.84,No. 98„..E er,,,,H obT Oct
16
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Drop deadline forces earlier decisions By Curtis Killman Editor Despite protest from the president of the Student Senate, students will have until Friday to decide whether to they want to withdraw from a class and receive a "W" on their transcript. Previously a student could wait until the last day of the classes and still be able to withdraw. The new drop deadline is a result of a faculty request for students to make an earlier commitment to completing a course. So, during the spring 1985 semester the Faculty Senate voted 18-4 in favor of changing the drop deadline. Dr. James Perry, vice president of academic affairs, accepted the recommendation, implemented and publicized the policy change. "One of the primary reasons I'm opposed to it," said John Buttry, Student Association president, "is because it's placing all the burden on the student in that we have to withdraw by a certain date. Yet faculty members are not required to give us some sort of verification or any type test by that date so we can see how we're doing. "I think that is grossly unfair." Perry said he was indifferent to the policy change, adding that he just followed through with the faculty representative's request. In accessing the policy change though, Perry was positive.
"Every indication I have is that things are going smoothly," said Perry. "I have had limited feedback from students, that limited feedback has been an expression of thanks for the half-page ads that have appeared in the Vista announcing it. "I think their (the faculty's) position was that students should
take responsibility for their enrollment and their progress toward a degree and any student who opted to drop a class at the last moment was in fact disallowing that responsibility. Buttry, in an interview, drew from a personal experience to illustrate his reason for protest.
"I remember last semester I didn't even have two of my tests until the thirteenth week of school," said Buttry, who added that if he had been under the present system he would have had to make a decision to drop three weeks prior to receiving any grades in the class. "I don't know if I'm going to try to change it back to the last day of classes," Buttry continued, "but I will push for either giving the student more time, like either the twelth or thirteenth week, or somehow require faculty members to give some sort of evaluation by the mid-semester." "That issue might have been the most beneficial point that has come out of the entire change," said Perry in response to the prospect of student fears of not enough evaluation by the tenth week of a semester. "The Faculty Senate, specifically President Beasley, has mentioned the fact that now that the drop date has been moved forward, the Faculty Senate must assume greater responsibility to do whatever it can do to assure the students are adequately evaluated prior to the drop date and that their evaluation is communicated back to them so that they have the proper base of information to make a decision to drop or stay in a course. "I'm surprised anytime I hear of a situation where the professor is giving one exam to the students or has made little to no effort to communicate to the students their standing in the class.
Big-city birds: Eviction procedures fail to remove these CSU residents By Curtis Killman Editor Hypothetical ad in paper — Pigeons, allyou want, free to good or (bad home). Contact the CSU maintenance department or home economics department for details.
The first thing noticed when walking into the home economics building on a wet and rainy day is the strange odor. The permeating smell can be traced to perhaps the oldest residents on campus — pigeons. Pigeons, usually associated as a big city problem, have made it quite well in some buildings here on campus. But, the birds are about the only ones who are happy. "When it rains a lot is when it bothers me the most," said Lenorah Polk, assistant professor home economics. "Last week when we had that warm weather it got pretty bad," Polk added. "I have thought that this fall the odor was worse, but remember we've had a wetter than usual fall. That may have been
what contributed to the fact that I thought the odor was so bad." "I've gone through the proper channels," said Dr. Virginia Lamb, chairperson home economics, "but I haven't gotten any results as of yet. "I'm sure that there is some lice up there (on the roof). I do request periodically for the maintenace to clean out the debris from them. I'm certain that it isn't very healthy." But, other than cleaning up after the birds, the maintenance department hasn't had much luck in getting rid of them. Nimrod Chapel, director of the physical plant, said they have tried several ways to eradicate the pigeons — all to no avail. "Rubber snakes (placed near the nests) will scare them away for about one season and then they will get adapted to them," said Chapel. "We'll try this ultra/sonic sound that someone made to sell. When I say they made it to sell I'm being little bit facecious,because it doesn't really work.
In this issue. .
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Regents approve requests...page 3 Profs garner awards...page 3 Instructor's efforts recognized...page 6 Harriers eye district title..page 7 Broncho fullback fills void...page 8
"We've tried screen wire to keep them away from where they've started nesting. It is a problem, it's kind of an on-going problem." Chapel said they are limited when it comes to their available options to eradicating the pigeons. He said that they must be sure that the animals are removed by humane methods. "You can really get into problems if there is any type of cruelty," said Chapel, "so it's something that you just have to keep fighting. "About 10 years ago they were shooting them. I don't know who was shooting them, they were just getting shot." Chapel said associations dedicated to the prevention of cruelty of animals spoke out against the shootings and the shootings stopped. The spring and fall seasons are the worst time of year according to Chapel for pigeon infestation. "If there are any more suggestions we'll take them," Chapel said laughing. "If anybody wants to take one home for a pet, or two or three, they are welcome to it."
Vista photo by Don 1:1•6
Home economics building is home for this contented pigeon. But, neighbors (faculty and students) would like to see that change.
Political science author to speak Dr. Paul Boller, Jr. will speak 10:40 a.m., Friday in the Liberal Arts auditorium according to Dr. John George, political science professor. Boller has published several books and articles on American politics, according to George. His
latest three books have been Presidential Anecdotes, A More Perfect Union and Presidential Campaigns. The latter two books may be purchased in the University Center Bookstore. Boller tours frequently and was interviewed on the Today Show in
1981 and 1984 and is now working on a book on presidential wives for Oxford. George, who is working on a book that will compile famous misquotes, said he may collaborate with Boller to co-author the book.