The Vista Sept. 6, 2016

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See Page 6 for Bucking Broncho Volume 113, Issue 16

the VISTA

“The University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Voice Since 1903”

Follow the Vista: UCentralMedia.com vistanews1903 @TheVista1903 thevista1903 The Vista Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016

Don’t Count on Voting for Pot in November Queila Omena @QueilaOmena Reporter

Clinton Wales stands with his sign in front of the state capitol at the Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016 Pack the Capitol for Legal Medical Cannabis rally. Protestors gathered at the capitol to protest the revision of the initial proposal by state officials. Photo by Queila Omena, The Vista.

Despite 67,761 signatures in favor of putting medical marijuana on the ballot this November, University of Central Oklahoma students should not expect to be able to vote on this debated issue. Oklahomans for Health collected the signatures to State Question 788, where medical marijuana would be implemented and would allow doctors to prescribe cannabis products to patients in need. The original ballot question was modified and rewritten by Attorney General Scott Pruitt. Supporters of medical marijuana believe the change to the ballot question was made to evoke a “no-vote” from voters. Supporters say the new wording of the state question misleads voters to believe the petition would also allow the recreational use of cannabis, instead of strictly medical use. See Marijuana on 5

The Push for International Dollars:

A Private Institution’s Philosophy

Eriech Tapia @eriechtapia95 Reporter

International students have become a discussion in recent years as funding cutbacks to the University of Central Oklahoma have deepened and how creating new ways of funding has become an issue. Paying $325.35 more per credit hour than their in-state counterparts, international students will end up paying almost three times as much when they take 15 credit hours, according to the university’s fee schedule. “We are having to function more like a private institution in the form of recruitment,” Myron Pope said, vice president for Student Affairs at UCO. The university spends over $9.2 million dollars in scholarships each year, with international students receiving more assistance per individual than any other demographic, on average. They also make up around 33 percent of tuition collection, according to Pope. Out of the entire scholarship fund, international students re-

From left, Don Betz, University President; Myron Pope, Vice President for Student Affairs; Dennis Dunham, Executive Director of International Affairs. (Photos provided by Dan Smith, Photo Services).

ceived $1.09 million, second only to Caucasians who were awarded $3.45 million, the largest of any demographic, according university records. “Since we are not receiving as much money from the state; what many institutions are doing is they are leveraging their scholarships … and basically what they are doing is going out and

getting high-paying students to be able to cover the cost of the shortfall,” Pope said. The 866 students who were awarded scholarships received an average of $1,437.49, which is higher than other demographics, but the reward comes with a cost. “So yes we are giving more dollars

to international students, but if you look at it, they are paying more per student,” Pope said. Cost for international students comes in at three times as much as an in-state undergraduate student and are required to pay additional fees each semester, which most universities require. See Scholarships on 4


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