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THE July 19, 1990 Vol. 88, No. 61
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Reprimand from housing staff may be unlawful
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By Erin Mitchell
Staff Writer
A written reprimand from Central State University housing administration to an employee concerning discussion of policy changes outside administrative channels may be against state law, said press attorney David McCullough. According to state law 841.7, no supervisor or appointing authority of any state agency shall prohibit employees of such agency from discussing the opera-
Sidewalk Stroll! Allen Mihecoby and Kathy Cooper take advantage of the below normal temperatures during their stroll near the Morrisett Centennial Fountain west of Old North. The fountain and surrounding park construction is expected to be completed about 90 days. (Photo by Ken Freeman)
Grad says records refused Officials claim student misconduct involved By Keith Purtell
Staff Writer
A May 1990 Central State University graduate has alleged campus administration withheld her transcript and diploma for two weeks without legal foundation. Ann Hamilton, an oral communications graduate, said she went to pick up her transcript June 26 and was told there was a hold on her records. "On June 28 I called and requested a written explanation from Dr. Dudley Ryan (vice president for Student Services)," Hamilton said. "He was out of the office so I left my name, phone number and address with the secretary. He sent me a letter the next day." Ryan's letter, dated June 29, states that Ryan had become involved in an investigation of "alleged misuse of student confidential data" which was incomplete
until Hamilton could come to Ryan's office and speak with him about the matter. "When I begin any investigation, the first thing I do is place a `Deans Hold' on records," Ryan wrote. Hamilton said she declined to go to Ryan's office, and that her understanding of university policy was that records could not be withheld unless a fine or fee was unpaid. "On July 2, I called and asked for the exact rule they were using to hold my records," Hamilton said. "Ryan's secretary said she would leave the message with him. They never called me back with an answer. "If Ryan thinks I did something he needs to bring formal charges," Hamilton said. "The Dean's office is not the forum for it. All they did was allege I did something and then throw a hold on my records." Hamilton said she was unable to
enroll in graduate school or complete applications for financial aid because she had no diploma or transcript, so she sought advice from Legal Aid of Oklahoma, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Scott Fern, legal counsel for the state regents. "None were able to help within the time frame necessary," Hamilton said, "and Scott Fern said he had a conflict of interest. So I was forced to hire an attorney." "My attorney contacted the administration's attorney, who requested I sign a release guaranteeing administration would not be sued for damages. Of course we refused. "I was denied due process," Hamilton said. "And that's what I find highly frustrating. And scary, frankly, to know they can do this. What's going to happen when this Please see RECORDS on page 8.
tions of the agency, either specifically or generally, with others. Carroll Van Duyn, manager of resident housing, reprimanded Scott Lumry, East Hall head resident, for 'airing grievances regarding staff policy changes outside the grievance procedure,' Lumry said. The reprimand referred to a Please see LEGAL on page 8.
SA senators debate selection procedures
The issue concerning student tors) or we can hold an election," senators who were sworn into of- said Peter Regan, Student Associfice without being elected last ation president. "We could call another election spring was the topic of discussion at the last summer session meeting and allow the students to elect Monday. "According to the constitution I Please see SENATE on page can either appoint them (the sena8.
Bilingual ed for teachers scorned by campus profs By Kamal Mazlan
Staff Writer
Professors in the College of Education at Central State University do not support U.S. Education Secretary Lauro F. Cavazos's suggestion that prospective teachers should be bilingual because of the growing ethnic diversity of American students. "We certainly want to encourage students to be culturally diverse, but I'm not sure we are ready to require a foreign language of all teacher candidates," said Dr. J.W. Weatherford, professional teacher education chairperson.
"Also, if a person is going to live in the U.S., they should learn the English language. We can't require our teachers to communicate in Spanish, French and German. If we require teachers to speak five languages, we have to pay them more than the $17,000 starting salary," Weatherford said. According to Cavazos, teachers have had to adjust to the increased linguistic and cultural diversity of the students. Only 10 percent of all college graduates can speak a second language, said Cavazos when he addressed the American Federation of Teachers' annual convention early July in Boston.
Please see BILINGUAL on page 8.