University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY April 8, 1993
The Student Voice Since 1903
Personnel cuts not seen
Regents say UCO is the only institution that would see no personnel reductions Health care plan may require card WASHINGTON (AP) — President Clinton's health-reform plan is likely to require every American to cany a health identification card bearing his or her Social Security number, congressional aides say. Social Security numbers could be used for computerized tracking of medical or insurance records, cutting the health industry's $35 billion annual paperwork bill, aides said. But some worry that using Social Security numbers on medical ID cards could jeopardize the confidentiality of a patient's medical history.
22 million freed for state programs TULSA, Okla. (AP) — State budget-makers got more unexpected good news when the state Tax Commission announced it will free $22 million it had been holding for pending claims. The fund covers the state for legal claims and tax refunds, commission spokeswoman Paula Ross said Monday. Commission attorneys determined the fund had grown much larger than it needed to be, Ms. Ross said. The money could go out by April 12, the Tulsa World's Capitol bureau reported. The state teachers retirement fund will get $10 million of the money. Counties will get $1.5 million for schools and $1.5 million for highways, and the rest will go to the state's general fund.
By Roy Howe Staff Writer After listening to more than two hours of testimony from students, citizens and representatives from the state's colleges and universities, March 24 the State Regents for Higher Education urged institutions to consider invoking financial emergency procedures. These recommendations, on the eve of possible reductions in state appropriations, would ready the institution's governing boards to make necessary personnel reductions for this summer and the coming academic year should the proposed nine percent reductions occur. According to data provided by the state regents, without tuition increases, these cuts would result in the statewide loss of 1,860 jobs at higher education teaching facilities. At Oklahoma institutions for higher learning, personnel costs account for approximately 80 percent of their expenditures. "Because personnel costs make up the largest portion of college and university expenditures, we anticipate that personnel will be the hardest hit," said Donald B. Halverstadt, state regents chairman. The reduction to the University of Central Oklahoma's budget would total $2.9 mil-
lion. Information provided by the state regents shows that of the 26 institutions of higher learning in the state, UCO is the only site that would see no personnel reductions as a result of the budget shortfall. Earlier this year Gov. David Walters called for a nine percent reduction in funding for all state agencies. State appropriations are usually hammered out just before the legislature adjourns in May. With a nine percent reduction in state funding for higher education, state appropriations to higher education for fiscal year 1994 would total $524 million. This is a $51 million shortfall compared to last year's appropriations. Testimony at the state regents' hearings concerning the reductions was given by 24 people. All expressed discontent with the proposed cuts. Most of the educational institutions in the state were represented at the hearing. Bart Binning, UCO instructor and president of the higher education faculty association, expressed his concern to the state regents about higher education's already low funding and what a further reducticn would mean. "In order to meet the efficient needs of higher education," Binning said, "you have to have funds. You have to have funds to buy computers, you have to have funds to
Carnival to hit
campus today By Carol Cole Student Writer
Federal health plans may cover abortions WASHINGTON (AP) — The Clinton administration wants federal employee health insurance plans to cover abortions, according to a published report. The proposal will be included in President Clinton's budget to be released later this week. Quoting an unidentified spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget, the newspaper said the budget will call for deletion of the provision and thereby clear the way for the health plans to cover abortion for federal employees and their dependents. See World Wrap, page 10
buy the compact discs and you have to have funds to computerize the library. And to be quite frank, those funds have not been available," he said. "With the projected budget decreases," Binning added, "those funds won' tbe available any time in the foreseeable future and that concerns me." Binning also expressed his concern to the regents that the reduction in allocations would be done without faculty involvement and would not be executed in an equal manner throughout the state system. "If we're going to be reducing funds, everyone needs to be speaking from the same book," he said. Across the state, the elimination of 2,000 classes, a large reduction in fee waiver scholarships and the reduction of summer school budgets could also result from the reduction of state funds. Halverstadt said that the regents' recent proposal to hike class costs is not a reaction to the proposed loss in-state monies to higher education. "A ten percent increase in tuition is in no way to offset the nine percent reduction in state funds," he said. "These are two different dogs and in no way offset each other."
UCO students Heather Gee ryand Joe Hooten perform at the 50th anniversary of the stage play Oklahoma! March 30 at the Myriad. (Photo by Mike Simons)
The University of Central Oklahoma Student Programming Board (SPB) will host "Jamaican Me Crazy". The carnival and free reggae show by Jamaican artist, John Bailey will take place today at Thatcher Lake. The carnival will last from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the free concert will follow. UCO President George Nigh will be the celebrity participant of the "Pineapple Pie at Nigh" pie toss sponsored by the SPB. Other notable targets include dean of student services, Dr. Dudley Ryan and the UCO police. The booth will benefit the College of Education's special education fund. Carnival activities raising funds for worthy causes will include a volleyball tournament hosted by the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic. The UCO Soccer Club will sponsor a "shootout," where the object is to throw the ball past the goalie into the net. A tug-of-war, to be held in an as-of-yet undisclosed substance, will be held by Murdaugh Hall residents. The University Center Activities Board (UCAB) will host a dart-throwing booth with prizes. Student government will sponsor a HulaHoop pass, and Thatcher Hall residents will have a Hula-Hoop contest, complete with grass skirts. Kappa Sigmas will host a dunk booth, Tau Kappa Epsilon will have a basketball throw and the Sigma Kappas will encourage everyone to get down with a limbo contest.