The Vista June 19, 1997

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University of Central Oklahoma

A.Weir,•27f) ,

THURSDAY June 19, 1997

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The Student Voice Since 1903

Outreach ousted: Future unclear for Continuing Education By Kendra Sauer and Lisa Tatum Staff Writers

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Kung Fu fighting... Students of the Po Chi Lam Shaolin Kung Fu school in Edmond Travis Mosier (left) and Chris Gaylor, demonstrate their technique at the International Students Council dinner banquet honoring President George Nigh. (Staff photo by John Clanton)

Intersession classes offer students flexibility, variety By Lisa Tatum Managing Editor If enrollment figures are any indication, continuing education intersession courses have become an increasingly popular way for UCO students to get college credits. In the past six years, enrollment in the intersession courses offered each January, May and August has grown from 272 students to more than 2800. Course offerings have increased from

22 sections in 1992 to 163 sections offered in 1997. Intersession courses are designed to serve students who cannot be served by existing courses or programs during the regular semester format. They offer students the opportunity to take unusual courses such as Feng Shui for INDES, a Chinese art and philosophy, as well as basic courses like Interior Design. Some courses are designed to relate to special issues. The Jury: Order or Disorder in the V See INTERSESSION, Page 3

he fate of UCO's Continuing Education program is up in the air and where it lands depends largely on decisions made by incoming president Roger Webb. The credit and non-credit continuing education courses, which include intersession courses, distance TV courses and professional development courses, have previously been managed and coordinated through the UCO Office of Outreach. However, in a May 10 proposal to the UCO Budget Review Committee, Outreach Director Carl Reherman announced his retirement and recommended abolishment of the Office of Outreach. The proposal, accepted by President George Nigh, eliminated Continuing Education, Globalization and Outreach Public Service offices and recommended a separate budget and the transfer of four Outreach employees to The Nigh Institute for State Government. The Nigh Institute, which contracts with outside agencies to provide training courses for their personnel, has since been renamed the Division of Special Services. With the elimination of the Office of Outreach, seven job positions were abolished including that of Dr. Linda Norton, director of continuing education. While Reherman's proposal included transferring Continuing Education's program coordinator and special projects director to the Division of Special Services, no recommendations were made for the Continuing Education director's position. Nigh said the main reason he concurs with the elimination of Continuing Education is that "there is no longer a need" for the program. He added that all decisions are subject to change when Webb takes office July 1. Webb said while he felt it inappropriate to comment on Nigh's decisions, he has strongly supported continuing education in the past. More than 800 students are already in enrolled in August intersession courses and more than 300 are enrolled in other Continuing Education courses for fall. Nigh said the office of academic affairs will oversee continuing . education for the remainder of this semester. Dr. Clyde Jacob, vice president of academic affairs, said a spring class schedule for Continuing Education is still being planned, although he anticipates a reduction in class offerings.

INSIDE TODAY INDEX Editorial 2 Sports 5 Around Campus 8 Campus Crime 8 Classifieds 8

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COLUMN Columnist questions the validity of sexual harassment accusations.

CHAUTAUQUA Annual Chautauqua draws audiences to fourday event.

AROUND TOWN Check out what's happening around town this weekend.


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