The Student Voice Since 1903 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2004
Campus to close Friday for day of remembrance by Lauren Pulsinelli Senior Staff Writer
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Photo by Robert Crauthers
Flags wave at half staff in remembrance of former president Ronald Reagan, who died June 5 at his home in California. Classes will be cancelled June 11 for the national day of mourning.
Reagan was a sort of hero for Republicans." Scott also added that a UCO will be closed June 11 national day of mourning is "a for a day of mourning in honor good thing when all Presidents of former President Ronald die just to keep things even." Reagan. According to Dr. The announcement to close Christopher Markwood, school is based on Gov. Brad Department Chair for the Henry's decision. Henry College of Art, Media and announced on June 9 that Design, Oklahoma has not had Oklahoma state offices will be a full state funeral since 1973 closed on June 11, in deference when Lyndon to the memory of Johnson died. former President "Nixon's "Reagan was a Ronald Reagan, who funeral was died Saturday at his sort of hero for much more home in Los subdued," Republicans." Angeles. Markwood Dr. Greg Scott, said. Political Science "Every Department Chair - DR. GREG SCOTT President has said the decision to Chair of Political Science had a distincclose school "Is quite tive life to unusual." bring to the Henry's executive Presidency but decision is based on President his experience as an actor, Bush's declaring a national day Governor of a large state and of mourning. The official being the oldest President ever memorial service for former elected." President Reagan will be held at Reagan will be remembered the National Cathedral in for a couple of things mainly Washington, D.C. on Friday, his, "unwavering optimism, his June 11 at 10:30 a.m. contagious optimism that "I would doubt that as much empowered even those who attention would be given to didn't agree with him," said Ford and Nixon who were also Markwood. Republicans," said Scott. Prior to Reagan, Americans "There is more to it than that, suffered through things like the
Twenty-seven trees will be destroyed next month in downtown Edmond, and many people, including a UCO professor, have expressed doubt about the project. Dr. James Bidlack, professor of biology, said he does not see why it is necessary to cut down every tree, including the healthy trees. "This is annoying to a biologist," Bidlack said. "Why not just leave the trees in the first place? If you have a pretty good tree, stick with what you've got or else you have to wait 30 or 40 years to have the same full tree that could have been there to begin with." The city council recently approved the "Edmond Streetscape Project." Up and down Broadway in downtown Edmond, red ribbons are tied to trees in an effort to save them from destruction. Many city officials believe, however, that it is necessary for the trees to be removed. "It boils down to the trees are sick," said Carrie Tomlinson, Edmond urban forester. Tomlinson said the trees suffer from sun scold, in which heat from the city streets creates a scold that splits tree bark in half. She said four of the 27 trees are healthy. "Some of the trees are hazardous and could possibly break and fall on a car," Tomlinson said. "It comes down to safety." She said she supports the streetscape project because she fears a strong wind could snap a rotten tree. Bidlack said it may be necessary for the
unhealthy trees to be cut, but not every tree. "I could see maybe cutting down a few of the trees but not all of them," Bidlack said. "I am frequently in downtown Edmond, and I haven't seen trees so old that I am afraid of them falling." The trees are almost 30 years old, which Tomlinson said is an appropriate life span for the trees. Seven different varieties of native to seminative trees will be planted to replace the "I could see trees that will be destroyed. maybe cutting "This project has down a few of the been years in the planning," said Cathy trees but not all Williams-White, direcof them." tor of Edmond Convention and Visitors Bureau. — DR. JAMES BIDLACK Williams-White UCO professor of biology said the project involves making the city-owned sidewalks safer and more scenic. The streetscape project also includes added enhancements to improve lighting, handicap access and festival support. "We have to do something about it," Tomlinson said. "We are trying to plan out a good solid design." The construction impact will be limited to half a block at a time, and none of the business should be required to close during construction. "Contracting is still set to begin July 5 and expire Nov. 12," said Clay Coldiron, director of Edmond Public Works.
Photo by Robert Crauthers
A red ribbon is tied on a tree in downtown Edmond to protest the "Edmond Streetscape Project."
see REAGAN, page 3
Stafford Loans Variable Interest Rates
Biology professor questions city's plans to destroy trees by Lauren Pulsinelli Senior Staff Writer
Vietnam War and American moral was low. "Reagan helped reshape the American attitude," said Markwood. One of the things Reagan will be remembered fOr is bringing an end to the Cold War, which, "He did not have huge support for," Markwood said. Reagan set out to destroy communism in his words, "It was an evil system." Markwood said, "Reagan set out not just to contain it (cornmunism) but to destroy it." Many Reagan admirers are pushing for Reagan legacy projects such as; Ronald Reagan Day, Ronald Reagan named buildings and highways and a Ronald Reagan portrait for State Capitol buildings. Perhaps the most controversial push to conserve Reagan's memory would be to place his face on the ten-dollar bill. When it comes to the money issue Markwood said, "Congress has to be very selective in the precedents they set." "The same types of things would happen to varying degrees for every President." Reagan was 93 when he died
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Student loan interest rates to hit lowest in three decades by Lauren Pulsinelli Senior Staff Writer Interest rates for student loans will drop to the lowest rate in almost 35 years. On July 1, federally guaranteed student loans will drop to 3.37, down from 3.5 percent last year. "I wasn't surprised by the decrease," said Angela Rice of Student Financial Aid. Student interest rates have been slowly declining over the past years. "It did decrease but not tremendously," said Rice. At UCO during the 2003-04 school year 7,553 students received some type of financial aid not including scholarships, unless a student was eligible for both. That number is up from 7,049 students receiving federal aid the previous year. Rice said, "The number of students borrowing increases every year." "It's pretty easy to receive federal loans," Rice said. Students can file for UCO federal loans as long as students are not on default, meet the cri-
teria of a U.S. citizen and complete a FASFA "One of the challenges our state system institutions face every year is making a college education affordable, and it's not just limited to Oklahoma. In fact, it is a national issue," said Chancellor Paul G. Risser of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Federal student loans interest rates are variable and change every July 1. Rates are calculated according to a statutory formula, which differs depending on the payment status of the borrower. Since students don't have to do anything to benefit from the rate drop, monthly payments will simply decrease automatically. The only students who would not be able to benefit from a record low interest rate are those students who choose to consolidate. Typically, a student would consolidate for fear that interest rates would rise before being able to pay off a student loan. Federal law allows a person to consolidate once, and Congress is considering legisla-
tion that would all together eliminate the option of consolidation at a fixed rate. Government-regulated rates on student loan consolidations are also at historic lows. Currently, Congress is debating key issues on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and there is a house bill is being debated for the government to change the interest rate on student loan consolidations from a fixed rate to a variable rate. All other loans except for consolidation loans are converted to variable rates. Still in effect is the sixmonth grace period students receive after graduation. According to higher education officials, more than half of all students attending Oklahoma's public colleges and universities in 2002-03 received almost $700 million in financial aid. "We're certainly encouraged to see that Oklahoma's college students are seeking and receiving even more financial help to
see RATES, page 3