T 3,198811volE . 86, No.
ay
M 53
VISTA
Tuesday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
: Faculty senate mandates scholarship requirements By Keith Purtell
Student Writer Central State University's Faculty Senate Thursday voted unanimously to set uniform standards for scholarship eligibility, elected officers and decided to table until September any discussion of study on instructor evaluation forms. The senate passed proposal 87-12, requesting uniform minimum standards for scholarship recipients. The proposal sets a minimum amount of hours in which a student must be enrolled, amount of college hours completed, a minimum 2.00 grade point average for the semester prior to the semester the scholar-
ship is to be received, and a minimum 2.00 grade point average during the scholarship period. The Faculty Senate also voted on officers for the 1988-89 year. Fred Grosz, associate professor of chemistry, was re-elected president by acclamation, Kenneth Curl, chairperson of the funeral science department, defeated Mary Jane Riley, business law professor, for vice-president by a vote of 17-16. Cindy Coleman, chemistry instructor, was re-elected secretary/treasurer by acclamation, and Robert Hays, assistant professor of journalism, was re-
elected reporter/historian by acclamation. Dr. Janice K. Johnson presented the analysis "Supplementary Study of Bias in Student Evaluation of Instructors," to the Faculty Senate as well, but they decided it was too complex for discussion in the regular meeting. "This thing really deserves a lot of debate. There's an awful lot in it," said Secretary/Treasurer Coleman, "and our colleagues have lots of comments to make about it." The group will take the study up during its first meeting of the fall semester.
Student opinions vary about polygraphs By Julie Gillen
Student Writer An informal survey about jobs that require a lie detector and drug test prior to being granted employment brought varied opinions from students. Some students objected to lie detector tests because of the margin of error prevalent in such testing. Dr. Richard P. Rettig, professor of sociology, said that 82 percent of the lie detector tests are valid. Sixty-four percent uncover prior thefts and 13 percent show that a person may have done something wrong but without specific proof. "They are not perfect instruments, but a good deal of the
time a person who fails ends up admitting past job related thefts or other matters of importance," Rettig said. Most students who said they would submit to the tests also said they were still concerned that their privacy might be invaded. "I had to take a lie dectector test just to get a job sacking groceries," said Sophomore Joe Farris. "I told the truth the first time, but if someone wanted me to take the test again, I'd tell them it was none of their business." Another student, John Wilson, said he also thought it was too personal. "I've taken one, but I wouldn't do it again." But other said they would corn-
10 earn scholarships for leadership skills By Ryan Cocklin
Student Writer Ten Oklahoma high school students were chosen by a Central State University scholarship committee this month to receive President's Campus Leadership scholarships. The scholarship recipients are: Jimmy Stark, Wynnewood; Christopher Wiser, Noble; Shawn Braun, Stilwell; Darrel Ferguson, Del City; Kirk Greenwood, Del City; Stephany Wade, Little Axe; Dana Henry, Sulpher; Brandie Stephens, Quinton; Sharon Kruger, Putnam City; and Kristy Blackwood, Elmore City. According to Susan Thompson, coordinator of CSU high schoolcollege relations, the recipients were chosen because of their involvement in school activities and high school grade point averages. After accepting the CSU scholarship, worth approximately $2,000 each year, the students'are required to live in a residence hall, participate on the High SchoolCollege Relations Board and in the Residence Hall Association. Thompson said they must also enroll in a leadership development class that will apply three credits toward their general education requirements. "The 'Leadership Development' class introduces theories of leadersip and how to develop leadership skills," said Greg Garrett, instructor of humanities. Garrett said that the students are also encouraged to get involved with the Nigh Institute.
ply with perspective employers wo use the tests because of the small number of jobs available in Oklahoma. Steve Rodenberg, a physical education major, said "I have had to take both a drug test and a lie detector test for weight lifting competition. "I'd do it to get a job if I had to," Rodenberg said. "It's hard enough to find a job these days and I've got a family to feed."
Sally Khrais entertains music lovers with "Voi lo sapete from Cavalleria Rusticana" at Mitchell Hall during the CSU Symphony Orchestra's concert one week ago. (Photo by Tom Gilbert)
High•school students urged to prepare
Change aims to raise math skills By Micki Long
Student Writer Now that the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education have increased the mathematics requirements for potential college students, Central State University Registrar Darrell Gilliland said the changes should gradually improve mathematics techniques among college students. Effective the Fall 1988 semester, students must have three years of high school math, Algebra I and above, to be accepted into a four-year university without taking any remedial zerocredit courses. Dr. Darry Carlstone, dean of the College of Mathematics and Science, said "in general, the value of studying math skills has not been seen by Americans." He said that there is a trend away from Americans filling the mathematics professions. Foreigners are filling the math positions. And according to a spokesperson for the CSU Institutional Research Department, 220 students at CSU are majoring in mathematics, only 2.5 percent of all students. However, this number does not include those
students majoring in fields that require a strong math background. Of the students stopped on campus during an informal survey, about half said they like math while the other half said they hate it. The students who like math said they believe they have a strong background in the subject. Those students hating it said they feel they have a weak base in mathematics. "There seems to be a cultural bias against mathematics," Carlstone added. "More discipline is required for math skills, and the schools are not training the students for it." CSU Mathematics and Statistics Chairperson Glenda Owens agreed that students are illprepared for college in the mathematics field. "Math anxiety is a real factor for the ill-prepared students," she said. Owens said she believes the poor mathematics education of students starts at the elementary school level. Elementary education majors require only three hours of math in the general education area, they require no mathematics in the major. Owens said elementary teachers
need more math training so that they can better prepare students in the beginning of their math training. "That should help to create a better base for math learning," she said. But even though college officials are saying that high school graduates are not ready for college mathematics, high school educators said they are preparing the students well enough. Gloria Rehrig, a guidance counselor at Edmond High School, said the minimum requirements for graduation are two years of math. She said about 85 percent of Edmond High School students are planning to attend college. She said all students, whether they plan to attend college or not, are being encouraged to take more math than is required to graduate. Administrator for Guidance and Counseling of the Oklahoma City Public High School System Ken Lease said that a minimum two years of math is required for graduation from Oklahoma City schools, but added that the counselors strongly recommend the students take at least three years.