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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2003
Webb writes paper on security issues international terrorists. The paper, titled "Our College Campuses Are Vulnerable to Terrorism," was written after President Webb attended a conference in December 2002 in Washington D.C. He said Sept. 11 and the conference inspired him to write it. President Webb said the intent behind the paper was not to frighten people, but to point out vulnerabilities on college
•UCO president urges peers to ensure security in - places vulnerable to attack. by Mark Schlachtenhaufen ms@thevistaonline.com UCO President Roger Webb has authored a paper in which he urges other college and university presidents to increase efforts to safeguard campuses against possible attacks by domestic and
campuses and to help increase the level of awareness on them. By being more aware, members of the UCO community can play an active role in homeland security, he said. "All of us as citizens and free people have a responsibility — be aware and do your part, President Webb said. "Don't just assume that everything's all right, because the cost of being oblivious can be very great." If there is unusual activity, "
objects or people who should not be in a certain area, individuals should report what they have seen to the appropriate authorities, Webb said. UCO isn't being singled out as a target by domestic or international terrorists, President Webb said. "I don't know that our campus is any more or less 'attractive' than any other campus," he
see Webb page 4
Oklahoma Christian held UCO scoreless taking 8-0 and 7-0 March 8. Roger Webb
Lottery bill faces long odds by Mark Schlachtenhaufen ms@thevistaonline.corn Governor Henry spent the weekend trying to change a few minds of state representatives after the House nearly killed the Lottery for Education Act last week. The bill remained alive on a motion to reconsider by its author, Rep. Ron Kirby, DLawton. The action meant Kirby had until March 10 to bring the measure up for another vote in the House or let it die in committee. Despite the setback, Gov. Henry was optimistic about his ability to change enough minds before the deadline, said Paul Sund, Henry's communications director. Sund said Henry was concentrating his efforts on those representatives that voted against the lottery act. On March 5, members of the House voted 52-49 against the measure that would let Gov. Henry set an election date sometime this summer. ,
"The key is getting to the House of Representatives members and changing their minds," Sund said. Oklahomans would also be asking their representatives to support the measure, Sund said. He cited a recent poll that showed more than 73 percent would vote in favor of a lottery. In another, more than 90 percent want to have an opportunity to vote on the issue. Proceeds from the lottery would go to education — half to public education, half to higher education. Based on studies of states with lotteries, Gov. Henry estimates it would generate $300 million annually. State Rep. Forrest Claunch, R-Midwest City, voted against the Lottery for Education Act. Claunch, a vocal opponent of the lottery, recently debated Gov. Henry on the issue. Claunch said many details of the bill are not widely known. _
Photo by Justin Avera
KWTV-9 anchor Kelly Ogle moderated a discussion with a panel of UCO professors at the public forum on Iraq March 6.
Panel fields questions on Iraq by Jim Epperson III je@thevistaonline.com UCO experts answered questions about United States and Middle East relations in a public forum March 6. The panelists were Dr. Louis Furmanski, chair of .
see Lottery page 10
political science; Dr. Terry Clark, chair of journalism; Dr Don Betz, vice president of academic affairs; Dr. Husam Mohamad, assistant professor of political science; Dr. Riaz Ahmad, biology professor; and Dr. Fakhrildeen Albahadily,
chemistry professor. Clark said people at the forum were seeking a political justification for a war against Iraq. Iraq has not had an outright case of aggression to justi-
see Forum page 3
For the first time in five years, Central Oklahoma men's basketball will compete in the NCAA Division II national tournament after receiving a wild card bid March 10. - Page 8
"Everybody does have a story. It may not be what you need or something you want to publish, but everybody has something interesting about them." Philip Castle
AAUP survey scrutinizes administration by Caroline Duke cd@thevistaonline.com
Photos by Heather Harkins
Philip Castle lectures in the journalism ethics class March 5.
Aussie tells tale with many twists and turns by Kristen Armstrong ka@thevistaonline.com
E
verybody has a story. The story of a life lived, perhaps a love lost, and history made or undone. The stories to follow arc ones of random people, who just happen to have something interesting to say.
To look at him, you would never think he is Australian. The bloke looks pretty typical. He has a weatherbeaten face - each line a testament to places he saw, people he loved and stories he told. It tells of harsh winters, hot summers – from tropical paradise to big city brash. His eyes hold. the sparkle of youth, laughingly blue – always holding the hint of a joke. His smile is the same – easy to come and stay. He has traded a full head of hair for a full, salt-and-pepper red beard. His name is Philip Castle, and his story is one of many parts. Castle has lived the story of a lifetime. He has been a journalist, a police officer, a government official, a husband and father. As with most in his generation, the Vietnam conflict was, and is, intensely personal. From 1969 to 1971, he served in the Australian Embassy in Saigon. Though not a regular solider, he said, "It was a sad war, most are. I saw a lot of body bags." Apparently, his duties during the assignment were somewhat covert. He will slyly admit they "had
something to do with spies." "But that's another story, for another time," he said, conspiratorially. His Vietnam experience and an extensive study of history shaped his ideas on war. They are a contrast to today's gung-ho, go-get-'em attitude. "I don't think we understand. It's [war] something that ought to be taken seriously. There are scars for generations," he said with serious passion. Though not a pacifist by any means, he calls himself a "reluctant war supporter." He argues that politicians should consider the costs of war before charging into battle. "There is nothing pleasant or endearing about mayhem." Though Vietnam was a sobering time, he quickly remembers the bright spots. "It was a terrible time, but a happy time. I got my head sorted out – started my Christian faith; and got my love life sorted out – I got married." His then-future wife Carole, also worked in the Foreign Affairs Office in Saigon. That's where they met. And he offers this bit of advice to those thinking of love: "It's not smart to take a girl out from your workplace. I did it once and I got married." He laughed at his joke, perhaps slightly hesitant that Carole will
see Castle page 6
UCO administration was evaluated by fulltime faculty in the annual administrators' assessment questionnaire conducted by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). The results from the 120 valid surveys returned to AAUP-UCO Feb. 14 provide insight to those faculty member's opinions on the university's administrative officials. Some faculty and administrative officials doubted the validity of the survey since only 34 percent were returned. Dr. Thomas Guild, AAUP-UCO chapter president and chair of the committee, said, statistically, 34 percent is a high return. The AAUP states that their main purpose is "to advance academic freedom." The survey probes the faculty's opinions on administrative officials and college deans, asking them to answer whether they agree, disagree, or hold no opinion in regard to different administrative issues. "[The purpose] is to give the faculty a chance to see, to access, and to evaluate the performance of administrators," Guild said. The survey also gives administrators the chance to see how the faculty perceives their strengths and weaknesses. Compared to last year's results, the faculty responded to "President Webb is an effective leader" slightly less than positively, although nearly 45 percent agreed that he exhibits professional integrity. Those who held no opinion and who disagreed on Webb's leadership weighed evenly. Most agreed the president is concerned with academic excellence, although the figure was slightly less than last year. For the second consecutive year, most respondents were not satisfied with President Webb's disclosure of budget and administration costs and a towering majority agreed that additional administration changes are necessary.
see AAUP Survey page 5
The UCO women's basketball fell 78 -69 to West Texas A&M, ending their season in the first round of the LSC tournament. -Page 9
No. 12 UCO baseball completed a successful three-day run with five wins. - Page 8