OU does bring in business and will continue to in the future.  Westwood Tennis Staff Instructor Alex Sanchez agreed with Henwood and is happy that Westwood will continue a relationship with OU tennis.  The relationship with OU tennis is a neat deal and a good image for Westwood.  The people that know Westwood know Westwood’s a relaxed atmosphere, with good and hard working people,” said Sanchez. 

           

Blog 1

Chris Fotopoulos

Definitions of Marriage

Sept. 9, 2011 Lecture

Gay Activist Shares Contrasting Views on  

“The Definition of Marriage”

Story by: Chris Fotopoulos

     Gay rights activist, John Corvino shared some of society’s contrasting views on “The Definition of Marriage” during a campus lecture September 9 on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman.

     Corvino, a philosophy professor at Wayne State University, pointed out that at the core the debate for or against same sex marriage verses heterosexual marriage ultimately lies in what constitutes the definition of marriage. Corvino went on to explain that there are two definitions up for debate which stem from two views, the Definitional Objective and the New Natural Law (NNL).

     The Definitional Objective states that to use the term “marriage to refer to the same sex unions would in effect replace marriage with a different institution, one that lacks marriages’s essential character which is known as the Conjugal View.  According to Corvino, the conjugal view states that “marriage” is defined as a comprehensive union between a man and a women consummated by reproductive-type acts (coitus) which unites them biologically, and thus personally.

     The New Natural Law states that the definition of marriage shouldn’t

Place emphasis on the “reproductive-type” acts as being sufficient for reproduction. Corvino went on to state that this view is known as the revisionist view. He added that along with this view and the conjugal view are the two main conflicting views on marriage.

     Corvino’s lecture enlightened many on the subject of these two

views, which are at the heart of the same sex marriage debate. When asked

what was the most interesting part about professor’s Corvinos lecturel, sophomore political science major “Amy Slanchik, said “I think it was professor Corvino. He is a very interesting man, trying to make a positive difference in human society.”