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July 24, 2008 The Student Voice of the University of Central Ok Lihoma ince I (M3
UCO named one of top five "great colleges to work for"
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UCO is one of the best universities in the nation to work for. At least according to one source. The Chronicle of Higher Education released its survey, "2008 Great Colleges to Work For" this month, and UCO finds itself in eight of the top five categories, making it one of the nation's top five "Great Colleges to Work For." "Results were determined through a direct survey of faculty and staff at universities and colleges throughout the country," UCO's Web site claims.
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Tea House serves as home for int'Is
Krazy Daze sweeps Edmond
It's a tiny little house with a big mural of a tea cup and a saucer that sets behind the UCO Alumni House. Painted on the tea cup is a map of the world, a symbol for the global meeting place that the Tea House has become. This is emphasized by the various languages that "Tea House" is written in around the cup.
By Carrie Cronk Staff Writer
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Dolly's impact felt through Texas Hurricane Dolly churned into a Category 2 storm as its eye neared the Texas-Mexico border Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rains that blew down signs, damaged an apartment complex and knocked out electricity to thousands. l'age 4
Featu reS. Batman for all audiences There's a reason director Christopher Nolan's latest installment in the Batman franchise smashed box office records this weekend. Although there were a few weak spots in the film, it was simply a good action flick. PAGE 7
Big 12 back as powerhouse There was a time when the Big 12 was known for being top-heavy, powerhouses like Oklahoma and Texas playing for national championships and the rest of the conference fighting it out to squeak into some smaller bowl game. PAGE 10
Changes made to financial aid
by Vista photographer Eric Rothwell
Downtown Edmond is one of the participants in Krazy Daze. Krazy Daze is a sale allowing Edmond citizens and visitors to shop stores and receive extra savings. Krazy Daze will be from July 24-26. Sale hours are: Thursday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; July 25, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Several changes to federal financial aid benefiting students went into effect on July 1. The changes are the result of the College Cost Reduction and Accessibility Act of 2007 (HB2669), which was passed by Congress last year. According to the CCRAA, Pell Grant award amounts will increase by more than $11 million over the next five years. Award amounts will increase by $490 for the 2008-2009 and the 20092010 academic years; by $690 for the 2010-2011 and the 2011-2012 academic years; and by $1090 for the 2012-2013 academic year. According to the Information for Financial Aid Professionals Web site, the maximum Pell Grant award amount for the 2008-2009 academic year is set at $4731, an increase of $421 from the 2007-2008 academic year maximum award amount of $4310. "On December 26, 2007, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 ... that establishes the maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the 20082009 award year at $4,241," according to ifap.ed.gov. "However, the College Cost Reduction and Access
Act ... enacted on Sept. 27, 2007, provides for an automatic increase to each Federal Pell Grant award. For the 2008-2009 award year, this increase is $490 for students enrolled fulltime. "The provisions of these two laws result in a 20082009 award year maximum Federal Pell Grant of $4,731 ($4,241 plus $490)." Financial Aid Director Sheila McGill said 3,975 UCO students received Pell Grants and 5,225 students received Stafford loans during the 2007-2008 academic year. According to the CCRAA, interest rates for subsidized Stafford loans for undergraduate students will be reduced over the next four academic years. However, interest rates for unsubsidized Stafford loans will remain at 6.8 percent. The interest rate for loans made between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 will be reduced to 6 percent from 6.8 percent for loans made prior to July 1. The interest rates will be reduced to 5.6 percent for loans made from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010; 4.5 percent for loans made between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011; and 3.4 percent for loans made between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. see CHANGES, page 8
International students see Obama tour positively By Abha Eli Phoboo Staff Writer
Obamamania has gripped the world, and while the presumptive Democratic nominee tours the Middle East and Europe, speculations at home focus on whether the international tour will do him any good. The tour, which is said to be "sortof campaigning" by Obama's team, is an unprecedented event. Presidential candidates of the U.S. or any other nation have never campaigned abroad before. Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Obama's tour and request to speak at the historic Brandenburg Gate "a bit odd." But international students at UCO like what they're seeing from Obama. "Iranians appreciate the fact that Obama is the only candidate that is willing to talk with the Iranian president," said Nima Pakzad, a UCO biology major from Iran. "So, I guess you could say they are cautiously optimistic. "I think he has the potential to raise the world image of the U.S., and if he wanted to, he could repeat what Bill Clinton did in the past with the Middle East, which is ease tensions a little bit." Obama tops Republican candidate John McCain by 9 percent, according to the
This is the last issue of the summer. Next issue: August 21.
AP Photo
U.S. Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama, D-III., pauses in front of a display of rockets that landed in southern Israel, during a visit to Sderot, southern Israel. Quinnipiac poll. And the nation, as well as the world, remains unsure as to what to make of this fresh face that has marched with such audacity. Several international students at UCO believe Obama would offer a fresh approach from the Bush administration. "I think he's going to be very popular during his trip," said Ka trin Green, a German native who is majoring in Spanish. "I'm not sure why, but he's got good international
"'The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing ayart." - Elisabeth. Foley
experience. Germans don't like Republicans since Bush. We are curious to see how a black president will do, also. "Obama brings a lot of diversity and is objective. He is a fresh face. Hillary [Clilnton] was popular too, but Obama has a chance to win." A major stance that has propelled Obama into the limelight has been his consistent opposition of the war in Iraq. However, his plans include not only pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq, but also strengthening forces in Afghanistan and possibly attacking alQaeda bases in Pakistan. Khusro Iqbal, president of the UCO International Student Council, is from Pakistan. "What they are trying to do is take out the root of terrorism, but if Obama were to attack my country's soil, I'd be strictly against it," Iqbal said. "To invade another's country is not right. If the American government worked with the Pakistani government, it would be a better strategy." Iqbal, Green, and Pakzad agree that Obama's trip abroad has taken away most of the attention for McCain. "Obama is preparing himself to be the president of the United States, which is a good thing," said lqbal, "I hope he wins."
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