University of Central Oklahoma
THEVISTA The Student Voice Since 1903
Trend in rising GPAs attributed to various circumstances
TUESDAY April 8, 1997
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By Rhonda Bowden Staff Writer
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CO students are getting smarter, or at least that's what their grade point averages (GPA) show. Over the past 10 years the average GPA for undergraduates at UCO has risen steadily from 2.66 in 1986 to 2.83 in 1996, a rate that, if it continues, will mean an average GPA of 3.0 in the next decade. This trend of steadily rising grades is known as "grade inflation" and the implications are not only that the comparative value of student performance is lost, but also the significance of academic honors is lowered, according to reports in the April, 1997 issue of Quality in Higher Education. "'Grade inflation' is a reality—and it's something, quite frankly, I've been concerned about on this campus," said Dr. Clyde Jacob, vice president of academic affairs. However, isolating the reasons for UCO's grade inflation is like "trying to make sculpture out of warm jello," said Jacob. "It is a genuine issue—the problem is, it is so intangible." Jacob speculates that a combination of many things on campus have contributed to the trend. "I'd like to think we're getting a higher Jacob caliber of student" because of the recent policy changes in Oklahoma, like higher standards for high school graduation. Evelyn Wilson, dean of enrollment services, said test scores in Oklahoma have been up for the past few years, and students entering UCO have higher scores as well. "The pattern is there—it's steadily increasing," said Wilson. Chairperson of the History and Geography department, Dr. James Baker, said despite the test scores he didn't think the better grades are because of better students. "I don't see a better student overall, especially at the freshmen level," said Baker. Jacob also credits the increasing availability of information technology and the access to learning V See GPA, Page 3
Student Health Center director, LaBetta Wallenmeyer, conducts a skin test to check for tuberculosis antibodies. A student was diagnosed with TB Wednesday and classmates were asked to get tested for possible exposure. (Staff photo by John Clanton)
UCO student diagnosed with tuberculosis; exposed classmates require tests
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lassmates of a UCO student who has active tuberculosis (TB) were informed of their possible exposure Wednesday and referred to the Student Health Center for testing. Health Center director LaBetta Wallenmeyer said the sick student's diagnosis was confirmed Monday after a routine skin test revealed the presence of TB antibodies. Students enrolled in nursing, guidance and international students are routinely tested, she said.
If a skin test is positive, a chest X-ray that might yield more information is done. But the definitive test is a microscopic examination of mucus from the lungs (sputum culture). If the sputum culture shows TB, the patient is treated with antibiotics, said Wallenmeyer. After two to three weeks of antibiotics, the patient is usually well, she said. Wallenmeyer said the student who has TB has been absent from class since the last week of VSee TB, Page 3