University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY June 27, 1996
The Student Voice Since 1903
Regents approve $57 million budget By Gayleen Langthorn Staff Writer
KUCO-FM "Z-99" disc jockey Scott Henderson broadcasts alternative music from the studio in the Communications Annex. (Staff Photo by Amir Alavi)
Local station serves as 'alternative' classroom for future broadcasters By Joel Reagan Staff Writer
tudents stuck in their dorm rooms on a hot summer day might want to pour a glass of iced tea, sit back and catch some alternative waves. But don't go far, UCO's alternative rock station, KUCO-FM Z-99 (99.9), can only be heard on campus. The station broadcasts on three transmitters that are the size of stereo receivers. A transmitter is located in each residence hall. These transmitters concentrate the signal on
the campus, beginning on the west edge of campus and abruptly stopping east of the Liberal Arts building. By using recent technology, "Z-99," serves as classroom for future broadcasters and an alternative choice in music for students, said Keith Swezey, oral communications instructor. "This station exists to train students in radio," Swezey said. "It helps a lot," said UCO freshman Scott Henderson. "You can sit here and figure out just exactly what you need to do. Henderson, who also works for KATT-FM, a VSee Z-99, Page 3
The Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges approved UCO's budget of almost $57 million Friday at their monthly meeting. Included in the budget is a 3 percent across the board salary increase for faculty and staff scheduled to be implemented in January. The increases are guaranteed, regardless of student enrollment. Since the raise takes effect in January, for fiscal year 19961997 the actual increase is 1.5 percent, said Dr. Roberta Sloan, president of faculty senate. "I'm certainly pleased that there will be raises for faculty and staff, but what averages out to be 1.5 percent for the year is lower than we had hoped for," Sloan said. Sharon Martin, director of budget, pointed out that the increase is on top of any promotion or longevity increases faculty and staff might receive. "Next year they can expect a 3 percent raise," Martin said. "And it is secured forever as a base raise." President Nigh said the decision was made to implement the raise in January because 40 percent of UCO's funds come from enrollment. "If enrollment drops I have
plenty of time to adjust all the other budget needs to cover the raises and insure they stay at 3 percent for all the years to come," he said. Also included in the budget is a boost to the reserve fund. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recommend universities keep a reserve fund of 8.3 percent of the total budget. For UCO this year that would mean over $4.7 million. But UCO won't set quite that much aside this year, having a reserve budget of $3,477,280 or 6.11 percent. "The choice was do I build up the reserve or give raises," Nigh said. "If I had gone with 8.3 percent, I couldn't have given raises." Additionally, the university will be picking up the cost of a mandatory increase in the retirement plan. "The university could've asked the professors to come up with the (additional) money. This is a significant budgetary choice that the faculty will be very happy about," Sloan said. President Nigh said, "In one sense of the word that's another raise for faculty and staff." "We'll be protecting all our employees' retirement... I think that's much more important than putting that into a salary increase," he said. VSee Budget, Page 4
INSIDE TODAY INDEX Editorial 2 Sports 5 Around Town 7 Classifieds 8
EDITORIAL Is the right to vote appreciated? Find out The Vista's stance on page 2.
6
DUKE OUT Judy Simpson and Jeff Packham fight another skirmish in the battle of the sexes.
AROUND TOWN â– 1 Find out what's happening in the Oklahoma City and Edmond area this weekend.
1