* Election '94 issue * Take me to the polls Nov. 8!
University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY November 3, 1994
The Student Voice Since 1903
Bookin'
Between the covers IL. of textbook pricing This is the first part of a two-part investigation outlining the pitfalls and plusses of buying textbooks, and the true costs of publishing.
spent on pizza and beer, the biggest costs in college are likely to be living expenses, textbook purchases and tuition charges. A new copy of Ancient History, a 563 page hard-cover textbook published by Macmillan Publishing Company, costs $75 at the University Bookstore. With tuition prices at about $50 per credit hour, one textbook could cost over half the price of a class. When asked about the price of textbooks, students often give a similar response. "I think they're incredibly too high," said Chrishian McCollam, UCO student. Textbook prices may leave students feeling like they are being robbed but, when all is said and paid for, few are making out like thieves. Although the college bookstore lines may echo with complaints, many argue the students are getting what they pay for. "Students will gripe about the cost of textbooks even though they don't blink at paying five bucks for movie popcorn and a drink that's mostly ice," Helen Heightsman Gordon, professor of English at Bakersfield College in California, wrote in an article for the Association of American Publishers (AAP) magazine.
By David L. Hanigar Staff Writer Earn Money for Textbooks: Give Plasma Today. lthough the above is not an adverising campaign for the local plasa mongrels UCO student Charlie Price said it could be effective. It is probably safe to say that most students operate on limited funds. If they didn't, dorm rooms might not be so popular, financial aid would exist as a near-useless entity and parents might be a wee-bit happier. But, dorm rooms at several Oklahoma colleges stay, on the average, about 70 percent to 80 percent full except in the summer. About $18 million in financial aid was given out in the 1993-94 school year and out of 50 Oklahoma college students surveyed, 36 received some support from their parents with college expenses. Although some of that money may be
At
UCO graduate student JaneAnn Laird purchases books from University Center Bookstore employee Earlene Baxter on Friday. (Staff Photo by John Gilmore)
V See
BOOKED, Page 5
`Poor turnout' at seminars leaves staff discouraged By Julie Dye Staff Writer
W
ith nearly $20 million in financial aid already apportioned to UCO students this semester, it was surprising to the staff of the financial aid office that their seminars transpired for the most part without notice. In fact, only two students, on average,
Editorial
2
Letters
2
World Wrap 6 Around Cam pus
15
Sports 10-11 Comics
15
attended each of the seven seminars, which were intended to alleviate grief and frustration on the students' part when dealing with the office. "I had about 1,000 fliers posted all over campus, there was a flier put in every person's mailbox who lives in the dorms, there was about 6,000 fliers sent out with financial aid statements, and an article in The Vista," said Kenneth Ward, financial aid peer counselor.
BIG Two UCO broadcast6 ing students snag first prize, netting $3,000 for their inspirational video.
"I don't know how to advertise any better than we did, yet we still got a very, very poor turnout." Ward said he tried to remedy the poor attendance from last year's sessions by offering them in the mornings and afternoons and advertising heavily. "It's discouraging because I know there are students out there who don't understand the financial aid process and they get very
MUSIC
7
Writer Jimmy Hyde writes about a native Oklahoma musician, his upcoming concert and new album.
frustrated with us." He said he experienced some frustration as well, because he took the time to put materials together and called in guest speakers for students who never showed. "I'm assuming, just like everybody, students just didn't have the time," Ward said.
V See DISCOURAGED, Page 4
SPORTS
10
UCO Bronchos football plays host to NebraskaKearney after a week layoff