University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY February 22, 1996
The Student Voice Since 1903
Oklahoma's economy shows upward trends This is the final installment on a two-part series on the economy. By Gayleen Langthorn Staff Writer The economy appears to be doing better. So what does that mean in terms of jobs? The job market in Oklahoma is slightly better than the national average. The most recent statistics show unemployment in Oklahoma at 4.7 percent in November, 1995. At that time, the national average was 5.3 percent, according to figures from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. That's good news for UCO students since most who register with Career Development and Placement Services (CD&PS) want to stay in Oklahoma, said Dr. Kathryn Gage, director of
CD&PS. "To narrow it down even .more, most want to stay in the Oklahoma City area," she said. Job searchers can rest a little easier because the number of companies visiting UCO to interview students increased 40 percent in Fall 1995 over Fall 1994. Gage attributes the increase to several factors. Companies are becoming more aware of UCO and telling others about the positive experience they have had with hiring UCO graduates. "Once they know what we have here, they're flocking," Gage said. The CD&PS recruits all year, not just around graduation time. Gage stresses that students need to register with CD&PS "earlier than you think." Although it varies by degree choice and individual, she recommends for best exposure,
students should register at least the semester before they graduate. Gage said occasionally a company visits the CD&PS and desperately needs an employee. They may even be flexible, letting a student work part-time and become familiar with the organization so they are ready to start full-time immediately after graduation. The increase in campus recruitment is a nationwide trend based on a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Some employers are visiting campuses to recruit for the first time. While the starting salaries have not increased much over last year, very few have decreased. For those who are still deciding what to study, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has made predictions about the job V See ECONOMY, Page 10
Welcome... UCO President George Nigh, right, formally announces Dr. Warren Armstrong as interim vice president of administration at a press conference Monday. (Staff photo by Laurette Graham)
SGA vice president encourages participation 99 By Jessica Halliburton
considering the low number of Staff Writer I think Julie will be a good addition to SGA to get more student votes (only 184 of the 14,513 students enrolled at UCO voted). involvement. Student activities are nothing —Dustin Gregory The new vice president for new to Blount. As a sophomore SGA president UCO's Student Government at UCO, she's the secretary of the Student Programming Board, Association (SGA), Julie Blount, cast in a special election Feb. 13 boosting student involvement at activities going," she said. was sworn into office Feb. 19. and 14, UCO. Blount said she felt like she social chair of the Sigma Kappa She won 126 of the 184 votes Blount ran on a platform of "I want to get more student had her work cut out for her V See SGA, Page 4
INSIDE TODAY INDEX Editorial 2 Entertainment 6,7 Sports 8,9 Around Town 14 Around Campus 15 Classifieds 16
ENTERTAINMENT Japanimation and Ellen find success in motion pictures. Read about it in the entertainment pages,
SPORTS LSC player of the week At Segova leads UCO against TAMUK.
SUCCESS UCO's Lori Briscoe secures a role in the National Opera Company in North Carolina.
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