The Vista April 22, 2003

Page 1

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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2003

Risser visits UCO, praises diversity by Mark Schlachtenhaufen ms@thevistaonline.com Paul Risser, the new Chancellor for Higher Education, described. UCO as an institution that is "on the move" during a campus visit April 17, part of his tour of the state's 25 colleges and universities. "It's very clear that UCO is kind of a special university — it's sort of in a class by itself," Risser said during his opening remarks. "It's not obviously one of the two research universities, but it's also very different from other regional universities." Over time, UCO will become

more distinctive in its mission and in its size, Risser said. The university serves not just Edmond, but the entire state. Risser also recognized UCO for having a large number of international students, who make it a culturally diverse campus. Chancellor Risser, the CEO of the state higher education system, said UCO's rapid surge in enrollment passed the 15,000-level stands as a vote of confidence in the university. "The diversity of students here - diversity not only in terms of country of origin, but also of age - provides a very rich learning experience for all students

because students these days learn so much from each other," he said. The Legislature, proceeding through the budgetary process, has been working hard to protect higher education from deep cuts, and to provide as much financial support as possible, Risser said. Oklahoma's success hinges on the success of higher education, he said. "The state Regents then make sure that money is distributed fairly among the institutions, and much of that is driven by num-

Paul Risser

"The diversity of students here - diversity not only in terms of country of origin, but also of age - provides a very rich learning experience for all students because students these days learn so much from each other."

Bronchos baseball team wins three games against Southwestern. - Page 5

- Paul Risser Channcellor of Higher Education

see Risser page 3

Professor appointed to Board of Education â– Governor selects

Oklahoma had not previously been audited in accordance with all accounting principles and standards, Miles-Scott said. She has also directed audits of the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department by Mark Schlachtenhaufen of Corrections, the State Treasury ms@thevistaonline.com and the State Budget Office. In 1982, she joined the DHS and Gayle Miles-Scott, UCO assisformed and supervised an intertant accounting professor, won nal audit unit. Senate confirmation April 16 for She was past chairwoman of her appointment to the State the Oklahoma Securities Board of Education, which govCommission and she served on a erns the State Department of governor's task force that Education. reviewed the state's teacher retire"No one is more dedicated to ment system. She also owned a public education than piiblic accountGayle Miles-Scott," firm from Gov. Brad Henry "No one is more ing 1982-1994. said. "Because of her dedicated to Miles-Scott extensive background has been teachpublic education in the field, I think ing at UCO she will make a great than Gayle since 1986 and addition to the State maintains a priMiles-Scott." Board of Education." vate accounting Henry announced - Gov. Bra d Henry practice. At Miles-Scott's appointUCO, she ment to the State teaches a class Board of Education on governmental and non-profit April 11. Her first meeting with accounting. the seven-member board, chaired "She's a very talented individby State Superintendent Sandy ual who will do wonderful things Garrett, was April 17. for the people of Oklahoma," "I'm going right to work, and Henry said. Superintendent Garrett has Miles-Scott said her goals already told me that my first include seeing that Oklahoma assignment will be to review the school children don't suffer as a Oklahoma City Public Schools consequence of unequal cuts. If audit," Miles-Scott said. cuts must be made, they should In a report delivered to the be fairly distributed in the State Board of Education earlier instruction side and the administhis month, independent auditors trative side, she said. criticized the accounting practices She said she also wants of the school district, which has Oklahoma's public school system had trouble balancing its books. back where it was several years Miles-Scott said her review of ago, at a higher level. that audit will include meetings The Senate Standing with district accountants. Committee on Education unaniMiles-Scott has an extensive mously approved Miles-Scott's background in both education and accounting. She supervised a team that performed a major state see Miles-Scott page 3 audit in 1980. The state of

UCO accounting professor due to extensive background in education

Photo by Justin Avera

Dr. Bob Palmer instructs Abby Simons, Art junior, in the Art Building on April 16.

Palmer hands over position

Broncho softball team loses double-header to Southeastern Oklahoma. - Page 5

College of Education annual awards banquet will be on April 25. - Page 3

Garby fills speaker position

by Thad Danner td@thevistaonline.com

by Thad Donner td@thevistaonline.com

Dr. Bob Palmer, Art chair for 7 years, is stepping down. Dr. Christopher Markwood, dean of the College of Arts, Media and Design, said administration hopes to decide on a new chairman by August 1. "I prefer to think of it as getting my life back," Palmer said, citing a need to get more time in the classroom as his reason for stepping down from the chairmanship. John Gatcwood II, graphic arts design senior, said, "[Palmer] has done so much for the arts community in all forms, visual, dance etc., just getting the arts out to the people." Palmer has been involved with mural painting projects locally, as well as in Muskogee and McAlester. He said he plans to continue working on mural projects. Two applicants, Jay Anderson, Craft Alliance of Missouri faculty member, and Dr. Arthur

Jones, chair of the Radford University Art Department have met openly with the students and faculty of the Art Department. Anderson holds an M.F.A. form Ohio University and an M.A. in Art History from the University of Arkansas Little Rock. Jones earned a Ph.D. from Case-Western Reserve University. Anthony Nguyen, graphic design senior, said he liked Jones, "especially his ability to look at the things we have and be positive about it." Richard D. Glazier, adjunct Art instructor, said, "The department needs someone who is aware we're in a formative state. We need to know they're really willing to work." The chairman is traditionally a teacher as well as an administrator. Glazier said the teaching duties are very important and that fundraising is essential to adding more full-time professors and less reliance on the adjunct system.

UCOSA elected Joe Garby, corporate communications junior, the new Speaker of the House of Representatives by a two-vote margin April 14. Though the Senate is organized by campus organizations, UCOSA's House of Representatives consists of students elected through the colleges. Garby has been involved with UCOSA for two years and said finding wider participation in the House is often UCOSA's greatest challenge. "Greek Life is the only way I found out there was a student

Joe Garby government," Garby said. Garby said he wants to increase the UCOSA profile by advertising more and participating heavily in Stampede Week.

The School of Music will present the musical adaptation of "The Spitfire Grill." - Page 4


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The Vista April 22, 2003 by The Vista - Issuu