See Page A9 for Stampede Week’s schedule and more Volume 113, Issue 14
the VISTA “The University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Voice Since 1903”
Follow the Vista: UCentralMedia.com vistanews1903 @TheVista1903 thevista1903 The Vista Monday, Aug. 22, 2016
Welcome to Your Changing University The Vista
@TheVista1903 Vista Staff Reports
Changes have been made to the University of Central Oklahoma, with many beginning last semester and over the summer. The following is a compilation of the changes that were made. Construction crews at Old North have been setback due to recent high seismic activity, which required added construction. The project is expected to be completed in late October. The $8.45 million construction project, which is still on budget, was contracted to be completed at the end of July for classrooms and offices to be setup in
the building. The Nigh University Center has had several remodels over the summer, including a new Apple Tech Store, convenience store, and new United States Post Office. The changes come as Chartwells, the food service provider, continues talks about its contract with the university. Changes also allowed for expansion of the print shop on the first floor of the Nigh and new offices for the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association. See Changing University on Page A3
The sun sets behind the Broncho statue in front of Hamilton Field House. With several buildings under construction and a changing enrollment rate, the University of Central Oklahoma is a constantly evolving campus. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.
UCO Tuition Increases 9.9 Percent Eriech Tapia @eriechtapia95 Reporter
Students at the University of Central Oklahoma have been faced with a 9.9 percent increase in mandatory tuition from an $8.4 million shortfall to the university, causing university-wide cutbacks to be considered. Cuts are also occurring across campus, as the university has had to postpone increasing its overall scholarship fund and taking new approaches to finding funding. “Over these last several years, we have witnessed an eroding public investment in higher education,” UCO President Don Betz said. “UCO’s proposed tuition/fees will cover about two-thirds of the FY 17 financial challenge we face.” Cuts were announced at a Regional University System of Oklahoma meeting on June 23, 2016. The increase in tuition still will not cover all of the cuts facing the university, only covering $6.7 million, with the rest requiring cuts across the campus. Credit hour production was also forecasted to be lower than previous
years and the campus-wide cost also increased by $2.1 million over last fiscal year, said Patti Neuhold, associate vice president for planning and budget at UCO. “The budget cuts have forced all of higher education to make hard decisions about costs and increased tuition,” Jeff Dunn, regent for RUSO said in a statement. “The worst outcome is that some students may be forced to postpone their education because they can’t afford to invest in a college degree.” Betz said that cutting faculty would be counterproductive, though he addressed that the university is examining all positions and replacement hires. UCO is currently 70 to 110 additional full-time faculty positions behind other pier institutes. “To address the shortfalls, we have substantively reduced operational budgets, drawn down on reserves, examined all positions and reviewing all replacement hires. We have curbed involvement in a number of discretionary programs,” Betz said. See Tuition on Page A4
Sophomore Jorge Rojas and his father, Paul Rojas, speak to a Bursar Office employee on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.