The Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and practice field for the Sooners. Draft-ineligible athletes are now off-limits to professional sports agents.

House votes to limit contact between student-athletes and sports agents

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a bill prohibiting communication between draft-ineligible student athletes and professional sports agents except for the distribution of promotional brochures.

House Bill 1095, sponsored by Rep. Todd Thomsen, R-Ada, a former kicker on OU's 1985 national championship football team, passed 79-13 Thursday morning. Those ineligible are classified as underclassmen students.

"Scouts still find a way to get in contact with athletes and get in the way of their schoolwork," said Ashley Aary, student athletic trainer.

The measure is headed to the state Senate for debate. To become law, the Senate also must approve the bill.

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Greek community volunteering for Habitat for Humanity

Members of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority volunteer for Greek Build with Pete Street, construction crew leader for Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity. Greek Build is a Habitat for Humanity project sponsored by the OU Greek community and designed by the OU College of Architecture.

Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity's current project is Greek Build, bringing members of the OU Greek community together to build a home for a Norman family.

The Greek community has provided funding and volunteers to help build a home for Joseph Johnson and his 6-year-oldson, JoJo, who was born with Down syndrome and diagnosed with leukemia at age 4.

"There's a world out there bigger than OU," Brenda Luttrell, marketing assistant for Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity said. "There are a lot of people who need our help."

A downloadable volunteer application can be found at Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity's website, http://www.ccokhfh.org/default.htm.

OU raising awareness about The Big Event

OU will host The Big Event March 28, an annual event at over 60 universities in the nation. Awareness Week will take place February 16-20 to raise awareness about the event.

Awareness Week is scheduled at OU Feb. 16-20 to educate the campus about Big Event,the largest student-run community service effort in the nation, according to the event's official website.

Various activities will be provided throughout the week to promote the event scheduled for March 28. Applications for group and individual volunteers will be provided this week.

"I think that Awareness Week is a good idea because I feel like Big Event is such a helpful day," OU student Kaitlyn Dekalb said. "Big Event already has such a great turnout, and the more they prepare for it the more people will show up for it and the community will benefit."

Registration deadline is Feb. 20, and applications can be turned in at the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Raising Cane's Promoting to Norman Community

OU student Rob Barger enjoys a meal from Raising Canes. Barger used his ticket to get his meal free.

Raising Cane's in Norman is making a promotional offer to Sooner sports fans during this basketball season.

If six or more 3-point shots are made during home conference games for men and women's basketball, customers can receive a buy one get one free deal of meals of equal or lesser value on the combo menu.

"It's a fun and unique way to get our product out there," OU student and Cane's employee Jonathan McCauley said.

The offer is good for two business days after the game with proof of game ticket.

A Valentine's Day musical celebration

The University of Oklahoma Schools of Musical Theatre and Music Opera Theatre will host "Suite D’Amour: The Stages of Love Portrayed in Song," at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Reynolds Performing Arts Center.

The Valentine’s Day celebration features a musical performance by students in voice and musical theatre. Proceeds provide scholarships for OU voice and musical theatre students.

The performance will celebrate light, silly and bittersweet kinds of love, said William Ferrara, stage director for the OU Opera Theatre.

"I think it's a great way to spend the holiday, since my significant other goes to school elsewhere," sophomore Kira Moss said. "I'm looking forward to attending the event with my friends."

For tickets, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for faculty, staff and seniors; and $10 for students.

Gould Hall renovation delayed

Caitlin Rodgers, a sophomore interior design major, works on a class project in her apartment.

Renovation of Gould Hall will be delayed due to removal of disease and cancer-causing minerals called asbestos.

Students in the college of architecture will continue studio classes at an empty building on West Main Street. The building formerly housed a craft store.

The $27 million project, which began in summer 2008, will provide the college of architecture with approximately 108,000 square feet of space.

"I'm looking forward to working in the new building," said Caitlin Rodgers, a sophomore interior design major. "At the building on main, we share the room with another class. We have smaller desks and smaller space. It makes it harder to work efficiently."

Expected completion is set for 2011.

OU to host Dance Marathon

The University of Oklahoma will host Dance Marathon to benefit Children's Miracle Network from 4 p.m. to midnight Feb. 6 at the Huston Huffman Center.
Students can volunteer as a dancer for the event, committing to raise at least $100 for medical research.
Each dollar raised will be matched by Children’s Medical Research Institute and by the state of Oklahoma.
"I think Dance Marathon is a great event because it allows our community to grow stronger together, while also helping so many sick children," Dance Marathon executive member Kelly Leito said.
Students can sign up as individuals or with a group, and donations to the organization are accepted.