THE March 17, 1988 Vol. 86, No. 43
,ITISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Proposed advisory board draws praise and criticism By J. Money
Editor An Oklahoma House of Representatives resolution proposing a student advisory board for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education has drawn criticism from the chairman of the board and praise from a student government president. Chairman Avalon B. Reece of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education said she wasn't sure it was a good plan. "Depending upon the powers of the board, I might have some reservations," Reece said. "If the students were elected on a yearly basis," she continued, "by the time those elected one
year were just becoming used to their responsibilities, it would be time for another election." Reece said students should have some say in matters of concern to them, but she wasn't sure if the board was the right approach. But Central State University Student Association President Jeff Shilling said a student advisory board has been a frequent topic at OSGA meetings. "The biggest fear regents and administrators have about it is that students on the board might not have the interest of the education system at heart," said Shilling. He said another fear of the ad-
CSU recruitment plan targets junior colleges
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Photographic Services: Dan Smith
These blossomed flowers indicate that the arrival of spring is just around the corner. But winter has not released its grip on Oklahoma. The state has a chance for snow today and temperatures are expected to peak in the upper 30s.
By Margaret Maher
Central State University's High School and College Relations Department has begun a new recruitment plan with junior colleges.
Faculty senate postpones award By Mary Martin
The Educator of the Year Award will be postponed this year until an "appropriate way to rank the faculty has been decided," said Lewis Irving, Central State University professor of sociology. Irving, who is also a faculty senator, said, "at this point the Faculty Senate has decided to table the award and put it aside due to lack of dates and informa-
tion about the faculty members." "Information involving teaching abilities, contributions to the campus, and community services is still needed." Irving said one way to determine the award might be to have a print out of all faculty accumulative grade points from student evaluations and rank them accordingly. The faculty member with the
highest rating would then be selected. This would put the award on more of a competitive level instead of making it a popularity contest or "'good ole boy' prize," said Irving. Despite the cancellation of the Faculty Senate's Educator of the Year Award, the Student Association Senate will continue with their award. The student award will be presented April 20.
Sue Thompson, director of the program, said they decided to concentrate more on junior colleges after learning that 39 percent of CSU's new students enrolled for the fall 1986 semester came from them. Thompson said representatives from her office plan to visit every junior college in Oklahoma at least once this semester. The program involves speaking to junior college students about CSU's academic programs. Thompson said that was because Junior college students tend to be more focused on their degree goals than high school students. They are usually more concerned about the scholastic part of a university than the social or extracurricular aspects.
ministrators is that the students might not be adequately prepared to deal with complex issues and might not be aware of financial workings of universities. "At a typical meeting," Shilling continued, "all the regents hear is the administration's side of issues. Without having student input, they can't always make the most intelligent decisions. "We just want a voice." The resolution, which was passed in February, calls for a sevenmember board. The members would be elected to annual terms by the Oklahoma Student Government Association (OSGA) at its annual meeting. Two members of the board would represent the state's comprehensive universities, two members would represent the state's regional and senior universities, two members would represent the state's junior colleges and one member would represent accredited independent colleges and universities. Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Jim Barker said at a press conference Feb. 24 the input of the students on the advisory board would be important. "Quality education is vital to the future goals of Oklahoma, and I believe the renewed commitment to higher education and the creation of this student advisory board will certainly help toward moving us forward in this state," Barker said. Rep. Penny Williams, D-Tulsa, said the idea for the resolution actually came from students. "If we want to have ongoing communication, we need to insure that conversation takes place on a monthly basis at the policy- making level," said Williams.
Employees may see insurance costs rise By Krista Townsend
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Student Writer Full-time employees with of Central State University with dependents may see an increase in the cost of their health insurance. American Fidelity Insurance, the company that handles coverage of CSU employees, is seeking either a 41 percent increase in costs or a decrease in benefits with a lower increase in costs. "It has not been firmly decided how much rates would increase," said Ron Yoxfimer, vice president of corporate sales at American Fidelity. "We will decide no later than March 31 as to what we want to do," said Yoxfimer. "However, the new rate will not be effective until July 1."
The reason for the increase is an "adverse loss ratio," said Yoxfimer. "American Fidelity is paying out more in medical claims than they are receiving in premiums," he said. Keith Allen, executive secretary of the Board of Regents for Oklahoma Colleges, said another reason for the increase is that health care costs are increasing more quickly than the cost of living rate. Insurance rates have increased for the past two years since American Fidelity began handling coverage of CSU employees. Employees' insurance costs are paid by the university, but the employees must pay for the cost of their dependents.
Photographic Services: Darrin Presley
Cindy Fields (left) cringed as Doreen Kott pricked her finger to check her blood for iron level and type at the Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive held on campus this week.