Koofers.com adds OU to database

Koofers.com, an interactive student information-sharing site, recently added the University of Oklahoma to its database, giving students access to professor and course profiles, study notes, and previous exams.

Koofers.com allows students to interact with other students in their classes by providing discussion boards and opportunities to upload notes and old exams.

“I just signed up and it’s really cool because I have found test files for classes that I didn’t think had any,” said junior Claire West. “I think this site is better than myedu.com because in addition to professor ratings, we have access to previous tests and notes that really help”.

Koofers.com has been advertised on Facebook and Twitter to encourage more students to join. By entering an e-mail address and password at koofers.com students can create an account in minutes and begin enjoying the benefits of the site.

Listen to what OU sophomore Amanda Gerards has to say about Koofers:

Check out more about Koofers from OU sophomore Allison Harris:

Fiji Olympics Begins Tonight

Fiji Olympics, a competition where sororities compete in a variety of sporting events, will be held tonight with the goal of raising money for the American Cancer Society.

“It’s so funny watching the girls attempt to play sports,” said Hudson Seidel, Phi Gamma Delta member. “We make our pledges dress up in embarrassing costumes for entertainment and some of us referee. There are a lot of ways for everyone to get involved and we appreciate the sororities donations and help in us raising money for the American Cancer Society”.

The Olympics will begin tonight at 6:00 p.m. and continue until Thursday, November 19, until one sorority is deemed the winner. Each sorority will participate in football, dodgeball, kickball, and an Olympic relay. This year the Olympics will be held at Lions Park north of Boyd Street on Flood Street due to current constriction of the Phi Gamma Delta house.

Next year the men of Phi Gamma Delta will be able to hold the annual fundraiser at their new house on the corner of Chautauqua Street and Elmwood Street.

Check out what a bystander who came to watch and support her team had to say:

Listen to what a Fiji referee had to say about the Olympics:

Shack-a-thon fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity on South Oval

OU will hold the annual event Shack-a-thon today on the South Oval of campus from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. where students raise money for the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity.

Each sorority teams up with a fraternity and builds a shack out of cardboard boxes and tape. Greek students will rotate working shifts on their shack and will be collecting loose change from students on the South Oval during the day.

“It’s fun getting donations from people walking on South Oval,” said Shack-a-thon volunteer Keely Line. “Everyone is curious what’s going on when they see us building shacks and usually end up giving some spare change”.

Last year students stayed overnight in the shacks. This year the Greek community hopes to earn more money for Habitat for Humanity by remaining on campus during the day to collect change as students pass the shacks on their way to and from classes.

Check out what student volunteer Adam Grable has to say about Shack-a-thon:

Students have trouble with spring 2010 enrollment

Many students were not able to enroll in the recommended 12-15 hours because of the lack of classes available for the spring 2010 semester.

Classes are smaller and offered at fewer times for the spring 2010 semester, said human relations junior Jackie Yoken. Students are having to email their advisors and teachers to ask for special permission to get into full classes.

"Most of the classes I was advised to take are already full," said interior design junior Ivy Poye. "It's frustrating because my alternatives have time conflicts with the few classes I was able to enroll in".

So far, no changes have been made to accommodate more students. However, if the class sizes and times become large enough of a problem, the university may have to change its policy to accommodate more students, said professor Kathy Johnson.

Check out what students have to say about the new enrollment system:

OU student Chandler Shockey logs on to ou.edu/green to make her commitment to go green.  She is able to make a contribution without leaving her own home. 

Students Help OU "Go Green"

Students can not only improve recycling on campus but also help the nation go green by logging on to ou.edu/green and making a “commitment” to the environment.  

Until December 18, 2009 for every student who makes a commitment to the environment by checking a few boxes regarding ways to improve conservation, OU will match with a two-dollar contribution for a campus project.  OU is trying to expand its recycling program and better the environment by encouraging students to go green. 

“It only took me like sixty seconds to log on and make my contribution,” said junior Chandler Shockey.   “It was weird, I felt like I was helping and I didn’t even do anything, if everyone took the time to make a commitment OU would raise so much money”.

Students can log on to ou.edu/green and learn about ways to preserve Earth’s resources and keep OU beautiful by making a commit to go green. 

Individual Fitness Encourages Students to Utilize the Huff

Every semester the university provides students with the opportunity to enroll in Individual Fitness, a class that motivates students to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Many students have trouble finding time to exercise, but with the Individual Fitness class, students are forced to sign in and work out for one hour twice a week.  With about thirty students in each class, students are free to workout as they choose but are also encouraged to ask the instructor for guidance to maximize the benefits of their workout. 

“It’s hard for me to get going in the mornings but with Individual Fitness I know that I have to go, and I always leave with more energy and a better attitude,” elementary education junior Amy Austin said.

Students are able to enroll for the spring 2010 semester starting in November and the Individual Fitness class counts as a one credit hour elective.  It is offered either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday at several different times during the day.  

The student parking lot on the north side of the Huston Huffman Center is closed due to construction. The surrounding lots fill up quickly during school hours and students are forced to park illegally or elsewhere.

Parking Lot Construction Limits Student Parking Spaces

The multipurpose student parking lot located on the north side of the Huston Huffman Center is closed due to construction, leaving fewer parking spaces for commuter students. 

Many students utilize the multipurpose parking lot off Lindsey and Jenkins when visiting the huff or going to classes on the south oval.  With the construction limiting the number of spaces, students are forced to park elsewhere or illegally.

“I have a class at the huff, and since the construction started last week, I have had to circle the parking lot for fifteen minutes to find a spot, said Chandler Shockey psychology junior.  “Now I park across from Jenkins, which is a pretty far walk, but it’s worth it to avoid circling the parking lot.”

Construction will continue throughout the week and students need to be aware that the lot is closed so they can plan accordingly in order to be on time for class.