Weeds dominate grasses..p.5
26,T 1986 June
Fieldhouse activities..p.7
VISTA
HE Vol. 84, No. 57
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Controversy exists over Perry's resignation
Vista photo by Chris White
Ground leveling has begun, for the future Simmons Park, located at the corner of Second St. and University Dr. Although the project was delayed because of rain, completion date is set for the beginning of the fall semester. In the distance, remodeling has begun on a yellow mansion which has seen better days. Almost every window is missing from the sills.
By Susan Green Regents accepted the resignation of Dr. James E. Perry, vice president for academic affairs, effective Sept. 30 instead of Perry's proposed resignation for May 1987, at their regular meeting Friday. Perry has retained an attorney and may challenge the terms of his resignation, a regent's spokesman said. According to an article in the Daily Oklahoman, Perry asked that he be allowed to step down from his post a year from now and then become a tenured business professor at CSU for the 1987-1988 academic year. However, in an interview with the Vistaearlier, Perry said he had announced his resignation because the time had come for him to devote his time to another area. He also said the time has come for him to move on and that he was excited and ready to go. Perry also said he "had no specific plans at the present, but is going to explore a myriad of options." He also said "the academic field would have to offer a different style of opportunities before he became involved again." At the meeting, CSU President Dr. Bill Lillard submitted a recommendation to the Regents, which extended Perry's contract only through Sept. 30. Lillard gave two reasons, saying that when Perry submitted his resignation June 3, he requested it be effective the 1986-1987 year. The second reason Lillard said is that Perry requested a professor job for the 1987-1988 year, but CSU can't give a two-year contract, Lillard said. Only one year contracts are submitted at the university. "I thought it was unusual to announce a resignation before signing a contract. I couldn't grant what he wanted," Lillard said. The president said Perry's vacancy will be looked at closely in terms of the financial situation of the university. He said there will probably be an active and interim position filled because there won't be the enough time for a full search before the next school year begins. "He has requested to leave and I wish him the best," Lillard said. Perry was unavailable for comment.
Norman, Stillwater centers approved
Language center disapproved by Regents By Kim Voynar Associate Editor International students attending Twashakarris, Inc., the English Language Center in Edmond, no longer qualify for conditional admission to CSU or any other college or university in the state system. The center, owned by Dr. James E. Stewart, Assistant Professor of English, did not receive the approval of the State Regents for Higher Education. An evaluation team sent to the center Feb. 20, submitted a recommendation to the Regents that the center not be approved. The team withheld approval because the center had not addressed several major concerns listed from the 1985 visit. In addition, several additional areas of concern were raised at the 1986 visit. According to the report submitted by the evaluation team, the following were listed as concerns from the 1985 visit which have not
yet been addressed: 1. A better balance between teaching English for future learning purposes at the university level and teaching English in order to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFFL). 2. Learning materials which are written specifically for English as a second language rather than for students whose native language is English. 3. An update of the recruitment brochures to include accurate information about the center and to eliminate pictures which are inappropriate. Also, the elimination of the statement "ELC is also certified by the Board of Higher Regents for Oklahoma Colleges and Universities." 4. A formal agreement with Central State University as to the benefits which ELC students may enjoy on campus. 5. A written statement as to the status of the ELC with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
6. An increase in student enrollment. In addition, several areas of concern were listed from the 1986 visit: 7. The statement of purpose states, "The primary purpose of English Language Center is to prepare international students to meet the requirements of American colleges and universities." ELC interprets this to mean only that students will achieve the minimum necessary score on the TOEFFL. The survey team believes "English requirements" include the necessary training in notetaking, research skills and academic writing which will provide a student with the possibility of success. 8. Materials chosen are suitable for survival level courses in ELC. They do not provide the content, skills or interest level for academically-bound students. 9. No member of the faculty has sufficient training in ELC,
linguistics or rhetoric and composition. Faculty are primarily literature majors. The report commended the areas of strength of the center. Areas of strength listed were: 1. The good job being done by the faculty with the limited number of students and resources. 2. The willingness of the director to assist in securing housing for students. 3. The attempt to expand enrollment. Stewart became director of the center in August of 1980. He received control of 49 percent of the stock by notarized statement and control of the remaining 51 percent by proxy in December of 1981. The faculty of the center includes three full-time teachers including the principal, Javad Dadgostari. Each student attending the center pays $500 for the first term, and $400 for each subsequent term. According to the report, since
1983 there has been a dispute between the center and the Immigration and Naturalization Service over the issuance of a file number for the center. On October 19, 1984, the center filed suit against the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the United States of America and certain officers of the service for $40 million. International students wishing to attend a state college or university must receive a score of 500 or higher on the TOEFFL. However, if a student has cornpleted a minimum of 12 weeks of study at an approved English Language school, he can be admitted conditionally for one semester if he receives a score of at least 460 on the TOEFFL. Similar English Language schools in Norman and Stillwater received the approval of the evaluation team. Stewart was unavailable for comment.