SGA president sees bright future for OU students

Student Government Association President Joe Sangirardi announced that OU is heading in the right direction at the annual State of the SGA address Wednesday in Beaird Lounge.

Addressing a small crowd of OU students, Sangirardi reflected upon some of SGA’s accomplishments upon the past year and shed some light on what he expects within the coming years.

 “I think SGA is moving into a great place. We need to continue to reorganize the institutions we have in place so they can better work in a modern place with a modern bureaucracy,” Sangirardi said.

OU sophomore and SGA representative from the life science district, Ozair Naqvi, was pleased with the address and praised the advancements SGA has made over the past year.

“One thing I really like is how he explained the cooperation between all three branches this year. It’s been unprecedented in our student government history and has allowed us to get a lot of things done on behalf of students,” Naqvi said.

Sangirardi, who has been president since last May and is entering his last month in office, offered his advice for SGA.

“If we can continually create a culture that strives for leadership development internally, that will allow in the future for student government to be much for effectual because the people who are involved in it, will be prepared going in,” Sangirardi said.

For more information on SGA and how to apply for a position within student government, visit uosa.ou.edu.

SGA President Joe Sangirardi addresses students Wednseday at Beaird Lounge. PHOTO: Chris Corbaz

Stub Hub. PHOTO: Chris Corbaz

The Gold Standard. PHOTO: Chris Corbaz

Colonel predicts war with Iran

Two dozen students and professors from the College of International Studies were present at a luncheon Wednesday, to hear Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson’s warning about a possible war with Iran.

Wilkerson is a retired army colonel and is the former chief of staff to United States Secretary of State Colin Powell. Wilkerson, who now teaches at the College of William & Mary and George Washington, had a stern warning for the American people.

“We are going to war. The president has said it is unacceptable that Iran has nuclear capability. He has said all options are available, that includes the military action,” Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson encourages politicians in Washington to negotiate with Iran strictly through diplomacy, to avoid another Iraq or Afghanistan. However, he fears that if negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program don’t work, it will lead to a ground invasion within the next five years.

 “Any regime in Iran even if it looks like Thomas Jefferson reincarnated is going to want a nuclear program. So we invade, in 10- to 13-years, 2- to 3-trillion dollars and no better results than in Iraq or Afghanistan,” said Wilkerson.

Despite this foresight Wilkerson believes diplomacy will not help attain the necessary results to prevent another Middle East conflict. Richard White, an international security studies senior says he agrees with Wilkerson despite his warnings of war.

“There is a lot to think about it. When people come in from the government they say party line stuff and we didn't get that from Colonel Wilkerson,” White said.

The Colonel did give one final word before the luncheon concluded. “If you loved Iraq, you’re going to love Iran,” he said with a smirk on his face.

For more information about this event you can contact KGOU or the College of International Studies at Hester Hall.

Sam Noble Museum to host Dream Course

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History will host renowned professors from all over the country as a part of the OU Presidential Dream Course. 

University of Oklahoma science professors Ingo Schlupp and Ola Fincke who teach animal behavior and behavioral ecology, invited these professors to come speak with students on a variety of scientific issues. Topics include how the study of bees can help us understand neurons in the brain and the evolution of lizards.

Jen Tregarthen, a marketing officer for the museum thinks that this is a great opportunity for students. “There is a great relationship between the museum and the university so we always hope for a great turnout at these events” she said.

The Dream Course series began in 2004 and are funded by President David Boren. OU professors submit ideas that will enhance an undergraduate course and if chosen they are presented with a $20,000 check to bring in speakers according to the Oklahoma Daily website.

Anyone can attend but it is also possible to enroll in the course for three credit hours. This course began on Monday night with speaker Dr. Craig Packer from the University of Minnesota. The next lecture will take place on Feb. 13 at 7 pm at the museum with Dr. Hans Hofman. For more information students can contact the museum by calling (405) 325-4712.