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THE October 27, 1983 Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma Vol. 82, No. 16
Area 'vital' to U.S.
Bellmon supports invasion
By Mike Sherman Editor
University to 'shop' for new phone system By Traci Baucom CSU will get a new phone
system as the Board Regents of Oklahoma Colleges agreed to allow the university to "shop around" for a new telephone system to replace the present manual system which was designed in the 1920s. The present telephone system, described as a "basic Lily Tomlintype" by one regent, was considered "state of the art" when it was installed in 1948. It features
Lay-offs possible By Traci Baucom
The introduction of a new phone system would decrease the need for operators, according to Larry Williams, assistant vice president for administration. "It's highly probable that we'll have a need for fewer operators, but we don't intend to fire anybody," Williams stated. "We would reallocate our resources, retrain employees for other positions if need be. We're still in the planning stages at this point. "We don't anticipate any loss of jobs," said Merrilea Smith, CSU operator since 1963. "We have lots of faith in Central State. We're like one big family here. One telephone system shown in Williams' report to the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges features a single person at a desk with a small telephone console, a typewriter and other clerical equipment. The present telephone system has three consoles. Four full-time operators and four students alternate shifts at the consoles from 7 a.m. to midnight.
plugs that must be manually inserted into a hole in the console to make a connection. Some of the holes the plugs fill are worn out, according to Larry Williams, assistant vice president for administration. "What we're looking for is a system that will give us a better quality of voice communication and is more dependable at a reduction in cost," Williams said. One of the main concerns regarding the present system, Williams explained, is escalating costs. Costs have risen 40 percent in the last five years, making CSU's monthly phone bill about $13,000. Another problem is repairs, Williams said. According to one AT&T source, parts and repairman trained to maintain our system could become difficult to find in the future. Williams explained that he has been researching several available systems, all electronic, to either buy or lease. Some advantages of a new telephone system listed in William's presentation to the board are: — System Forwarding —After a certain number of rings to a telephone with no response, the system will send the call to a designated position so the call will not be missed. — Toll Restriction —Will not allow unauthorized calls to be made by students or faculty. — Expanded Traffic —Will help the university monitor the correct use of the new system. Allows the administration to have better control of trunkage. — On-Hook Queing —Allows the user to get in line for an outside line when they are all in use.
Although he has reservations about the Reagan administration's policy toward Lebanon, former U.S. Senator Henry Bellmon said he supports the president's decision to send American troops to Grenada, a tiny Carribean island. Bellmon, who teaches a course on Congress at CSU, said he welcomed the confrontation with Cuban troops on the island. "We have appeared to be a helpless •giant for too long," Bellmon said. "We have seen the Cubans appear to succeed in places like Angola. They merely serve as a surrogate of the Soviet Union." President Reagan said he order the Marine invasion of the tiny Carribean island Tuesday to protect 1,000 American there and to restore democracy to the nation. A group of what Reagan called "leftist thugs" took over the nation in a bloody coup last week. Close to 2,000 Marines and Army paratroopers took part in the invasion and were accompanied in the invasion by 300 troops from six other Carribean nations. The island had been secured by Wednesday evening, according to the Pentagon. Only a "fistful" of Cuban fighters remained and 600 Cubans had been captured. Reaction from Congress has been mixed on the invasion. Some welcomed the move. Others made remarks such as "Gunboat diplomacy has a new king. Move over, Teddy Roosevelt." But
Bellmon defends the president's decision. "There are probably places in the world where we shouldn't be involved," Bellmon said, "but when we have vital interest as we have in the Carribean it appears we are justified in fighting fire with fire. "It appears the armed resistance was more than just the reported Cuban construction." Bellmon said U.S. trade, raw materials and tourism fit in as vital interests, but the threat to Mexico is the most important. "No one likes these kinds of situations but I think it's important to remember that we didn't cause the situation. The Cubans and the Soviets were there before," Bellmon said. "Our option was to sit by and see a fairly close neighbor fall under the dominance of an unfriendly government due to acts of violence." Bellmon said the Soviets played a major role in last week's takeover of the island. "It seems the Soviets test U.S. presidents and when they find a weakness they exploit that," Bellmon said. "I am assuming that this was a part of the ploy in Grenada. President Reagan's strong reaction will have an effect on Soviet policy in the future.". Bellmon equated the invasion with "a successful Bay of Pigs operation," and added that he would not favor a withdrawal of troops until order was restored in the country. Although the invasion falls
under the War Powers Act, giving Congress the power to withdraw the troops after 60 days, Bellmon said he doubted that they would be needed on the island for that long. Bellmon suggested that public opinion would support the action. "Although it's too soon to know," Bellmon explained, "but I think Americans are tired of the U.S. appearing to be a helpless giant and they would react positively to a president who doesn't hesitate to move in a situation where we can have a constructive impact." Bellmon said he supports the president on Grenada, but when it comes to Beirut, the former senator has reservations. Bellmon said the conflict in Lebanon has been going on for ages and he does not understand why U.S. Marines are there. "First of all, I think the label of peace-keeping force is far from accurate," Bellmon said. "They have not involved themselves in anything resembling peacekeeping. They have been aloof from the conflict between the Christians and the Palestinians." Bellmon said he expressed his opposition to the policy before th massacre of over 200 Marines, but added the troops should not retreat as a result of the "tragedy." "I don't see how you can under these circumstances," Bellmon said. "It would look like our foreign policy can be effected by terrorist and this would invite further acts of this kind."
See PHONES, page 3
In this issue. . .
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State, local, world news...page 3 Nigerian news available in library...page 4 ROTC colonel defends invasion...page 5 Klemme named 'Calendar Girl'...page 6 Quarterback turns lineman...page 7 Bronchos look to 'smooth sailing'...page 8
Vista photos by Daniel Smith
Old and new?
The present phone system (left) may be replaced with the electronic consol operated by one person (right). —