Friday, September 8, 2023
‘AI needs human management’ OSU takes steps toward learning the technology Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief
based education emerged in the thinking skills while using tools 70s, it has burgeoned rapidly that, if used incorrectly, can get in the past 10 years. With the in the way of learning. launch of ChatGPT in 2022, OSU’s policies allow the conversation surrounding faculty to decide if students When Christine Ormsthe consecan use bee, vice provost at OSU, was a quences of specific AI college student, she witnessed AI use and tools in their technology in education taking The smarter I can if students classes. It is small steps toward what it is should be the student’s today. make faculty about AI, allowed responsibility Her biology class was to use the to understand shown on TV and the class mathe better guides they tool has their profesterial was mailed to her house. become sor’s expectaAlmost 40 years later, Ormsbee tions. will be for students. is now having meetings to dis- frequent among For procuss the proper use of artificial educators. fessors who do intelligence and how to navigate The initial not allow AI a new era in education. use in assign“The dynamic of the way ‘yes’ or ‘no’ ments, OSU’s we teach has changed because questions turned into a layered administration discourages the students are used to digital topic that involved questionuse of AI detectors because learning and that has impacted they work more as an indicator their attention,” Ormsbee said. ing whether students have the ability to work on their critical than absolute evidence. Although research on AISee AI on 4A
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Christine Ormsbee
FAMILIAR FACE
Courtesy of Phil Shockley Professor Mark Perry is known for his orange suit, which he wears on every first day of class.
Beyond the orange suit
OSU professor teaches through creativity Ashton Miller Staff Reporter Flamenco guitars, orange suits, EDM music and a packed freshman course define Oklahoma State University professor Mark Perry. With a host of accolades and accomplishments that stem from universities and scholarly groups internationally, Perry’s passion for music and learning shines as he connects with students in filled lecture halls. Perry teaches one of the most popular classes offered at OSU: “History of Rock and Roll.” He is also the director of the Music Industry Program. Perry said he went into teaching because it was the family business, as his father was an art professor. The “History of Rock and Roll” class has always been popular, but throughout the years, Perry extensively advertised the class to bring in as many students as possible. “I knew that I was going to use the concert hall and there was going to be a lot of space,” Perry said. “So, I worked hard to advertise the class and make it known that it’s available.” Perry said the class’ subject matter is what attracts students, though many argue it could be Perry himself that draws students
What’s Inside
to the class. “Although there are many students in the class, (Perry) makes sure that everyone feels involved and engaged in the learning,” said Ashylnn Hutton, a sophomore taking the class. The course content is not the only thing that appeals to students. Perry’s fashion sense is well known across campus, too. Perry said he originally wore extravagant suits to differentiate himself from his students as a young professor. But the suits became tradition, and Perry said his inner artist may be the reason the suits stuck around. One suit stood out. On the first day of each class, Perry wears a bright orange suit made for him by a tailor in Thailand. When choosing the fabric options for his suit, Perry immediately flipped to the back of the book in search of the unique colors. The confused employees asked what Perry did for a living, and upon discovering he was a musician, everything clicked. Not only did the fabric coincide with America’s brightest orange, but it matched the colors Perry would wear on stage during his time in a rock band in the ‘80s. “My favorite colors that I would wear on stage a lot were orange and pink,” Perry said. See Suit on 4A
Edmon Low rolls out new hours
Courtesy of Mitchell Alcala Jayson Lusk has made his return to Stillwater as OSU’s new vice president and dean of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
Lusk back to boost school of Ag Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor
But Lusk is not new to Stillwater. He worked at OSU for 12 years as a professor before working as the department head The school of agriculture of agricultural economics at Purdue. has a new face at OSU. Lusk said the choice to Jayson Lusk, the new vice return to Stillwater was easy. president and dean of Division “I thought, ‘I only want of Agricultural Sciences and to do this at a handful of places Natural Resources, has been on the job for less than one month. that I might really care about,’” Lusk said. “I just didn’t think “It’s amazing the sort of it’s the kind of job that you warm welcome that you get could do well at some random from people, of all the agricultural commodity groups, all the school, and we still had a lot of fond feelings of Oklahoma State alumni, all the donors, they’re just so happy to have somebody and Stillwater.” Lusk and his famin this role, and that’s excited ily maintained their Stillwater about the change,” Lusk said. friendships during their time at “So it makes you feel good.” Lusk oversees faculty and Purdue, so their return to OSU staff in the Ferguson College of was welcomed. “It’s a good location for Agriculture. As the vice president, he is in charge of OSU Ex- us,” Lusk said. “My wife is from tension and OSU Ag Research. Kansas. I’m from Texas. We still
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New bison topiary added to campus
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had a lot of friends here.” Lusk is succeeding Tom Coon, who previously served as the vice president and dean for nine years. Lusk worked with Coon as a professor at OSU. He talked with Coon numerous times throughout the application and interview processes to get his perspective. One of the main projects Coon spearheaded was the construction of the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall. “I think there are lots of sort of opportunities to go after next, now that New Frontiers is sort of at least on a path towards finishing that we can start to dream about new ideas,” Lusk said. As far as improvements, Lusk has a few ideas. See Lusk on 3A
Zach Bryan and Turnpike Troubadors release new album
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