University of Central Oklahoma
The Student Voice Since 1903
THURSDAY January 23,1992
UCO elevators not regulated by safety codes By Penny Owen Staff Writer
Youths arrested for vandalism spree EDMOND, Okla. (AP) — Police say two 16-year-old boys face juvenile misdemeanor complaints following a night of vandalism in which dozens of windows were shot out with a BB gun. "They started in the northwest and worked their way all over the city," Lt. Mike Wooldridge said. Wooldridge said police received about 50 complaints from Edmond residents in a four-hour period Sunday night. The vandalism caused between $5,000 and $10,000 damage, he said.
Feminists chastise Tubbs' show locale NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — University of Oklahoma President Richard Van Horn says he will encourage basketball coach Billy Tubbs to make different arrangements next year for his weekly radio show, but the university cannot interfere with an existing contract. Feminists had complained to the university because Tubbs does his weekly radio show from a restaurant that features chesty waitresses in skimpy outfits. Setting the talk show at Hooters in Oklahoma Ci ty is "unprofessional and it's sleazy," said Judith Lewis, a history professor and director of the school's women's studies program.
Aerospace giant to scrap 13,900 jobs HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — United Technologies Corp. announced Tuesday it will eliminate about 13,900 jobs and report a $1 billion loss for the year in a major restructuring. The job reductions amount to 7 percent of the aerospace giant's worldwide work force of 186,000. The company is eliminating 12 percent of its executive jobs. It said it would also close or consolidate more than 100 facilities worldwide.
See World Wrap, back page
The Wright stuff Junior guard Alex Wright has emerged as the nation's sixth top scorer, averaging 25 points per game for Central Oklahoma's high-octane offense, which is second in the nation in scoring with 113 points a game. UCO is flow 13-3 and seeking an NCAA ll ranking. (Photo by Tim Parham)
Student senate rejects tuition payment bill By Sam Powell Staff Writer The University of Central Oklahoma's student senate took action Monday by swearing in new senators, observing Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and rejecting Resolution 91-201, a bill calling for the establishment of a tuition payment plan. The senate almost reached its 39 member limit when 13 new senators were approved, bringing the total number of members to 34. After being sworn in, two members, Larry Rogers and Todd Dealy, were appointed committee directors. Senate President Peter Regan said that Monday was a day to honor an individual who dedicated his life to promoting unity and equality among people. "Martin Luther King, through his peaceful protests, made a significant impact upon society, and I consider him an individual who was truly dedicated to a high purpose," Regan said. "As a direct result of his leadership this country has experienced meaningful changes," he said. Regan said he was reactivating the student senate's Race Relations Committee on
a permanent basis. The committee will serve as an avenue for students to voice concerns to other students, he said. "A primary function of the committee will be to promote racial harmony and cultural diversity at UCO," Regan said. Regan also commented on Resolution 91-202, a bill stating that the student association does not feel an earned doctorate should be a requirement for the office of university president. "There is dissension among the faculty concerning the requirement of an earned doctorate for the next president," he said. "It seems highly evident that students do not perceive an earned doctorate as a prerequisite." Regan said several members of the faculty had told him they do not feel an earned doctorate should be a requirement. Jason Campbell, student senate deputy speaker, said requiring an earned doctorate would be an insult to the entire student body. See Senate, page 3
Fortunately, when Susan Harlow got stuck in the Communications Building elevator last week, there were plenty of people around to hear her yell for help. But what if it had been a Friday night, when she was all alone? There are 13 operating elevators on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, nine of which have no emergency telephones. And some of which have no emergency lighting. Regulations do exist for elevator companies installing new elevators and for municipalities to govern local businesses' elevators. Both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code and the Building Officials and Code Administrators Intl, Inc. Code dictate the standards for elevator operation in commercial buildings. And both mandate having a form of twoway communication and emergency lighting in elevators. Local building inspectors in most Oklahoma towns and cities annually inspect elevators under their jurisdiction, said Oklahoma City Chief Building Inspector Eddie Monarch. If they do not comply with the above codes, the inspector can shut the elevator down until improvements are made. But state-run buildings, such as UCO, are not regularly inspected by an outside party, nor are they required to maintain any type of standard, other than those they set themselves, said Monarch, and other state and local regulatory officials. UCO Head of Communications Harold Elston confirmed the lack of government regulations over UCO. "We have no requirements to provide for safety measures except what we decide for our own satisfaction and security," Elston said. Emergency telephones are a feature that UCO has installed in its elevators in the past, but each time the phones have been stolen, said Joyce Mounce, UCO vice president. Mounce has given authorization, however, to install what is called a "ringdown" telephone in all existing elevators, plus the elevators being built in Old North and the Home Economics Building. The "ringdown" telephone has no dial and a handset not adaptable to conventional telephones, so stealing it would be futile, Elston said. They will ring directly to campus police and the caller will have two minutes to communicate before the telephone goes dead.
Each telephone will cost about $125 each, not including wiring and installation, said Elston, who added that he will do the installation himself. "I would certainly hate to think there's a possibility of someone getting stuck in an elevator on a Friday night," Elston said, "and not be able to get out until the custodian gets there at 6 a.m. Monday morning." V