THEVIsaps,
University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY February 15, 1996
The Student Voice Since 1903
Student workers may get higher minimum wages By Mary Reinauer Staff Writer
Six hundred and fifty UCO student workers stand to get a real Valentine's Day present this year. A motion before the Oklahoma House of Representatives would raise the minimum wage scale to $5 an hour, said the bill's author, Rep. Opio Toure, D-Okla. County, District 99. The bill will be voted on either Feb. 14 or 21 and has met no visible opposition from legislators, he said. - The wage increase would be the first in eight to 10 years, said Toure, when it went from $3.75 to the present $4.25, an increase of 56.5 percent. In contrast, tuition has increased from $15.30 a semester hour in 1985 to the
present $43, said Laura Tyree, UCO institutional research analyst. This indicates an increase of 281 percent. Blanche Washington, personnel services director, said almost all students employed by UCO make $4.25 an hour. Toure said the increase would improve the standard of living for "the working poor" and boost chances that they have the basic necessities. Although it's not his ultimate goal, Toure said long term tax gains are a likely bonus. He cited the situation of a family with two children and two minimum wage earners. Such limited income limits child care options. The raise would _help them afford better child care, he said. "I don't see anybody taking any exotic trips on $5 per hour. It's still a tight squeeze, but it's better," he said.
Strike, puff, what a drag... A student lights up outside the Communications Building between classes. Smoking at UCO is not permitted except in designated smoking areas. This policy follows laws established in the Smoking in Public Places Act of 1987. (Staff photo by Laurette Graham) V See related story, Page 10
UCO seeks replacement for vice president By Gayleen Langthorn Staff Writer
A top administrative position which oversees all matters relating to UCO's administrative and financial management was
recently vacated and a search has begun to fill the position. President George Nigh has named a selection committee of 11 people who will recommend candidates for the position of vice president for administration. Nigh will then select one
candidate, who will be approved by the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges (BOROC). The only written policy for this process comes from the board of regents and it states that the president "is required to make recommendations to the
Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges on the employment of faculty personnel, administrative personnel at the vice presidential level." "When I became president three and a half years ago, I said publicly that I believe in the
community involvement. I believe in the committee process..." said Nigh. He said he has always taken the recommendations of the committee. Concerns have been voiced by V See SELECTION, Page 4
INSIDE TODAY INDEX Editorial 2 Sports 6,7 Entertainment 8,9 Around Campus ... 11 Classifieds 12
SPORTS What's new in the wide, wide world of sports? Get the scoop in The Vista's sports pages.
'Javelin roe-antaleur division' was wisely scratched Inam the luck mewl schedule.
MUSIC REVIEw Pavement in concert and a new 8 CD. Learn about it in the Entertainment pages.
THIS WEEKEND Find out what there is to do this weekend in The Vista's Around Town column.
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