The Vista November 8, 1983

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1C9EICIE November 8, 1983

Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma

Vol. 82, No. 19

Cutbacks would be 'disasterous'

Presidents project 'gloomy' picture By MaryGaye Franklin Staff Reporter Nine of 10 presidents of the state regional universities went on record Monday afternoon in the University Center in support of a special session to solve the state budget dilemma which could paralyze education. The presidents called a press conference at which CSU President Bill Lillard read a prepared statement, endorsed by all ten, voicing their concerns with future state funding of education. The presidents have been asked by the state to evaluate the effects of a potential budget reduction of 16 percent and what the impact of such reductions be. Lillard had previously noted that such a cutback could mean a loss of over $5 million to CSU. "If a budget reduction of this magnitude should occur, we believe there is little doubt that the quality education at the higher education level would be nonexistent," Lillard read from the statement. "The mandated cuts to reach this budget level would be disastrous for all of our universities and would require a major re-thinking of our current commitment to our students, faculty and the people of Oklahoma." Lillard took the lead in the press conference by voicing his support for a special session and a tax-hike. None of the other presidents voiced opposition to this view. "I would work to support those members of the House and Senate who would work towards raising additional funds for higher education in the state of Oklahoma," Lillard said. "Our concern and fears for the ability of our institutions to maintain the quality and the quantity of education if the current fiscal conditions of our state government continue to decline," he continued. In their statement, the presidents requested that the governor and the state legislature establish a program to bring about fiscal stability in the state government. "We feel that our responsibility as university presidents is to point out what the conditions are and what might be the dire circumstances if the budget continues to be cut," Lillard said. "In '82-'83 we started tighten-

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ing our belt in terms of out-ofstate travel, in terms of purchase of needed equipment, supplies and books, and in the area of maintanence of the buildings and grounds. We are now in '83-'84 and our state appropriations for '83-'84 are the same as they were in '82-'83," Lillard said. "Now we are in the process of making cutbacks on our state appropriations," Lillard said. "This means we will have less money in '83-'84 than we had in '82-'83. Some institutions are reflecting a growth in enrollment so we are serving more students with fewer dollars. "If you take '84-'85 with these potential cutbacks you can no longer tighten your belt for the third year and postpone some of these purchases. What we are saying is we feel that the second year and the third year of belt tightening is becoming very serious. We just need to point that out to the leaders of the state," Lillard said. Dr. Stanley Wagner of East Central State University was the only other president who spoke during the press briefing. Wagner pointed out some of the specific cutbacks at his university. "We have cut 25 percent of all the non-contractual obligations and this would meet the immediate crisis," Wagner said. "In the areas of travel, equipment, supplies, books, and maintenence—all areas that are not contractual—we have cut our people 25 percent." According to Lillard some of the specific things done at CSU to deal with the cutbacks are: leaving non-teaching positions vacant for several weeks or months. This year the university combined two administrative positions into one. "You can do these things on a temporary basis but only for so long a time," Lillard said. "Eventually, if you don't repair the roof or buy some of the equipment, the costs later on are even greater than if you made the purchase at the appropriate time. "We spend about $1 million on summer school. We have 6,000 students enrolled in summer school. I'm not saying that would be a final course of action but if we eliminated summer school we would save $1 million. "Then we would have to find $4 million more to save. If we eliminated our evening and night

In this issue. . . Legalized drugs supported...page 3 Who's Who's honors students...page 4 Troy calls for better school funding...page 5 Bronchos look to playoff spot...page 7 Harriers win district meet...page 6

classes we would save $750,000. "You are talking about cutting back to practically nothing outof-state travel, which is very important for professional people," said Lillard. "The results would be

disasterous. You are not belt tightening when you cut the budget 16 percent, you are going to have to eliminate some much needed programs." According to Lillard the students at CSU have indicated to

him that they are willing to pay a reasonable increase in their fees to help maintain quality and quantity of education on campus. "I had a student group go on record the other evening as supporting a 10 percent increase in fees," said Lillard.

Vista photo by Daniel Smith

CSU President Bill Lillard responds to a reporter's question at a press conference Monday afternoon. Lillard is flanked by Dr. Stanley Wagner of East Central University.

Birthday party not an invasion By Terri Carpenter Staff Reporter When you see sky divers dropping to the ground and repellers coming down the wall of the University Center, don't be alarmed. CSU is not being invaded, just celebrating a birthday. "Bronze and blue at 92" is the theme of CSU's birthday that will be celebrated 10:30-11:40 a.m., Nov. 9, at the quadrangle north of the University Center. Classes will be dismissed only with the instructor's permission for students to participate in the 92nd birthday of CSU, where classes first opened Nov. 9, 1891. The festivities will begin with the band playing select numbers, the homecoming queen, Cathy Christianson, will be the master of ceremonies. Jenny Fowler, Miss CSU for 1983, will sing the national anthem.

Along with vocal entertainment, the Kaleidoscope dancers and other modern dancers will perform. At the same time the dances are going on, there will be several games like tug-of-war, piethrowing and a book toss. Winners will be awarded with T-shirts bearing the "Bronze and Blue" logo. Targets for the pie throwing contest will be Dr. Dudley Ryan, dean of students, Dennie Hall, faculty senate president, Joe McCourry, student senate president and other campus student leaders. ROTC cadets will repel down the north wall of the University Center. The celebration will end with sky divers from the Sooner Parachte Association at 11:15 a.m. CSU is the state's oldest institution of higher education. It was formerly named Oklahoma Normal School.


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