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THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2003
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Thrift, Hoffman win student office seats by Thad Danner td@thevistaonline.com Kate Thrift, political science junior, won the online election April 9 to become UCOSA President. Kristin Hoffman, interpersonal communications junior, won the vice presidential election. Thrift beat out Derek England, finance junior, by a narrow margin of 31 votes. Thrift garnered 380 votes to England's 349. Thrift said she is looking forward to meeting with the new
House and Senate leadership who are yet to be chosen. Thrift said she is, "still in shock over winning because it was such a tough race." Hoffman won the race for Vice President with 420 votes. Hanan Shahid, international trade freshman came in second with 191 votes. Yuma Takahashi, economics junior won 50 votes. "I'm looking forward to working with Kate Thrift and getting our school excited for the new stadium renovations," Hoffman said.
Kate Thrift
Kristin Hoffman
729 students voted in the presidential election. A slightly
lower number, 661 voted in the election for Vice President. Last
year's elections for UCOSA officers totalled 254 votes. Blake Fry, director of Campus Life, credits the higher turnout partially to the fact that there was more than one candidate for President, but primarily to heavier campaigning by the candidates. Fry thinks the move to online elections spurred the more intense campaigns, saying, ''Last year they could just stand outside the Student Union and say, "vote for me."
No. 5 UCO baseball team went on a three-game rampage against East Central. - Page 8
Regents approve guidelines for tuition and fee increases
The Hex
by Mark Schlachtenhaufen ms@thevistaonline.com Acting on the passage of the tuition bill, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education have approved guidelines for colleges and universities seeking to increase' tuition and mandatory fees. The State Regents' guidelines, effective immediately, cover issues related to the tuition bill, signed into law by Gov. Brad Henry on March 29. HB 1748 removed the caps that had limited tuition increases to seven percent for Oklahoma residents and nine percent for nonresidents. Supporters said without having a new revenue source, the quality of higher edu-
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cation would suffer. The Higher Education Association for Reform (H.E.A.R.) lobbied against the bill, fearing it would lead to excessive hikes, making higher education unaffordable. Chancellor Paul Risser said State Regents responded to the concerns. "Safeguards were then included in the bill that would help ensure that any increase in tuition and/or fees was justifiable and did not price students out of a college education," Risser said. Under the guidelines, local presidents would propose tuition and fee increases to the school's
see Bill page 4
Women's softball fell to LSC North leader Southeastern in a double-header April 15. - Page 8
UCO members to participate in Heart Walk fund raiser by Donielle Blake Student Writer Photo by Heather Harkins
The band, "The Hex," performs at the Broncho Pavilion April 9. Pictured here from left: Todd Jackson, Christopher Sanborn and Brian Cheek.
Crumbling highways, bridges signs of crisis OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Motorists on Oklahoma highways are in for a rough ride these days, with a transportation program choked of road maintenance dollars and lawmakers about to ask drivers to pay more. Signs of the state's crumbling transportation infrastructure are as common across the state as the road signs that lead motorists to the next exit. Cars and trucks dodge bumps and cracked pavement on busy Interstate 40 in Canadian County and Interstate 44 in Lawton. Transportation officials
Annual awards honor students and faculty by Thad Danner td@thevistaonline.com The College of Mathematics and Science held its 21st annual awards banquet 6:00 p.m. on April 11 in the Sellers Event Center. Dr. William Caire, dean of the College of Math and Science, said the awards are a way to, "recognize achievement. I'm sure that feeds out through the college and assures other students that they will be recognized for their work." Who's Who awardees were Kevin Mathew Pargeter, Andrea Rae Heavin, Lauran Ruth Scott,
see Awards page 4
say there's not enough money to repair them. Traffic is frequently bumperto-bumper on Oklahoma 9 in Norman and U.S. Highway 169 in Tulsa, used every day by thousands more vehicles than for which they were designed. Officials say the state can't afford to expand them. And in Carter County, highway inspectors closed the U.S. 77 bridge over Caddo Creek north of Ardmore to repair structural problems, inconveniencing up to 3,000 motorists a day. Recently reopened, officials said the state can't afford to replace it. The condition of Oklahoma's crumbling highways and bridges may have damaging consequences. A person driving on an inadequate highway is 67 percent
more likely to be involved in a highway collision, according to the Department of Transportation. "People have recognized the fact that our system is deteriorating at a rapid rate," Transportation Director Gary Ridley said. Inadequate funding has forced the state to ignore vital repair and rebuilding projects "for years and years and years," he said. The deteriorating conditions prompted lawmakers to propose an increase in the state tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, which primarily support highway maintenance. Legislation that would ask voters in the 2004 general election to raise the tax is pending
see Roads page 3
At least 38 people from UCO plan to participate in the Oklahoma City Heart Walk Saturday, April 26 in downtown Oklahoma City to raise money for the American Heart Association. "Taking Steps to Save Lives" is the theme for this year's event, which begins at 8 a.m. at the Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ball Park in downtown OKC. Opening ceremonies will commence at 8:30 a.m. followed by a pep rally and the official start of the 3.2 mile walk at 9 a.m., according to event organizers. "In the past, we've really just gone with faculty and staff," said LaBetta Wallenmeyer, director of the Student Health Center and UCO's team captain. "I wish we could get more student involvement. I think this year we have more students than ever, though." According to Pat Casey, cocaptain of the UCO team, the members registered for the event include faculty, staff and several student organizations. The team hopes to raise $5,000 through donations this year, she said.
The route takes you from the ballpark, around the bombing memorial and back, said Casey. It takes about 45 minutes and is open to children, animals and skaters, too. "The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardio vascular diseases and stroke," according to the group's mission statement. The American Heart Walk is one the organization's best fund raisers, and the Oklahoma City American Heart Walk is the number 8 ranked walk in the country, according to organizers. "My husband had heart surgery in '97," said Casey. "I've been walking since '98." Other activities surrounding the event include free massages, a health fair and group pictures, said Casey. "Jarod from Subway was there last year, but he won't be able to be there this year." Wallenmeyer added, "It's fun... They try to make it really lively." For more information about signing up for the walk or organizing your own team, contact Pat Casey at 974-2373.
Spring commencement ceremonies will take place on May 9 and 10. - Page 3
Electrical fire sparks scares and minor damages in West Hall by Kristen Armstrong ka@thevistaonline.com An electrical fire broke out in Room 223 of West Hall April 15. Residents said RAs used a fire extinguisher to put out the sparks before the Edmond Fire Department arrived. Gary Dill, of the Edmond Fire Prevention Office, said an electrical short caused the fire. "The box springs were against the plug on the wall. Somehow the metal frame got against the plug, caused a short and the short ignited," he said. Jamie Martin lives in Room 223.
"It just sparked. I head a loud spark, but I ignored it. Then I looked under my bed and it was on fire. The extension cord was charred," she said, standing outside the building waiting for the "all clear" to reenter. "The week can only get worse, it's only Tuesday," Martin said to a friend. Chelsea Hunt, biology freshman, lives two doors down, across the hall from Martin. She said Martin came out of her room, dazed, saying, "My room is on fire. Chelsea, come look. My room is on fire."
see Fire page 4
Photo by Tina Fowble
Edmond Fire Department on the scene of an electrical fire in West Hall April 15.
Earth Day events will feature keynote speaker Laira Engleby, who trains dolphins with the U.S. Navy. - Page 3