The Student Voice Since 1903
T 1-1 EVI STA UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
WWW.THEVISTAONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2003
Tuition jumps by Rod Jones Staff Writer The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education raised tuition for universities June 30 to offset declines in state funding and increases in school expenditures. The tuition increases will begin in the fall semester, with UCO's jumping 18.8 percent. Harve Allen, media relations director for the regents, said a combination of factors forced them to raise tuition. "Students were paying one-third of the cost [of education] while taxpayers had to foot the rest of the bill," he said. He added that enrollment increases and mandatory increases in teacher's health insurance raised the cost of education. State appropriations to universities were reduced 3.8 percent due to revenue shortfalls. Despite the higher tuition, the regents project a 3.2 percent increase in enrollment. They say appropriations will level off while enrollment goes up, leaving less money available for each student. Universities have added more tuition waivers since the tuition hike "to make sure students aren't priced out of the market," Allen said. Oklahoma institutions have increased waivers by $11 million, but students will probably have to rely more on student loans, he said. The average state increase for a 30-hour
undergraduate year will be $430. "Keeping quality programs intact requires more money," Allen said. International students at UCO, already paying a higher rate than Oklahoma residents, will have to pay $274.95 per undergraduate hour compared to $99.95 for in-state residents. Dr. Ronald Paddack, director of international student services, said it will take at least a semester to see if international student enrollment drops. "Some parents have expressed concern, but I'm not aware of any bail out," Paddack said. He said many students save money on their own in their native countries to pay for school here. In order to raise the tuition, the regents removed a tuition increase cap that had been in place for two years. It was designed to keep tuition from going up more than 9 percent a year. Now universities are required to keep their tuition below the lowest of the regional average. Allen said UCO fees are 15 percent below. the regional average. Even with the extra $82.2 million expected from tuition increases, the state will be short of funds for higher education. "We will have to wait and see what happens with the economy," Allen said. "We're not out of the storm yet."
Photo by Tina Fowble
Psychology junior Somer Pfeifer writes a check July 8 at the Bursar's Office.
Fall enrollment climbing despite increasing costs by Robert T. Crauthers Staff Writer
Photo by Tina Fowble
Fall enrollment continues to rise despite the increased cost.
Despite the decrease in student enrollment this summer, UCO will see a 3.8 percent increase in the student population in the fall, said Jerry Legere, assistant vice president for Enrollment Management. Fall enrollment is at 11,977, as of July 7, up from 11,542 this time last year. A number of factors have contributed to the increase, Legere said. "In the past several years, people have wanted to stay at UCO longer, he said. "They also tend to transfer here to finish their education."
Transfer students numbered 830, as of July 7, and many will wait until August to register, Legere said. 'About a third wait until last minute," he said. Despite a 4 percent increase of students needing housing, UCO should be able to cope with the situation, said Jasmine Herd, a front desk clerk in the housing department. "Most rooms have been sealed up, but there have been a lot of cancellations," she said. Summer enrollment was down 284 from last year at this time, Legere said. "We might just not have been offering what people wanted," he said.
Global village? How about 'cubicle village'? by Jim Epperson III Senior Writer Four UCO departments have offices in a little place administrators call "Cubicle Village." Professors, Special Education Services, Speech and Language Pathology and the Reading Clinic all use the 40 offices made of cubicles in the library. John Westerman, chair of the professional teacher education (PTE) department, works in an office in the village on the third floor of the library. He said students and professors who visit him do not have any privacy. "Sometimes I'll be talking to someone and people will just join the conversation from three cubicles over," Westerman said. Westerman said one time he was on the phone with the Dean of the College of Education discussing business. Someone heard what was discussed. "Some one gave me some insight on my conversation with the dean," he said. Westerman office used to be in Old North before it was considered unsafe. He then moved into a 9-ft by 9-ft cubicle, where he does administrative and student work "I had a beautiful office," he said. Nancy Combs, the reading department secretary, said during the
fall and spring semesters she has to take work home because it is too noisy. But Combs said the biggest problem is student privacy. "I've had a lot of students tell me that they have a problem with privacy issues," she said. Stuart Hughes, an industrial safety junior, said talking to his professor is no big deal when it is minor issues like enrolling in classes. "But if I got an `F,' I would want privacy" Administrative secretary for PTE Paula Fowler said students acknowledge the limitations of the cubicles. "Students deserve to have privacy when they need to talk to their professors," sh•said. Fowler said other problems are lack of storage space and space in the office. She said students arc in the offices throughout the day. "It's too loud to give tests in here," she said. Westerman said there are plans to build and move off as on the south side of the fourth floor. He said it would cost $800,000. Fowler said three coaches are moving on the third floor in the library because there is no room anywhere else. They are taking up some of the last workrooms she said. "They are moving into our little village," she said.
Photo by Tina Fowble
Professional Teacher Education offices are located on the third floor of the library.