Sign language School ring: Wear it Baseball season taught...page 8 with pride...page 5 to open...page 6
T119 1E
Febru ary 20, 86
Vol. 84, No. 36
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Catching it while it's not With the increase in temperatures prompting summer wear, Ed Rigo and Joni Roby relax outside while they study near the Max Chambers Library. Last week, some classes were canceled due to icy streets. Students quit throw-
,
ing snowballs, only to replace them with Frisbees.
Photographic services: Tom Gilbert
Trends
Low college costs attract Malaysians By Dominica Ihegboro Thanks in part to one country tripling the cost of their education and CSU's relatively low price tag for international students, a new group has moved in to the neighborhood. Malaysians, residents of a two island country about the size of New Mexico in southeast Asia, now rank No. 2 in international enrollment here with 125 students. Nigeria, with 197 students, are the most populously represented foreign nation here. According to Dr. Ronald Paddack, international student advisor, the number of Malaysian students on campus has doubled by 300 percent in the last three years. The country won their independence in Sept. 16, 1963. "Traditionally the Malaysians went to Britain to study," Paddack said, "but a law passed by the British Parliament tripled the cost of education for international students." The Malaysians, with the help of their own government, have turned to America
where education is less expensive, said Paddack. Paddack said he was delighted to have Malaysian students here at CSU. They are good students, responsible in the community and they know how to manage their money Paddack said. Chan Karching, the president of the Malaysian student association, said he was impressed with the enrollment cost at CSU. He also praised the student/professor relationship here. "Professors are always willing to help anytime you go to them with a problem," Karching said. "They know that students have trouble understanding them, just as they have trouble understanding students as well." The MSA was officially recognized on campus last fall, said Karching. He said the association is intended to bring the Malaysian students together. The Malaysian population consists primarily of: ■ Malays (the original Malaysians) with Islamic religious backgrounds;
■ Chinese with Taoist religious backgrounds, and ■ Indians with Hindu religious backgrounds. The offical language is Malay and the offical religion is Islam. "It was a hard job bringing these people together under one country and government," said Karching. "But now my country is united, and as president of the MSA, it's my intention to see that students are together, even here." According to Karching, the MSA has no activities on campus planned yet, but he said they are thinking of touring companies to acquire knowledge on their operations. With out-of-state tuition expected to rise next fall, it will be hard to tell how many of Malaysia's 15.5 million will continue to flock to CSU. "Right now," Paddack said, "it is hard for me to predict the increase of Malaysian students there may be in the future, but I hope to enjoy a large Malaysian enrollment."
Vista graphic by Debbie True