The Vista July 5, 2016

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@TheVista1903 thevista1903 The Vista The University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Voice Since 1903

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

UCO tuition increases 9.9 percent Eriech Tapia

Students at the University of Central Oklahoma will soon be faced with a 9.9 percent increase in mandatory tuition and fees from an $8.4 million shortfall to the university, causing university-wide cutbacks to be considered. “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 last Thursday. Unfortunately, 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

Betz and administration have announced a tuition increase due to the budget crisis across Oklahoma. UCO is looking at a 9.9 percent hike in mandatory fees for students. (Photo provided by Pixabay.) campus. “The budget cuts have forced all of higher education to make

Oklahoma City Megan Prather shows Pride @meganthefeline Reporter

Kieren Crawford holds up a pride flag reading “free hugs + kisses” in front of a group of protestors at the Oklahoma City Pride parade on Sunday, June 26. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista. The 29th annual Oklahoma City Pride Festival took place throughout the city the weekend of the June 24-26 in a three-day celebration of love and equality. The festival included many events from an art festival to a parade, and even a Love is Love group wedding ceremony. “Pride wasn’t born out of a need to celebrate being a part of the LGBT community, but as a movement to push an equal and peaceful existence,” Student Alliance for Equality Personal Relations and

Outreach Executive Mick Kennedy said. The celebration kicked off with an equality concert that featured local artists as well as icons from the LGBT community. There was a block party held on Saturday with vendors, live music and an array of food trucks from the area. The festival came to an end Sunday with the equality run at the Myriad Gardens in the morning and the Pride parade that evening. See Pride on page 4

hard decisions about costs and increased tuition,” Dunn said. “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 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. continued on page 3

UK leaves the European Union EU heads of state and government meet Tuesday and Wednesday in Brussels for the first time since Britain voted to leave the European Union. At front second left is UKIP leader Nigel Farage. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) The United Kingdom left the European Union on June 23 when citizens officially voted on a referendum resulting in the resignation of Britain’s prime minister, global economic effects and reconsiderations from additional countries in the EU on whether or not to stay in. Since the decision, Britain has faced several new developments, both political and economic. The following Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron, who lead the campaign to stay in the EU,

Elisabeth Slay @Eslayslay Reporter

announced he would be leaving his position in October. In a press conference held in London, Cameron said that he felt the country should have a leader that supported the people. “I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination,” Cameron said.

See European Union page 4


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The Vista July 5, 2016 by The Vista - Issuu