Union Programming Board Meeting

"I will be your host for the evening," Steven Lee, student advisor, said beginning the Union Programming Board meeting. Thursday at 7 p.m. in Meacham auditorium, UPB will host an "As Seen On TV" game show night.

UPB meets every other Wednesday at 9 p.m. Last night, they talked about the game show, excited by its prizes, the Shake Weight, Bump-it and Snuggie; all "As Seen on TV" products.

Members laughed while playing "Pulse," an icebreaker, teaching the keys of communication. "Last week we played musical chairs," Liia Melders, english senior, said. UPB is practicing communication to help them plan events.

They are hoping to raise money to fund a scholarship for a student in the Bridges program. Bridges is a non-profit organization funded by the United Way, grants, and private donations. It helps high school and college students living alone because of a family crisis.

Executive director of Bridges, Debra Krittenbrink spoke to UPB about homelessness.

"There are some 100 homeless high school students," Krittenbrink said. "I work with homeless high school students who are on their own, not because they got in trouble with the law, but maybe because their parents were incarcerated."

Those students live at Bridges. A Bridges student pays rent based on their income. The program helps students with school expenses, medical care, clothing and more.

"We don't want to set them up to fail," Krittenbrink said. Bridges goal is education; 50 percent of students who completed the Bridges program completed higher education.

"That's why I came," Melder said. "I wanted to know more about Bridges."

UPB thanked Krittenbrink for coming and Lee began talking about the "As Seen On TV" game show.

Volunteers are needed at 6 p.m. on Thursday to help with spotlights, curtains and crowd control. Volunteers cannot participate in the show if they help on set. Those who don't want to volunteer can come and play "Deal or No Deal," "Family Feud," and other popular game shows. There's no charge to play and each viewer will put their name into a container to be chosen for playing, similar to the "Price is Right" Lee said.

UPB is hosting Relaxation Station, a spa night, where students can relax. Whitney Richardson and Melissa Little are co-chairing the committee. Vendors come to the Oklahoma Memorial Union to give haircuts, manicures, eyebrow waxes, and other salon services. The tentative date is April 2 and starting Sun., February 28, volunteers are asking salons for their services.

"They will be paid and it's very structured with contracts and everything," Little said. "We just need man power."

"Diamonds are a Mom's Best Friend" is the theme for Mom's day weekend. Emily Mapes and Tyler Nunley chair the Mom’s day committee and meetings start this week.

Last item on the agenda was Sooner Idol. Applications for the committee are due March 12 to the third floor of the union. To contact UPB, e-mail upb@ou.edu. The next meeting is Wed., March 10.