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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2003
Regents extend deadline for aid by Caroline Duke Copy Editor
Photo by Tina Fowble
Administration is contemplating moving some College of Education offices into the Max Chambers Library.
Library may lose space to offices by Jim Epperson III Senior Writer Library administrators reported recently that the UCO administration is considering building offices in the library for the College of Education in the corning months. Among library employees, rumor has it that the offices will be built on the first floor of the library where the snack bar and study areas are. Rumors also suggest that the entire south side of the third floor will become official offices for the college. Books could be moved to the north side of the library and be
placed in compressed bookshelves. This would mean that no one would be able to browse the shelves for F. Scott Fitzgerald's short stories, Plato's "Allegory of the Cave," Shakespeare's sonnets or books about Monet. Instead, students and faculty would move hundreds of books on light rolling bookshelves to find exactly what they want. Steve Kreidler, UCO vice president of administration and finance, said approximately 70 temporary College of Education offices are in the library right now. These offices would become permanent, he said. Kreidler said the faculty in the
library came from Old North after it was deemed unsafe. He said it is cheaper than renovating Old North. "Our problem is that it is going to cost $4 to $5 million to repair, whereas for a few thousand dollars we can make offices," Kreidler said. Kreidler also said the Oklahoma School for the Deaf would be moved into the library from the annex of the Pre sident's Old House on the east side of campus. "It's not going to take up a lot of the library," Kreidler said. Some students think that since they pay a student library fee, their
study space should not be taken. Ravi Boppana, a graduate in the MBA program, said, "The library is for the library." But Kreidler said the library fee pays for the building, and the building can be used for anything. "We don't always have the same need for square footage because of the digital world," he said. International business junior Mark Hopkins also disagreed with the idea. He studied biology on the third floor where offices would be. "I don't think they should alter the library unless they have to," he said.
Elizabeth Hellwege, a biology senior, said she always studies in the designated study area on the first floor. She likes it now especially because the library just opened the south door, which makes it more accessible. "It is quiet over here and convenient to the computer labs. There are few places to go on campus for studying," Hellwege said. Accounting senior Travis Conklin said putting offices in the library would make it harder for him to study. "There is not enough room right now to study. Students will be closer together and it will be louder," Conklin said.
A six-month extension to apply for financial aid was recently granted to any student affected by the military mobilization that resulted from the Middle East conflicts or the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved the one-time extension to accommodate students ordered to active military duty or reassigned to another station. They will now have until Jan. 15, 2004 to submit applications for the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG), a need-based grant awarded to state residents who attend colleges, universities and career technology centers within the state. Additionally, an exception to the five-consecutive-year limit on the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) scholarship was issued by the State Regents to accommodate students who have been required to leave school to serve in the military at any time as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The length of any qualifying student's OHLAP scholarship will be extended to compensate for time spent away from school in the service of the military. The number of students who qualify for these changes is "relatively small," said Harve Allen, director of Media Relations for
see AID page 3
Local experts react to Bush's `road map' for peace in Israel by Rod Jones Staff Writer The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said Sunday that U.S. forces might be used to fight Hamas, an Islamic militant group, in an effort to put the "road map" to peace in Israel back on track. "Hamas is right in the gun sights," said Senator Richard Lugar on the Fox News Channel.
Hamas has rejected the peace plan and said they will not stop attacks until "all Jews are driven into the sea." The senator said actions by international forces might be necessary to revive the road map, a plan backed by
President Bush at a Mideast summit in Aqaba, Jordan earlier this month. The summit was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Arial Sharon and newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. In a televised address to the Israeli parliament, Sharon said, "Because of our position, the voices against Hamas in the world are increasing, and there are calls to increase pressure on this • murderous group. This is what we have done, and this is what we will continue to do." Dr. Louis Furmanski, chairman of the UCO Political Science Department, said it is doubtful that the political system that exists in Israel can support the plan but, "It is better that something is being done." Edie Roodman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Okla-homa, said the peace plan has potential if the cycle of violence is interrupted long — enough to move it forward. "Israel has the willingness to talk, but is vigilant when going after terrorists," she said. Roodman said Sharon, the former Israeli defense mini s ter and current leader of the rightwing Likud party, has shown amazing restraint.
The road map has three phases and is intended to create an independent Palestinian state by 2005. Phase one calls on both sides to renounce violence. The Palestinians must make an effort to arrest violent militants while Israel dismantles settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Both sides are expected to perform their obligations in parallel. The second phase involves international efforts, as the United Nations, Russia, and the European Union agree on when phase one has been completed so that the Palestinians can draft a constitution. Arab nations would restore relations with Israel back to pre-conflict levels. The last phase would resolve final issues such as determining boundaries and dividing Jerusalem, which is considered a holy city by both parties. More than 60 people have been killed since the road map was introduced June 4. Palestinian militants have launched four suicide attacks, and the Israeli military has responded with seven helicopter strikes into Palestinian territories. Furmanski said the plan will only work if "the Palestinians control their extremists and Israel stops the expansion of settlements." Israel has pulled down 10 settlements since the Aqaba summit. Many settlements consist of one or two empty mobile homes. "If Israel pulls down settle-
see ISRAEL, page 3
Summer construction continues on the South Parking Lot.
Officials refinance bonds to salvage programs by Jim Epperson III Senior Writer For the past two years Stephen Kreidler, UCO vice president for administration and finance, has prepared for budget cuts. He recently announced the administration has found new ways to keep from losing programs due to those cuts. "Sure, we're facing tough economic times in Oklahoma, but we are able to find ways to save money," he said. Kreidler said money was most recently conserved when the university completed work to refinance three major bonds, which will ultimately save the university $9.8 million throughout the next 20 years, or about $500,000 a year, Kreidler said.
"Interest rates are extremely favorable right now. We are able to refinance without extending the term of the bonds and still have a lot of money. This is pure interest rate savings," He said. Two of the three bonds were issued for a 30-year term in 1993, the other for 25 years: one to build an addition to the library, one to expand the Nigh University center and improve campus parking, and a third for general capitol improvements, Kreidler said. All three were refinanced to the end of "their original terms. "We will be able to plow the savings back into the general fund, for library improvements and for continued improvements to the University Center and much needed parking."
By refinancing the bonds, Kreidler said UCO would save
see BUDGET page 3
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