InFAIRmation

Halo: Reach Arrives

Halo: Reach, the newest installment in the popular Xbox 360 gaming franchise, hit store shelves on Sept. 14. The much-anticipated shooter made $200 million in its first day, and it is already shaping up to be one of the highest-selling video games of all time.

The storyline is a prequel to the first Halo game, Halo: Combat Evolved, which was released in 2001. Gamers can expect to see their favorite characters and weapons from previous games in this installment, along with plenty of new levels, story events and bonus content.

Bungie, the company behind all of the Halo games, has announced that Reach will be its final contribution in the Halo franchise. However, Bungie will definitely go out with a bang; this game has many young adults excited and ready to play.

The opening screen for Halo: Reach. (Photograph by Jake McClure)

Dakota Wilkinson, OU sophomore, plays his copy of Halo: Reach in his appartment. Wilkinson: "The game is awesome. It's everything I expected from Halo." (Photograph by Jake McClure)

Wilkinson shows more of his Halo talent. (Photograph by Jake McClure)

Does OU Remember?

Nine years ago, the world as we know it changed forever.

Everyone remembers the scene of smoke and devastation. Everyone remembers where they were when the towers fell in 2001.

Or do they?

On the ninth anniversary of one of the most influential days in our nation's history, OU students went about their routines on a typical Saturday on the Norman campus, and that routine included a much-anticipated football game against Florida State.

That game seemed to take precedence over everything else, as is usually the case on OU home game days.

But did the game really push the memory of the 9/11 attack out of the minds of OU students? Has time really healed such a deep wound that impacted so many Americans?

OU students don't think so.

"I saw the flag flying at half-mast at the game. We haven't forgotten," said John Miller, an international area studies major at OU. "I think people remember the still remember the anniversary. I mean, it impacted my childhood a lot. It's not something you forget easily."

Garrett Gee, a sophomore at OU, echoed Miller's sentiments.

"I remember what day it is, and I think everyone else does too. I think we're Americans first and Sooners second," said Gee. "Just because there's a big game today doesn't mean we forget about it."

Despite all the time that has passed, OU students haven't forgotten the tragedy of nine years ago, and Miller doesn't think they ever will.

"It's a part of our generation and our heritage. It's always going to be a part of my life, as much as being a Sooner will be."

Rush, but Don't Hurry

If you were taking a stroll down Greek Row two weeks ago - or, more likely, driving in your car and basking in your air conditioning - you may have seen hundreds of sharply dressed young men meandering down the sidewalk.

These hearty freshmen endured heat, rain and many, many handshakes as they toured the many fraternity houses that dot the University of Oklahoma's surrounding neighborhoods. August 28th marked the beginning of fall formal rush for the 18 OU fraternities, and that meant the new male students who were interested in going through the rush process had a lot of walking to do.

Around 600 young men signed up for formal rush, and OU's Interfraternity Council divided them up into groups of 20-30 to tour each fratenity house. Each group went to a different house in turn, met the memebrs of each house and took house tours everywhere they went. Most fraternities provided snacks and drinks for the hot and tired rushees.

Sage Ranallo, a freshman going through rush, said he really enjoyed the process, even though it got kind of taxing toward the end.

"I met so many guys, they all kind of blurred together," laughed Ranallo. "But its been great. I'm really excited to find a house that I fit in to."

When asked which house had caught his attention the most, Ranallo was unsure, but optimistic.

"There's so many houses and guys, I'm sure I'll find a place (for me). It's just a matter of time. I can't wait."

Zac Corrales, another freshman going through rush, is excited about getting involved on campus and thinks fraternities are a good way to do just that.

"Everyone told me that fraternites do a lot of community service and philanthropy events, and I really want to do that kind of stuff," said Corrales. "I want to get the most out of college. I've heard greek life is the way to go."

Fraternites gave out bid cards to rushees last week, which means that those young men who received one became official pledges of their respective fraternities. Now, OU's Greek houses celebrate their new additions and eagerly await spring rush, when they get to do it all over again next semester.

If you're interested in finding out more about spring rush or OU's Greek system in general, visit the University of Oklahoma's IFC webpage by going to studentlife.ou.edu.

Mission Statement

My goal with this blog will be to report news that affects the Univeristy of Oklahoma, its students and its die-hard fans.