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Oklahoma in the deep freeze
A visit from Congressional Delegates
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THE
February 7, 1989 Vol. 87, No. 31
VISTA
Tuesday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Choking charges untrue, he says
Parker enters plea By Jerry Pierce
Managing Editor Central State University's director of criminal justice studies and assistant dean of liberal arts pleaded not guilty Thursday in Oklahoma County District Court to a misdemeanor charge of assaulting his former girlfriend. Dr. William D. Parker, 54, of Edmond, refused comment as he left the courtroom Thursday about charges he choked CSU graduate Edwinna Sue Madden in her apartment Jan. 3. Parker's attorney, D.C. Thomas of Oklahoma City, said he wanted more time to review the case before commenting. "At this point, you probably know more about the case than we do," Thomas said. A disposition date of Feb. 23 is set for Parker in Oklahoma County District Court, Thomas said. Edmond Mayor Carl Reherman, an assistant professor of political science at CSU, said in published reports last week that he had been questioned by the FBI on the case. Police said Parker, Madden and Reherman were friends and that Reherman • had intervened 11 and persuaded Parker to leave Parker after the incident. Madden, 26, of Edmond, who received a bachelor's degree in political science from CSU in 1985, according to university records, and is an assistant for constituent affairs in Gov. Henry Bellmon's office, told police Parker forced his way into her Edmond apartment around 8 p.m. Jan. 3, apparently intoxicated, and choked her until "she thought she was going to die," the police report states. Gary Wayne Hoppis, 39, of Del City, was on the telephone with Madden before and during the incident and called police, according to the police report. Edmond Police Captain Ron Cavin said Hoppis is a friend of Madden's. Madden said she broke free from Parker and left her apartment, but returned later. Edmond police arrived about this time, the report states. Cavin said Madden came back to the apartment complex to see if Parker's car was still there. When she saw that it was gone, she
returned to her apartment, Cavin said. After the police left, the report states that Parker "started calling her," but Madden hung up on him. Cavin said Madden called
Reherman for help after Parker came back to Madden's apartment a second time, and Reherman talked Parker into leaving. "The young lady had called
Please see Parker on page 8.
13,212 enrolled hits CSU spring record Central State University reached a record breaking spring enrollment of 13,212, said Linda Jones, director of communications. The total spring enrollment this semester is 3.7 percent higher than last spring's. "This is the first time in history it has topped 13,000," said President Bill Lillard. Sophomore enrollment is up the highest with an 8.2 percent increase. The next highest enrollment is the freshman enrollment with a 5.9 percent increase. Darrell Gilliland, acting director of admissions and records, 215 new freshmen enrolled this semester. "These are new freshmen who have not been enrolled elsewhere before," Gilliland said. There are 902 transfer students, adding up to 1,117 new students on campus. The graduate enrollment remains stable with only a 0.5 percent decline. According to Lillard, one reason for the increase in enrollment is the spiraling increase of tuition at all colleges and universities. He said that "even though our tuition and fees have also increased, the cost of attending CSU is still somewhat less than attending one of the two comprehensive universities."
Jones said the increase in enrollment is also due to recruitment of more, but better students and also to efforts made in retaining students. "We make an effort to retain our students through scholarships and study skill programs." She also said that CSU tries to accommodate students needs, realizing that a lot of them have to work in order to meet their financial needs. "Some programs, like the master's of business administation, have all night classes to accommodate students," Jones said. Lillard said another reason for the increase in enrollment is because "many of our students who live near CSU find it more economical to live at home and commute." Jones agreed and told of a "prepharmacy student who is reluctant to leave CSU to study his pharmacy degree elsewhere because he has a family and a good job here." Lillard said that "our record enrollment continues to emphasize the need for additional classroom space." According to Jones, the biggest space crunch is from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Roy Ferdowsian p uts plastic over new plants in front of the Art Building. An Artic bla st pushed into Oklahoma last week, bringing with it record low temperatures. Please see related story on page four. (Photo by Chris Rush)
2 resident halls close floor due to vacancy By Kamal Mazlan
Staff Writer Central State University closed one floor in East and West halls this semester because CSU housing is about 10 percent vacant, said Dana Christman, housing manager. "To cut down costs and energy, we had to close down one floor each in East and West halls. We'll keep those floors for workshops. However, we will not close down any more floors this semester," Christman said. Each floor in East and West halls have about 35 spaces. "We're fortunate to close down only two floors, and not the halls. At Oklahoma University and Oklahoma State University, for example, an entire resident hall will be shut down whenever there
are any vacancies," she said. There are four resident halls at CSU: East, Thatcher, West and Murdaugh. East Hall can accommodate about 440 people, West Hall 430, Murdaugh Hall 280 and Thatcher Hall 150. Christman attributed the vacancies to lower enrollment this semester and students graduating, marrying or losing financial aid. Also, CSU does not have many "traditional students," Christman said. Many students work full-time and go to school part-time. "Our sudents are considerably older and many have families to care for." The latest figures Christman received shows about 850 people presently living in the four resident halls.
Computer lab helpful, Lamb says By Kamal Mazlan
Staff Writer Campus reception to the newlyopened computer lab in the Liberal Arts Building at Central State University has been excellent, said lab coordinator and analyst Paul Lamb. "Since the computer lab was opened early this semester, we've a lot of interest from different departments, such as art, music, English and sociology," Lamb said. He said the idea to set up the
computer lab was conceived by Dr. Clif' Warren, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at CSU. "Dr. Warren said he thought CSU liberal arts graduates will be in a disadvantaged positior•in the job market if they know next to nothing about computers. Computers are now pervasive in all areas of education and the job market. It's not meant for cornputer science majors only. "The dean felt that if the cornputer lab was set up in one contained area, it would give liberal
arts students an opportunity to learn and express their creative ideas by way of computers," Lamb said. The lab presently has two MacIntosh IIx computers and six terminals to the VAX at the Computer Center at CSU. Lamb said the college is ordering two MacIntosh SE-30's, which are smaller versions of Mac IIx, and four Mac Plus's. "Pending approval by the Oklahoma State Board of Regents for Higher Education, the new
machines will arrive between four to six weeks time, sometime in March. The college would by then spend about $45,000 to $50,000 on the lab set-up," said Lamb. He said art students are using the Mac IIx in the Computer Graphics course. "It's the most asked for course on campus right now among art majors. "The main reason is most art and advertising agencies in the U.S. are using computers for their
Please see Computer on page 8.