THE July 21, 1988 Vol. 86, No. 61
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Regents approve plan for 45% tuition hike By Valli Covert
Student Writer The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education unanimously approved a rate increase Monday for fall semester that will increase tuition by almost 45 percent for students at Central State University. The regents approved a fouryear-plan that will increase tuition at CSU by almost 190 percent for lower level courses over the next four years. For upper level courses, tuition will go up by almost 152 percent during the same time. In-state students at CSU will pay $9.15 more per credit hour for lower division classes, $6.95 more per credit hour for upper level classes, and $8.90 per credit hour for graduate level courses. Out-of-state students attending CSU will pay $23.50 more per credit hour for lower level classes, and $20.50 per credit hour for upper division courses. According to the proposed fiscal year 1988 tuition rates, 30 credit hours at CSU will cost $274 more than in 1987 for in-state students taking lower division courses. Upper division courses will cost $208 more, and graduate level courses will cost $213 more. Ruth Ann Dryer, administrative assistant to the chancellor, said this is the largest tuition hike in Oklahoma history. Nearly 14,000 students at CSU will be affected by the tuition increase. The Student Advisory Board to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education told the regents they were concerned that the average of a 25 percent increase in tuition was untimely and that it
does not allow students time to find more money for the fall semester. Advisory board spokesperson Robert Gregory said the board supports the increase in tuition, but additional student input needs to be sought in the future at a more convenient time other than the summer months. Gregory and others asked the regents to postpone any tuition hike until the spring semester to give students time to adjust their budgets. "It is too late to expect students to make changes," he said. The advisory board also expressed concern that there would be no increase in financial aid to help offset tuition increases and that the lack of financial aid coupled with the new hike may hurt some students who are expecting to graduate soon. "I think most people are not aware of the increase. It is too much too fast," Gregory said. Chancellor Hans Brisch
disagreed with Gregory and said there were students lobbying at the Capitol during the legislative session, and the tuition bill was one of the hottest debated topics. Brisch said he would like to see Oklahoma known for excellance in education and with the tuition increase and the $29.5 million appropriated to the regents by the state legislature, it should raise the level of education in Oklahoma. Regent member George Kaiser said the regents are going to adopt a four-year-plan and under that plan bring Oklahoma institutions up to what our 'peer group' universities charge. The peer group colleges include those schools in the Big Ten, Big Eight and Texas, he said. "Quality increases as cost increases," Kaiser said. Regent Bert Mackie said Oklahoma needs to work on financial aid, and if faculty quality does not go up, he will not vote for more rate increases. Regents chairman J.D. Helms
said the scholarships the regents award to needy students should be increased from 50 percent to 75 percent of that fund, and merit scholarships need to come from the private sector, he said.
Student activity fees will probably go up also, regent George Barnes said. Those fees will be discussed at the regents meeting July 27 at the State Capitol Complex.
Owens named dean By Garnetta Burris
Student Writer Dr. G. Kay Owens, professor and department chairman of mathematics and statistics, has been appointed Dean of the Central State University College of Mathematics and Science by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Owens will be the first woman dean to serve at Central State University. She has been a professor at Central State University for 22 years. The recommendation was approved July 15 and will become effective August 1, 1988.
Owens received her bachelor's degree from Southeastern Oklahoma University, her master's degree from Oklahoma State University, her Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, and her post doctoral study from Oklahoma State University. "I am very pleased and honored to be selected for the position," said Owens. Her first objective will be unification of the college. "I also hope to stand together as a college and remain individuals within the college," said Owens. Dr. Darry Carlston, acting dean of the college, will resume his position as professor of physics.
Jenny Rucker guest-conducts a song at the Watermelon Concert on Thursday at Thatcher Lake. (Photo by Steven Akins)
Heroism citations given to 3 CSU students By Valli Covert
Brad Barnett (left), Clay Southard, and Steve Thomas (right), display the citations given to them by Chief Bill Vetter on behalf of the Edmond Police Department for their brave assistance in capturing gunman Gary B. Foster, who attempted to shoot Virginia Peters last fall. (Photo by Trent Tompkins)
Student Writer Three Central State University students were awarded citations for heroism July 12 from the Edmond Police Department for their part in capturing Gary B. Foster who attempted to shoot health and physical education professor Dr. Virginia Peters last fall, Edmond Police Department spokesperson Jan Montgomery said. Brad Barnett, Clay Southard and Steve Thomas chased and detained Foster after he attempted to shoot Peters. Foster, a 41-yearold former CSU student, is now serving 10 years in the state penitentiary in McAlester, Okla. after pleading guilty to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Foster attempted to shoot Peters, apparently mistaking her
for a different person. The gun misfired, Foster jumped out a window, and the three men gave chase. "Citizens really have to put themselves out to do what these kids did," Edmond Police Department spokesperson Jan Montgomery said. "It is not ordinarily what citizens would do. It is very heroic what they did." Southard said he was in the right place at the right time and is ready to put it all behind him and get on with his life. "It was a nice gesture. I feel this is Dr. Peters way of thanking us. I think it puts her at ease knowing that guy is behind bars," he said. "I felt like there would never be an adequate way I could thank them, so I called the Edmond Police 'Department and asked them if there was an award for citizens," Peters said.