The Cameron University Collegian: November 5, 2007

COLLEGIAN THE CA M ERON U N I V ER SIT Y

Monday, November 5, 2007

News

Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926

Disabled student starts path for Ph.D By Laura Batule Collegian Staff

P.R.I.D.E. honors diversity with vigil. SEE PAGE 2

A&E

Concert Band features music from around the globe. SEE PAGE 8

Sports

CU Women’s Basketball coach looking forward to new season. SEE PAGE 6

Voices

Awareness of those with handicaps is important. SEE PAGE 5

Volume 81 Issue 8

Sharon Fanning, a junior majoring in Psychology at Cameron, is determined not to let a spinal cord injury keep her from arriving at her ultimate academic destination: her Ph.D. Fanning, a non-traditional student, transferred to Cameron University this summer. “I transferred to Cameron University with 72 credit hours from two universities,” she said. “I was very happy when I found out all my hours would transfer toward my Cameron undergraduate degree.” Having special needs did not slow Fanning down. Once she was admitted at Cameron, her next stop was the Department of Student Services. “They were very helpful,” Fanning said. “I have trouble hearing and need to sit up front during class. I also need a larger table so I am able to spread out my things. Since I cannot sit in my chair for long periods of time, I also needed an easy chair to transfer into. My doctor medically justified my requests, and Student Services complied with every one of them.” Physical accommodations are not the only adaptations that CU is assists Fanning with. She is also provided technical support from Student Services. “I asked for permission to use a recorder in class since I cannot take notes as quickly as others,” Fanning said. “Not only was I given permission to use a recorder, but Student Services complied with my doctor’s request and has loaned me a recorder for the semester.” When a financial setback threatened Fanning’s ability to continue with a required course, she again went to Student Services and requested assistance. “I was taking algebra and my instructor sent me to the math lab,” she said. “I was told I needed a special calculator that cost over $150. I could not afford it. I figured if I asked Student Services for help, the worst that would happen was they

tell me ‘no,’ but they didn’t. They told me they could loan me a calculator as long as I was enrolled in the course. My son bought me one and I returned the one I borrowed.” However, navigating around Cameron presents some obstacles for Fanning, and she does not hesitate to bring issues to the attention of those Student Services: “I spoke with Photo by Laura Batule Life from a different point of view: Psychology Junior Sharon a vice president Fanning uses the handicap facilities across campus for her daily life. at Student Despite a severe spinal cord injury, Fanning plans to pursue a Ph.D. Services about the handicapped doors some suggestions as a way of compromising with that are not working. He assured me that they would be fixed by the those students, staff and faculty who do smoke end of the week. He wrote everything down and outside the buildings. “I would be satisfied if every building was was very nice. I did bring up the smoking issue on campus and asked why smoking is allowed handicapped accessible and if smoking was not allowed outside those handicapped doors,” at every building entrance. It takes me longer to enter a Fanning said. “It would be great if one entrance to building and I don’t want to the Student Union was non-smoking, preferably have to smell the cigarette the front entrance, closest to the handicapped parking spaces. Students could smoke outside smoke.” the rear doors and non-smoking students could Fanning offered also enjoy sitting outside as well as entering the building without passing through a cloud of smoke.” Fanning hopes to complete her undergraduate degree by the spring of 2009, then venture further up the academic ladder and eventually earn a Ph.D. “I’m a resource person,” Fanning said. “Perhaps an advocacy type business is in my future. I’d like to have my own business. I love fighting for the underdog, especially people who can’t help themselves. People are drawn to me and tell me their problems. I always drop what I am doing to help someone else. I studied to be a minister for the last two years, and I find I am drawn to people.”

See FANNING Page 2

Speech, debate team Information Technology department plans Microsoft Office program upgrade wins individual awards By David L. Bublitz Collegian Staff A new day and a new Office means one thing for Cameron’s Information Technology Services: another busy season of computer upgrades is coming to campus. During the first half of the spring 2008 semester, ITS will begin to install Microsoft Office 2007 on all college-owned computer systems. According to Debbie Goode, Cameron University’s Director of Information Technology Services, the switch from Office 2003 to Office 2007 should be completed in about four months for the majority of the computer systems on-campus. “We anticipate the migration to begin February 2008 with a completion date of June 2008 for faculty and staff,” Goode said. “We want to use a systematic approach, as we have in the past, and install by department. However, there will be exceptions that we will

be working through with the migration. We will hold off installation in the labs until we have the opportunity to be sure professors have course syllabi and textbooks in sync with the version of Office installed in the labs.” While most software updates are routine and lowimpact for faculty, staff and students, the change to Office 2007 is as significant as a change from a PC to a Mac. Users of the new Office 2007 will see vast differences on their screens, and all users will have to upgrade their vocabulary to include terms like “fluent user interface” and “ribbon.” According to Microsoft’s Office Web site, the Office 2007 version is simpler to use than earlier versions. “When planning the release

of the 2007 Microsoft Office system we took on the challenge of making the core Microsoft Office applications easier to work with. Taking into account extensive usability data and recent advancements in hardware and software, the team has delivered the most significant update to the Microsoft Office user interface in more than a decade. The result of these efforts is the Microsoft Office fluent user interface — a user interface that makes it easier for people to get more out of Microsoft Office applications so they can deliver better results faster.”

See OFFICE Page 3

at dual tournaments By Malinda Rust Collegian Staff The Cameron University Speech and Debate Team finished up two weekends of competition in Arkansas and Tulsa on Oct. 22. Team members came home from the Pi Kappa Delta Bi-Province Tournament, which was held at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., and the Tulsa Community College Tournament with numerous awards for their individual efforts. Bethany Beck, Michael Faggett and Justin Barrick were asked to “showcase” their events: Beck showcased her informative speech about the “Life Straw,” Faggett showcased in extemporaneous speaking, and Barrick showcased in impromptu speaking. According to Dan Schabot, Director of Forensics at CU, the Bi-Province Tournament is unlike other tournaments in the way that awards are given. Instead of holding final rounds of competition and awarding placed finishes, top performers showcase their materials for a panel of judges and audience-members for critiques.

See DEBATE Page 4