University of Central Oklahoma
TUESDAY August 27, 1996
The Student Voice Since 1903
Caucus to advocate women's issues By Cynthia Chung
Staff Writer
W
omen's advancement at the administrative level is an issue that will be brought to the forefront this fall with the creation of the UCO women's caucus. Dr. Roberta Sloan, faculty senate president and chair of the caucus, touts the new organization as "an advocate for and a source of information regarding women's issues on the campus." The lack of women at the upper management levels has to be recognized as a problem, Sloan said. Sloan, in her ninth year as a professor of oral communication, said she was spurred to action by a growing sense of frustration with the "lack of
understanding on the part of some men in power." "We need a difference in gender for different points of view," Sloan said. Women are essential at the upper echelons of education because they represent what half the population thinks, Sloan said. To date, only one woman—G. Kay Powers, dean of Math and Science, has penetrated the male monopoly in the administrative domain. No vice presidents or are women. Dr. John George, professor of political science and one of two male sponsors of the caucus, agrees that women are underrepresented at highlevel positions. The purpose of the caucus, George said, is to "focus the attention of women and fair-minded men on YSee WOMEN'S CAUCUS, Page 3
Spray 'em on.... taboria Zapata waters freshly laid sod behind Murdaugh Hall. Easton Sod Farms of Bixby is the company laying down the sod. (Staff photo by Laurette Graham)
Minimum wage workers to receive pay increase By Judy Simpson
Staff Writer
T
hanks to the passage of the minimum wage•bill, student workers will receive a little more in their paychecks starting Oct. 1. Aug. 21, President Clinton signed into law an increase in minimum wage from $4.25 an hour to $4.75. A second increase to $5.15 an hour, will take effect Sept. 1, 1997. Workers who earn part of their income through tips will still receive $2.13 an
hour unless gratuities don't match the new minimum wage. The law also allows for a "training wage" of $4.25 an hour for employees under the age of 20 for the first 90 days on the job. The new minimum wage will effect slightly more than 600 student employees on campus. "We have already placed sufficient funds in the budget to cover the minimum wage raise," said Sharon Martin, director of budgeting. The measure initially didn't receive the support of the Republican-dominated
congress sighting negative effects to small business. Pressure from moderate GOP forced the conservative Republicans to allow a vote. The bill passed with $22 billion in tax breaks mostly for small business. One of the provisions in the bill reinstates the $5,250 tax deduction for employers providing tuition for their employees retroactive June 1996 for graduate-level tuition and starting May 1997 for undergraduate level. UCO economist Dr. Michael Metzer, said the effects on small business, if any,
from the wage hike would be minimal considering the small portion of the work force that earns minimum wage. Metzer thinks the reason Republicans fought the issue was philosophical, "It does impose higher costs for some businesses and Republicans have clientele in the business sector." Vivek Satyanarayan, a senior MIS major, is one UCO student worker who is happy to get a raise in his pay, "I sure can use it, I think it's a good deal," said Satyanarayan.
INSIDE TODAY INDEX Editorial
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Campus Quotes 2 Sports 6,7 Around Campus ... 11 Classifieds 12
SPORTS Senior volleyball player Stacey Schwartz enters the season healthy and ready for a challenge.
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HOMECOMING Bronchos with an H. UCO's Homecoming parade coming soon, read more about it on Page 8.
INSURANCE
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fro 'Unpt agreement' requires international students to have health insurance.
TIANK GIP! I'VE GOT
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