SPORTS:
WASTE SEMINAR.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
a
CROSS COUNTRY
•
•
FACULTY SHORTAGE RESOLVED? page 2 /%i// rii
I #91-- .
SCORES 0
, 00,1,a page 5
//page 6
1;/ /
THE
VISTA.
November 2, 1989 Vol. 88, No. 18
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Lillard responds to petition By Keith Purtell Guest Writer Student hopes of a large openforum meeting with CSU President Dr. Bill Lillard to discuss cuts in adjunct faculty and classes have been dashed, it was revealed in a press conference Monday. "That's not what was agreed to," Lillard said. "When I received the petition the students brought to me, I said that I would give it thoughtful consideration, and that I would respond." Lillard presented a plan to meet
with students individually to discuss any university-related issue with him. "This conference, and this plan for these meetings with individual
students, is my response to the petition," Lillard said. "It is my basic professional reputation to talk openly and honestly." Petition organizer Donna Banks
disagreed with Lillard, saying that their original discussion had concerned an open- forum type meeting which would have included Lillard; Dr. Clyde Jacob, vice
Please see LILLARD on page 8.
Petitioner angry with Lillard's announcement
Media statement read by Lillard 1. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, three students presented a petition to me asking that no additional classes be closed for spring semester. I wish to express my appreciation to the students for their interest and concern. 2. I make this announcement to clear the air of any possible rumors being circulated. I understand the concern of students with the ever increasing cost of fees and tuition. Having worked my way through college I know how difficult it can be. 3. I say to the students of Central State University—there are no plans to close any classes for the spring of 1990. The class schedule will be implemented as printed. Only lack of enrollment by students would prevent a class from being offered. 4. Also, in order to keep CSU students better informed, I plan to provide an opportunity for students to meet with me on a personal, individual basis. I believe this is the most effective way to communicate. This process will not replace the existing line of communication to the Student Senate, Presidents Club, The Vista, KCSC, but will be in addition. 5. Meetings are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 1 and 2, University Center, Heritage Lounge, 3 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively. If these meetings prove to be of benefit to the students, consideration will be given to continuing them during the spring semester.
president of administration; members of the faculty senate; the petition organizers; the Student Association and a large number of students. "I don't think he really wants to answer the questions with witnesses to his reply," said Banks in comments after the press conference. "He doesn't seem to be willing to talk to students unless it's individually ." Lillard said in a prepared statement handed out at the conference that the individual meetings would supplement the usual lines of corn-
By Bill Kramer Staff Writer
Let's get to the point CSU President Bill Lillard explains to local media representatives why he thinks one-on-one interviews would prove more efficient than a campus-wide forum discussion. (Photo by Dan Smith)
Bomb starts East Hall fire By Bill Kramer Staff Writer A home-made bomb sparked a fire about 4 a.m. Saturday in the first-floor, northside bathroom in East Hall on the Central State University campus, said Edmond Fire Marshal Ron Williamson. The Edmond Fire Department is currently conducting an investigation of the arson which caused only minor smoke and fire damage. The situation, however, could have been potentially dangerous, Williamson said. "What you had was more or less a self-made bomb with a container filled with gasoline—or some pet-
roleum product—and an M-60 firecracker, one of the more potent fireworks available," he said. "Whoever devised it obviously meant to cause fire damage. Someone else knows about this, and we would appreciate finding out who that person is," Williamson said. Campus Police Chief Bob Roberts said a bottle of Armor-All protectant with the top cut out included a petroleum substance— possibly gasoline—and the firecracker. The liquid was ignited and the fire started, he said. "On the surface this may seem like a prank-type thing, but in reality it could have been very serious," Roberts said.
Had the firecracker gone off, Roberts said, it could have spread the petroleum substance throughout the hallway, causing great potential for damage. Roberts said the fire was discovered by Chin Yap, an East Hall resident. Yap awoke resident assistant Nate Kirkwood who doused the flames with a fire extinguisher, Roberts said. Williamson said he hopes anyone with information will contact either the Edmond Fire Department at 341-1313 or Campus Police at Ext. 2345. He said persons do not have to identify themselves when calling.
Donna Banks left Central State University President Bill Lillard's press conference angry after he announced his decision Monday to meet with students on an individaul basis instead of holding a campus-wide forum to discuss fall class cancellations. Banks said Lillard is not trying to stop rumors as he promised to do by scheduling a campus-wide meeting, but he is going to cause new rumors to start by speaking to students individually. "I am very disappointed with the outcome of the press conference. I think he was very condescending, and he is just copping out. I don't think he is taking us seriously," Banks said. "I think he is causing more problems by speaking to individuals. He may tell one person one thing and tell another person something totally different. He went back on all that he said last week," she said. "He set up a lot of barriers including only a 48-hour notice of interviews which will be held at a time when most people are working," she said. "I understand why he's doing it this way: You divide and conquer."