SA Senate passes resolutions page 4
THE October 12, 1989 Vol. 88, No. 14
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
College seniors flunk exam By Bill Kramer Staff Writer
The Gallup Organization tested 696 college seniors in April about their knowledge of American and world history and literature-55 percent of them would have flunked, according to a survey
conducted for the National Endownment for the Humanities (NEH). Each senior was asked 87 questions concerning important historic figures, dates and events as well as significant authors and literary works, according to the NEH report. Among the eyebrow-raising statistical findings: 42 percent of
those tested could not place the Civil War in the correct half-century; 24 percent thought • Columbus landed in the Western Hemisphere some time after 1500, according to the NEH report. Only 11 percent of the respondents would have earned an "A" or "B" on the test. The survey shows 39 percent of the college seniors failed the 49-question history sec-
tion and 68 percent of the students things. failed the 38-question literature "I found a report stating that one section. third of high school juniors from Dr. John George, professor of Dallas could not label the country political science, said he is not sur- directly south of the United States. prised by the survey's findings. I also find a real problem many "I find that many very bright students have had with numbers, students are uninformed. There especially millions and billions," seems to be a lack of wanting to George said. learn, and generally I think most Please see SURVEY on page people are busy doing other 8.
Awareness elevated
Lecture, panels talk on substance abuse By Jo Pydynkowsky Student Writer
Red Ribbon Day kicked off a week-long series of activities for Central State University's third annual Alcohol Awareness Week, dedicated by President Bill Lillard. Red ribbons with silver letters
Aiming to please Lori Wilson, biological sciences sophomore, draws a bead center target with her M-16 military issue rifle last Friday at the Edmond Police Firing Range, east of Edmond on Danforth. Wilson, classified MS-1 in the campus ROTC program, was one of about 6 ROTC cadets honing their marksmanship at the range. (Photo by Stan Pollard)
Rural growth group focus Small business center promotes state economy By David Coppock Student Writer
"Guerilla Tactics for Rural Oklahoma" will be sponsored by Central State University's Small Business Development Center at the Canadian Valley Area VoTech in El Reno Friday. The conference is aimed at the economic development problems in central Oklahoma's rural communities. The idea for the confer-
ence originated with Sue Urbach, director of CSU's Small Business Development Center. "We hear frustration from community people that so many conferences are up there in the air somewhere. "We hope to leave them with some concrete things they can take with them." Three out-of-state firms who have located in central Oklahoma will attend the conference: Professional Practice Control, Air Management Industries, and Armadillo Seed.
Each company will tell why they located in Oklahoma, what led to each firm's final decision to locate in the state, and what advice would they give someone recuriting a business firm for central Oklahoma. Urbach said rural retailers have come to her complaining that when a firm like Wal-Mart opens in their town, they can't compete. The real problem is that they have not been competing with anyone Please see TACTICS on page 8.
spelling "Alcohol Awareness Week-Be Aware," were distributed Monday, and worn by students, faculty, and administrators to show concern for the responsibilities and problems related to alcohol use and abuse. Tuesday's activities included a series of lectures, a film and a panel discussion in the Liberal Arts Building auditorium. Please see WEEK on page 8.
Great Plains' myths, lore shared by Estes By James Jackson Student Writer
About 60 people attended the second lecture in the centennial lecture series sponsored by the College of Mathematics and Science. The lecture, "Images and Myths of the Great Plains," was presented Thursday, said Dr. Larry Westmoreland, assistant dean. Dr. James Estes, curator of the Bebb Herbarium, discussed many different ideas about the Great Plains, including common misconceptions, in his speech. Accompanying his talk with slides, Estes spoke about the natural forces that shaped the geographical features of the Great Plains. Examples that Estes gave were flooding of rivers, range fires
ignited by lightning, and tornados. Estes said early explorers thought the Great Plains were extremely barren. Habitation of the plains, before the horse was introduced from Spain, was nearly impossible. Native Americans lived on the Great Plains long before the horse was introduced, hunting bison by stealth instead of using the speed of horses, Estes said. Many myths exist on how the Great Plains can be best preserved. Range fires and limited grazing by cattle can be helpful, contrary to popular belief, Estes said. The next lecture in the centennial series will be "A Century of Health Care in Oklahoma" by Ms. Juanita Milsap, dean emeritus of the Oklahoma Baptist University College of Nursing, on Nov. 9.