Friday, October 31, 2025
Research vice president arrested Raynee Howell
CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Pratul Agarwal
The former associate vice president of research at Oklahoma State was arrested Oct. 24 on four counts pertaining to internet crimes against children. Edmond Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against
Children unit found information suggesting Pratul Agarwal, 51, was soliciting minors online for lewd photographs and attempting to arrange in-person meetings, according to an EPD press release. A statement from a university spokesperson Sunday said OSU was aware Agarwal was arrested but had no further comment as
the investigation was ongoing. OSU confirmed Monday that Agarwal is no longer employed by the university. Agarwal was arrested at his home in Oklahoma City and booked on one count of soliciting sexual contact with a minor, one count of violation of the Computer Crimes Act and two counts of lewd acts with a
child under 16. EPD had criminal probable cause to arrest Agarwal. He has not been formally charged as of Thursday. Agarwal has worked at OSU for six years. He took on his latest role as VP of research in April 2023. news.ed@ocolly.com
Flags stolen from memorial
Bryson Thadhani, The O’Colly
The OSU chapters of the Student Socialist League and the Students for Justice in Palentise created a memorial for children who died during the Israel-Hamas war. Parts of the display, including about 400 white flags and a larger Palestian flag, were stolen sometime before Tuesday morning.
Police investigate theft of Palestinian tribute
On Monday, they planted about 3,000 white flags on Library Lawn and International Mall Lawn to represent As the sun rose Tuesday morning, the children who died in the Israel-Hamas sight of an empty flag pole and about war. A Palestinian flag was placed in the 400 missing white flags left Palestinian center. memorial organizers disappointed but not OSUPD Chief Michael Beckner surprised. confirmed the police are investigating and Raynee Howell
CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
reviewing area footage. “Every time we put up these memorials for these children who died, we expect that there are people who might feel incensed enough by a memorial to do something about it, to potentially desecrate it,” said John Clemmons with the Student Socialist League and Students
for Justice in Palestine. “I think they should feel ashamed, and I would hope that the people who perpetrated this could somehow find a way to reflect upon their actions and wonder why a memorial to dead children is a viable target.”
See FLAGS on page 4A
Why students keep showing up despite losing season to be loyal and true, showing up to the games, being loud and continuing to support the Cowboys Loyal and true are two of the when the game on the field is well most recognizable words at out of reach. Oklahoma State. Tynlee Mize, who is also a In the mind of some Cowboy paddle person, believes that the supporters, loyal and true are more student-athletes put countless than just words, they represent hours of blood, sweat and tears who they are. into perfecting their game and “To be loyal and true is to be feels like the athletes deserve to be a Cowboy,” said Ethan Hayes, a supported for their hard work, no paddle person. “We are always here matter the on-field results. for each other. I don’t think there’s “These athletes put in a lot of another university out there of this work,” Mize said. “I mean, they’re size that feels like a family.” putting in a ton of work, and so While OSU’s football team goes I think that they deserve to have through its worst two-year stretch people come in to watch, and in 35 years and is on a 15-game even if they aren’t doing well, just losing streak in Big 12 conference (having) support.” Payton Little, The O’Colly play, the students of OSU continue See STUDENTS on page 7A The Oklahoma State football student section sings and sways prior to a game. Cayden Cox
STAFF REPORTER
WHAT’S INSIDE 3A
Hot water pipe bursts in Allen Hall, students displaced
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The O’Colly’s guide to Halloween
6A
New exhibit invites public to learn about different cultures