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The Student Voice Since 1903
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2005
Safety issues trouble campus residents ■ Some students say mold, gas leaks more imminent dangers than bicycle hazards by Latasha Ellis-Cobb Student Writer tinent The Housing Depai office issued a notice last month to Broncho Apartment residents that all abandoned bicycles would be removed, citing a safety hazard. "We have had consistent complaints about the bicycles
and were able to fix that problem immediately," said Myron Pope, assistant vice president of Student Affairs. However, some residents said there are other, more pressing safety issues than the bicycle hazards. "I had a gas leak for two to three weeks when I first moved in," said Roger Wageck, a resident of the apartments. "My front window doesn't even have a lock on it." Another resident, Richard Williamson, said, "If you want something done make sure you call a month in advance."
Resident Elvira Henry mentioned heating and sanitary issues in her unit. "The heating is messed up. I have to turn on my oven to heat the whole house," she said. "I have mold in my bathroom and leaky faucets." Regarding these and other problems with the apartment complex, Pope said that he hates "nickel and dime-ing" repairs and wants to fix the core of the problem. He said, for instance, that instead of painting over rusted stairwells, he would prefer to have them fixed.
Pope said he is speaking with various people about renovations to the apartment complex, a project that is estimated to cost about $1.2 million. Pope attributed some of the problems to lack of maintenance in the past. He said that the Office of Student Affairs will add two additional general maintenance technicians to the staff and assign a maintenance supervisor to each residential center. The Broncho Apartments
see SAFETY, page 3
Photo by Naomi Takebuchi
Stairs at the Broncho Apartments, a campus residence, are covered with rust, and some parts of them are no longer attached.
"Reading is Fun" week continues with book drive
Get the vote out...
by Ty Omopariola Staff Writer The Gamma Omega chapter of Kappa Delta Pi read to children and senior citizens, and sponsored a book donation drive during "Reading is Fun Week" to raise awareness about literacy as a part of their spring project. Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society that promotes excellence and recognizes outstanding contributions to education. The organization announced beginning April 11, anyone could participate in reading throughout this week. Those that participated were required to keep a log of their reading activities. Participants will receive a certificate when
see FUN READING, page 3 CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Photo by Justin Avera
Courtney Campbell and Kayla Kinder, early childhood education freshmen, pass out flyers for UCOSA presidential candidate Michael Goodman April 13 by Broncho Lake. Four presidential and two vice-presidential candidates ran in the April 13 online election. For election results, see the April 19 issue of The Vista.
Professors say focus should shift from Social Security ■
Some experts say the economic worries should be shifted to Medicare by Trisha Evans Staff Writer While the issue of the moment seems to be President Bush's plan for Social Security,
a pair of UCO professors and a guest economist spoke out recently saying the depletion of the Medicare trust fund is a more pressing concern. Nationally known author and economist Dr. Brad Schiller gave a lecture on the topic of Social Security April 4 in Pegasus Theater. He said Bush's proposal was "dead on arrival when it hit Washington." "The push plan has not been
specific as far as the cost and "You don't have to throw out the baby with the how we would bath water." actually go about "Medicare is like Maxwell said implementing there are many the Social the plan," said things that can be Dr. Don Security problem done without disMaxwell, UCO mantling the sysprofessor of eco- on steroids." tem. nomics. - DR. MICKEY HEPNER He said we can "You don't professor of economics raise the retirement have to destroy age, implement the system to fix the problem," Maxwell said. price indexing, raise the cover
and earnings ceiling limit and, like welfare, create a means test for Social Security. Maxwell said that almost all experts agree that we will need to cut benefits and raise taxes. "One of the problems I see with the Bush proposal is that he won't, in any way, shape, or form, consider tax increases," Maxwell said.
see SECURITY, page 3
Popular ad professor to return to active duty ■ David Bennett will leave UCO less than a year after returning from Afghanistan by Joseph Wertz Senior Staff Writer
A UCO advertising instructor, who normally focuses on career building, will shift gears to nation building when he leaves next week for active duty. David Bennett is a colonel in the Civil Affairs branch of the U.S. Army Reserve, and will be redeployed to Afghanistan by early summer. Photo by Justin Avera Bennett says this branch works as a liaison to the occupied country. David Bennett, journalism instructor, will leave UCO April 15 to return to duty for "We assist them as they build a govthe U.S. Army Reserve in Afghanistan.
ernment," Bennett said. "We try to make sure they are creating a good government for their people." Bennett said Civil Affairs is a unique branch of the military because they draw upon normal civilian occupations. "There are bankers, educators, doctors and even veterinarians," Bennett said. "You have to start with fundamentals." He said that ciyil affairs would help Afghanistan with electricity, water and even banking. "Civil affairs brings skills to the table that the army just doesn't teach," Bennett said. Bettnett said that Afghanistan doesn't have a central banking system and that
see BENNETT, page 3
■ Rendezvous, a Japanese dance group, will perform at 8 p.m. April 16 in the Ballroom of the Nigh University Center. ■ The Student Perception of Instructional Effectiveness will be administered through April 29. For information, call the Help Desk at 974-2255. Visit http://broncho.ucok.edu/ique st, or log in to UCONNECT. ■ The Violent Femmes will be in concert with the Starlight Mints at 7 p.m. April 20 at Hamilton Field House. The show is free to UCO faculty, staff and students, and tickets are available in the Department of Campus Life, Rm. 424 of the Nigh University Center, or in the Vista office, Rm. 107 of the Communications Building. ■ Ebony Gospel Choir will hold their annual Gospel Extravaganza at 7 p.m. April 16 at First Christian Church at First and Bouldevard. For information, call 974-6308 or 921-3566. ■ The annual Earth Day fair will be April 20 by Broncho Lake. To register an organization for a fair booth, download the form on the Campus Life tab on UCONNECT.
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