THE February 16, 1989 Vol. 87, No. 34
,ITISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
No charges filed in death of baby Grandmother wants answers, facts
Oklahoma's congressional delegation is pictured with former Gov. George Nigh (first row left and CSU President Bill Lillard (first row right), during a Salute to Congress. (Photo By Dan Smith)
By Valli Covert Editor in Chief Copywright Feb. 16, 1989 by Valli Covert. Oklahoma County District Attorney's office will not file charges in the death of a 27-dayold infant who lived in Central State University's married-student housing. In a prepared statement, Patrick Morgan, first assistant district attorney, said Tuesday, "after careful review of the investigation reports we are of the opinion that at this time there is insufficient evidence on which to base a criminal charge against the person or persons who may be responsible for this child's death. "The investigation revealed
Congressional delegation says,
Education key to economic recover By Tim Ray Special to The Vista Education will provide the means to rebuild the state of Oklahoma and the nation to prominence and is the only truly effective weapon in the war on drugs, members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation told those in attendance at the "Salute to Congress" hosted Friday, Feb. 10, by the Nigh Institute of State Government at Central State University. The rare gathering of nearly every member of Oklahoma's congressional delegation resulted in a sell-out crowd of 600 guests—including more than 100 CSU students, faculty and staff members—for the banquet and reception hosted by the Ngh Institute, headed by former Gov. George Nigh. The only dignitary missing was senior U.S. Sen. David Boren, who was detained in Washington, D.C., by a meeting of the Senate
Intelligence Committee, which he chairs. Many of the congressmen expressed hope and confidence in President Bush's pledge to be an education president. "I want to help President Bush be an education president," said 3rd District Rep. Wes Watkins. "But if we're going to be the number one nation in the world in terms of commerce and military strength, we have to be number one in education". "The only way to turn things around is by investing to have the brightest minds in the world. And I would like to see Oklahoma take the lead," Watkins said. 6th District Rep. Glenn English, who has been a leader in the fight against drugs, said education is the key in such a war which involves a determined foe that is better financed that the U.S. efforts to curb the drug flow. "Education is our ultimate weapon in our war on drugs,"
English said. "If there is a single front on which the war can be won, it's with education. This is a war we cannot afford to lose." 2nd District Rep. Mike Synar said shortfalls in education are hindering the nation as well as individuals. More than 23 million Americans are functionally illiterate, which is a higher figure that the number of people who are unemployed, Synar said. Also, one out of four ninth-graders today won't finish college. "I don't think we can rely on the vending-machine policies of the past," he said. "The true test of success will be measured in people's lives. Does every Oklahoman and American have the opportunity to share in the American dream?" Individuals should take the initiative to improve current conditions, Synar said. "One person can make a difference," he said. "It's only through individual responsibility
Bids taken for projects By Kamal Mazlan Staff Writer Central State University will soon advertise bids for for a $35,000 electrical upgrade project at Howell Hall and a $15,000 study of the campus drainage system, Director of Purchasing Ron Mattingly said. "We'll probably advertise the electrical bid next week in the Oklahoma Journal, a business publication based in Oklahoma City," he said. Mattingly said he will also send a copy of the bid to the Oklahoma City office of McGraw-Hill Dodge Reports, a construction
news publication for Oklahoma companies. The electrical project was approved last November by the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education. Mattingly said CSU's purchasing office is advertising the drainage bid in the Oklahoma Journal for three weeks in March. Also, a copy of this bid will be send to McGraw-Hill and a few land survey companies that have expressed interest in the project. The objective of the electrical project is to upgrade electrical sources at Howell and Mitchell halls.
"Built 50 years ago, Howell Hall had adequate electricity. Today, however, the hall carries a lot of scientific equipment, including personal computers. "In fact, if they were to buy a big equipment now and plug in, it's not going to work. Hopefully, the additional electrical power will be sufficient well into the 1990s," Mattingly said of the project, which is part of a $1.3 million renovation of the hall. He said Howell Hall is the biggest user of electricity on campus because it is a science department. The drainage study, approved Please see Howell on page 8.
that collective action can make a difference." "There probably isn't such a thing as enough money to deal with the educational problems in the U.S.," 5th District Rep. Please see Congress on page 8.
that the state medical examiner is of the opinion that the child's death was a homicide." Corey B. Carter, of Broncho II Apartments, 600 N. Chowning. died shortly after being taken to Edmond Memorial Hospital Aug. 30. The autopsy report from the State Medical Examiner's Office indicated the infant died from blunt force trauma to the head. The baby sustained two broken collarbones, a broken right tibia, a swollen brain and a skull fracture, according to medical examiner records. He also suffered from a low body temperature of 84 degrees, according to CSU police Sgt. Ed Forbes. Carter's grandmother, who asked that her name not be used, said when contacted Tuesday night there has been too much publicity already and facts have not been given to the press. "Talking about it upsets us, we are angry about it (the investigation). I know for a fact the baby was not beaten. The whole manner in which it was handled was wrong." "The baby's father wouldn't even let a cat around him. She said her daughter and son-in-law Please see Baby on page 8.
No violation of law, says Jacob, Eisner By Valli Covert Editor in Chief The state of Oklahoma's nepotism law states it is unlawful for any executive...officer to appoint or vote for appointment of any person related to him by consanguinty within the third degree, to any position...in any department of the state...of which he is a member, when the salary...is to be paid by public funds or the fees of the office. Dr. Clyde Jacob, vice president of academic affairs, said he was not in violation of the state's nepotism law when he recommended his sister, Wanda Johnson who is an instructor in the College of Education, to President Bill Lillard for employment. Jacob said he did not know Johnson had applied for the position until the recommendation from education Dean Kenneth Elsner came across his desk. Johnson is employed as a psychology and personnel service instructor. According to Elsner, whenever a faculty position is available, advertisements are sent out and applications are received by the college. A screening committee then selects the best qualified ap-
plicants and recommends them to the chairperson of the department. The chairperson then submits his recommendation to the dean, who in turn submits it to the vice president, then the president and ultimately the Board of Regents for Oklahoma Colleges for approval. Elsner said he was aware Johnson was Jacob's sister, but the committee was unaware of it. Jacob also indicated the committee had no prior knowledge Johnson was his sister. Jacob said he discussed the issue with Lillard before recommending Johnson for employment. "We have been above board about this whole issue," Jacob said. "We did not want anyone to question whether we were in violation of any law." Jacob said he wanted the most qualified candidate to receive appointments, and the quality of education and professors were his top priorities. The Vista learned of the issue when sent an anonymous letter which indicated Johnson was Jacob's sister. Jacob said the regents had also been sent a copy of the letter, Please see Jacob on page 8.