Big postponement for the Big Event

With a predicted snow storm headed for central Oklahoma, Big Event leaders postponed the event until mid-April. Snow began to fall Friday, March 27. Photos by LeighAnne Manwarren.

Due to the inclement of weather, OU's largest community service project, Big Event, was postponed to April 18.

Big Event Chair Amanda Holloway said the decision to postpone the Big Event from Saturday, March 28 until Saturday, April 18 was a joint decision between members of the Big Event executive committee, and personnel in Student Affairs, the President’s Office and at the National Weather Center.

While students were informed of the postponement, student leaders of the Nonprofit Leadership Student Association in association with the American Heart Association were disappointed by the change.

"That day is the American Heart Association's Heart Walk in Oklahoma City," Chelsea Mooneyham, biology sophomore and NLSA secretary, said. "With Big Event moved to that day, there is no way that the OU community can participate in that now."

Big Event leaders and university officials hope that students signed up for Big Event will still participate on its later date.

"We can’t please everyone, but we’re trying to do the best we can for the students and the organizations," Holloway said. "We’re getting everything ready to go on the 18th and looking forward to having a great day."

Economic hardships hit Norman Regional

Norman Regional laidoff 70 employee positions, hospital officials announced last Tuesday.

Hospital officials said in a statement due to current economic conditions affecting healthcare and other businesses both in the state and the nation, Norman Regional had to let go less than 200 employees within the year. Brenda Finkle, Norman Regional's public relations officer, said a majority of the layoffs were within the nursing staff, despite talk of a future nursing shortage.

Finkle said at this time, it would be inappropriate to speak to the staff over current nursing workplace obligations.

Hospital officials hope through the layoffs, it will finalize the actions of their economic recovery plan.

Hospital officials earlier this week cited lower patient revenue and higher accounts receivables affecting their budget. At the meeting, they have also identified an additional $5 million in non-salary savings for the remainder of the fiscal year, ending June 30, 2009.

**Norman Regional hospital. Photo by: LeighAnne Manwarren**