THE July 2, 1987 Vol. 85, No. 58
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Interim funds approved by regents From staff reports
The State Regents for Higher Education approved interim allotments to the state's higher education institutions last week at their June 24 meeting. The interim allotments will begin with fiscal year starting on July 1. The regents said the interim allotments are equal to the allotments made for the first quarter of 1986-87, and said the allotments will be revised later after the higher education appropriations bill is passed by the
legislature and signed by the Governor. The higher education appropriations bill is under review currently by the General Conference Committee on Appropriations in the legislature, and the regents expect the legislature to take final action on the measure this month. In other business, the regents elected officers for 1987-88. Avalon B. Reece, Muskogee educator, was elected chairman of the Regents, succeeding Bob F.
Allee of Elk City. Reece was the vice chairman of the Regents for 1986-87 and secretary of the board in 1985-86. Oklahoma City attorney J.D. Helms was elected to the post of vice chairman of the regents for 1987-88. Helmes served as secretary of the board in 1986-87, and was appointed to the board in 1981 by former Governor George Nigh. Mrs. Joffa Kerr was elected secretary of the regents, and has served on the board since 1982.
Joe F. Gary, Durant businessman, was elected to the post of assistant secretary of the regents. Gary has served the board since 1971, and has been chairman in 1975-76 and 1983-84. The regents have also taken under study two proposals for tuition increases. The legislature is currently considering a plan estimated at raising $20 million in revenue. The two plans the regents are considering are different than the legislature's plan, but would raise about the same
amount of money. The first plan calls for an across-the-board 28 percent raise in tuitions, while the second calls for increasing lower division class tuitions by 21 percent, upper level classes by one and one half times the lower base, and graduate courses by two times the lower base. Both of the alternative plans would net the state $20 million in revenues.The regents will not take action on fee and tuition increases until later this month.
Funeral service chief leaves for challenge By Danny Collins Student Writer
"When I arrived in 1964, I saw great potential for this institution, and I still see potential for Central State," said John Cage in reflection of his chairmanship at CSU's Department of Funeral Service. Cage's 24 year career at Central State will conclude at the semester's end. Cage has announced he will return to his almamater, Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, after a forty year absence to act as dean of the institution. "Funeral science has a lot of growing to do," Cage said. "It's a pseudo science based on education, and at this moment Ohio is the only state that requires a Bachelor's degree to become a
licensed mortician." "Oklahoma's State Board of Embalming and Funeral Directors are behind the times," he added. Cage stressed the significance of the Ohio law in recognizing morticians as professionals. In time other states like Oklahoma will follow suit and adopt the same laws as well. Still, Central State has one of the most progressive programs in the country, according to Cage. "Our funeral service program is recognized as the number one program throughout the nation," Cage said. "There are only three other colleges that have a Bachelor of science degree in funeral science-the University of Minnesota, Wayne State University in Detroit, and Xavier Universi-
ty in Cincinnati." "Central State was the only college that had the program from 1964-68," he said. "It used to be that to be licensed you completed 60 unspecified college credit hours and a year of professional education." "Central State combined both criteria, and for the first time in the history of funeral science, a controlling board of regents held that classes like Embalming, Restorative Art, Funeral Home Management, and Psychology of Grieving were equivalent to subjects like English, Math, and History," he said. "A student can earn a Certificate of Completion through a two year program," he added. "However more students are opting for the Bachelor's program as it is more readily accepted within the academic circles." Enrollment in the funeral science program at Central State is not comparable to enrollment in other areas, he addd. "People just aren't dying to get into it," he jested. "People associate funeral
science with death, and death scares us," Cage continued. Cage's interest in funeral service developed during an apprenticeship with a local funeral home during his freshman and high school years. He recalls doing
John Cage
everything from transporting the deceased, to embalming cadivers during that time. "The most rewarding part of being a mortician is caring for others at a time when they need it most," he said. "The funeral
ceremony is for the living, and it takes a special person to deal with a family in grief." Some of Cage's fondest memories are centered around funeral service and education, and dealing with those suffering a loss. "Nobody becomes callous to death because everyday you bury your friends." Cage said. "That's alright if they're 20 years older than you, but when you start to bury your poker buddies, your fishing buddies, and those you closely associate with your own age, then you get out of it." With progressive measures such as the Ohio law, the Cincinnati College offers much promise for Cage's career in funeral science. Cage hopes to implement a Master's program at the college, and is looking forward to working for a private school, as well." "I'm going to miss Central State and my friends in Oklahoma, the people here are very nice, but Cincinnati College is going to be a real challenge I'm looking forward to," he concluded.
Staff insurance costs rise
Photo by Jane Vesper
During a test run last weekend, Emergency Medical Technician Terry Hill (Edmond Fire Department) helped rescuers from the Arcadia Lake Park Rangers and Medi-Flight perform simulated CPR on a drowning "victim" at Lake Arcadia. The rangers, fire department and other groups have been holding the practice drills in preparation for the lake's opening later this year.
By Richard Murteza The Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges has approved terms for a renewal of the group health insurance policy with American Fidelity Assurance Company (AFAC). Along with the renewal of the contract, employees can expect an increase in the amounts of deductibles, as well as an increase in cost for taking the policy. A memo from the office of Charles Johnson, associate director of personnel, said that on July 1, the annual deductible will increase from $200 to $250. Effective September 1, a cost containment provision for pre-admission certification with second surgical opinion and concurrent review will be implemented through Health International. The Health International program was implemented by AFAC to combat rising costs in the health insurance field.
Health International basically provides a second opinion for the insured patient. Policy holders benefits can be reduced 50 percent if they fail to notify Health International of a doctor's request for a surgical operation within 48 hours. Health International provides a toll free number 1/800/448/9776. There are four basic steps to the Health International's system listed in the brochure issued with the memorandum; Second Surgical Opinion, Pre/Admission Review, Concurrent Review and Discharge Planning. Employees are encouraged to contact the Payroll office at extension 2570 or the Office of University Personnel Services at ext. 2366 if they have any questions. Six other universities in Oklahoma have also adopted the revised insurance plan. "American Fidelity Assurance Company has provided very good
service to our employees over the years," said Johnson. Johnson further added how switching to a new insurance company would cost more than the present policy. Full time university staff members will notice the change in charges for the insurance beginning with this month's paycheck. The memorandum from the personnel office reflected the cost changes like this; an employee currently pays $60.46. Under the revised policy it will cost $67.72. For one dependent it costs $48.37, but that will change to $54.17. Employees with two or more dependents paid $81.62, but now they can expect to pay $91.41. With a working spouse combination the cost was $21.16, now members will pay $23.69. Employees will also see an increase in their medicare supplements, from $46.51 to $52.09.