Jiyeun Heo

Contestants in the Miss and Mr. Indian OU pageant will celebrate their American Indian heritage Saturday in talent shows highlighting contestants’ unique tribes. The pageant will consist of an opening greeting in the contestants’ native language, a talent show, personal interviews with the judges and a two- to three-minute speech about their goals if selected as Miss Indian and Mr. India, said Millie Bigler, current Miss Indian OU and mechanical engineering sophomore.  READ MORE

An OU constitutional institute intends to provide students the opportunity to examine national cultural and political issues through the introduction of a new on-campus discussion group.  READ MORE

The OU Hispanic American Student Association crowned a new Miss Hispanic OU on Saturday night at Meacham Auditorium in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Advertising junior Brianna Narvaez was crowned 2011 Miss Hispanic OU and awarded $1,000 along with her title. READ MORE

The Department of International and Area Studies has added three faculty members intended to broaden the scope of the department’s disciplinary reach. Two assistant professors were hired to focus on Brazilian and South Asian studies, and an associate professor was hired to specialize in Iranian studies. READ MORE

Free beginning and intermediate Turkish language classes are being offered twice a week to any student interested in learning about the language and culture of Turkey. The class started with 25 enrolled members and is taught by Turkish volunteer instructors. Turkish Student Association President Arif Keceli is a geography doctorate student and one of the instructors. READ MORE

OU students can earn three hours of upper division human relations credit by participating in a community service road trip. Students Today Leaders Forever is an OU organization that coordinates with the Pay It Forward Tour over spring break and allows students to participate in local community services as well as sightseeing in cities across the nation.  READ MORE

A local transit system has taken steps to be more environmentally conscious this semester by adding six vehicles powered by natural gas to its rotation. With the implementation of the compressed natural gas buses since January, Cleveland Area Rapid Transit has 21 buses and 12 vans in service, CART spokeswoman Vicky Holland said. READ MORE

OU College of Law students have visited indigenous communities in Uganda and Venezuela to gather information for reports they will submit to the U.N. Human Rights Council. The reports, which the students hope to file by March 7, will focus on the status of the indigenous people and the challenges they face in the 21st century. READ MORE

A recent national survey found the emotional health of college freshmen has dropped in the past year. The annual survey polled students entering four-year colleges and universities regarding their stress levels and overall emotional health. READ MORE

The four cars in OU’s new WeCar rental program racked up 110 rentals during the program’s first semester, a parking services spokeswoman said. READ MORE