University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY April 6, 1995
The Student Voice Since 1903
The Vista named No .on 1 in regi â–
By Liz Dorris Staff Writer
AIDS, which appeared in the Dec. 1, School newspaper grabs award about 1994 issue commemorating AIDS Awareness Week. represented by both current "The story was so satisfying to write, for best all-around non-daily and former staff members, made its mark and I was happy to see it placed so well in The Vista,
as it won awards at the "Mark of Oklahoma and Texas universities. writing, said, "I almost didn't enter the the awards," said Mills. "And I was very Excellence" awards ceremony at the Jennifer Palmer, editor in chief of The editorials, but I finally decided that if I happy about The Vista winning best nonSociety of Professional Journalists con- Vista, said, "Our staff is very hard-work- didn't enter I would never win, so I gave it daily newspaper." vention in Stillwater, March 31-April 1. Mg. They, for the most part, go above and a shot...and the initiative really paid off." Roy Howe and Julie Dye tied with In the competition, The Vista won best beyond what is required of them. I think Carol Cole Mills, former managing writers from the University of Texas for all-around non-daily newspaper in the that is what put us over the top." editor of The Vista, won second place in third place for in-depth reporting. Southwest district, which encompasses Palmer, who placed third in editorial the in-depth story category for her story VSee WINNERS, Page 12
SGA, regents combat tuition, 'lack of funds' At the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting held April 3, Jay Parmley, student relations liaison for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, addressed the body on tuition and fees. "It is the only topic that affects the students statewide in a real way," said Parmley. In February, he said, Gov. Frank Keating stood before a joint session of legislature and cut the higher education budget by $13 million. One and a half months later, the governor said the $13 million would be restored to the higher education budget because the institutions would not be able to support a cut. "The cut would be spread out among 26 institutions and some may take it easier than others," said Parmley. "But next year, to open our doors to all the 31 campuses, we need $16 million more than what we did," he said. The money, called mandatory costs, is money that would have to be raised, Parmley said. VSee SGA, Page 13
Oklahoma college fights gag' on press, speech By Marta McCloskey Staff Writer Students, faculty and others are questioning a recent policy enacted by Redlands Community College (RCC), which prohibits anyone at the college from talking with the media without going through the public information office first. RCC students are transferring to
Editorial 2 Letters 2 World Wrap 6 Around Campus 15 Sports 10-11 Comics 15
UCO because they said their rights have been violated. The policy, established Feb. 9 1995, and reaffirmed in March, states that the director of public information, operating under the direct guidance of the president, is designated as the official contact person for all news and advertisement media. VSee REDLANDS, Page 13
SPORTS
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UCO golfer Dustin York takes medalist honors at the UCO/Kickingbird Classic.
UCO rated lowest in school funding By Iris Knight Staff Writer Recently, the Faculty Senate conducted a study of documents from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and found a severe financial discrimination toward UCO. Where does UCO's money come from and why is it short of funds? President George Nigh said UCO was funded in three ways: from the state, from student tuition and from gifts, such as research grants and President's Partners. In order for money to be appropriated to the universities, it must go through a lengthy governmental process. First, an appropriations bill must pass both the House and the Senate and must finally be signed by the governor. It then goes on to the Regents for distribution. "The legislature appropriates to the Regents and then the Regents divide the money any way they want," said Nigh. In every case in the past, when the Regents divide money among the universities and colleges, UCO received proportionately less than virtually any other institution in higher education, said Nigh. "We want to work on the Board of Oklahoma Regents to be fair to UCO."
REVIEWS The movie Don Juan DeMarco and the new book by Michael Crichton are reviewed.
STATE APPROPRIATIONS per FTE STUDENT 1993-94 Panhandle
$4,133.71
SWOSU
3,420.81
USA()
3,335.08
SEOSU
3,006.72
NWOSU
3,107.86
Cameron
3,098.66
ECU
2,908.71
NSU
2,793.31
Langston
2,595.71 2,308.74
In the Faculty Senate study, UCO was ranked last in Oklahoma state funds paid per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student. The study showed an average appropriation of $2,831.31 per FTE student for Oklahoma senior colleges. UCO received $2,308.74 per FTE. If UCO received at least the average amount, there would be an overall increase of $6,399,085.30 in additional funds. VSee APPROPRIATION, Page 12
WEEKEND
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Check out what's happening around town this weekend with this convenient listing.
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