The Vista Sept. 23, 1999

Page 1

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

TUESDAY

The Student Voice Since 1903

SEPTEMBER 23, 1999

Increasing number of families eligible for scholarship programs By T. Dehan

Staffiriter

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klahoma students in the eighth, ninth, and 10th grade,' whose family incomes are less than $32,000 are now eligible for a new scholarship program. The Oklahoma State Regents are now distributing packets of information for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program(OHLAP) to middle and high schools across the state. OHLAP has helped students since its creation in 1992, through the state

—Photo by Shauna Hardway

Pucker up... ESSAY, page 10

College students charge forward into plastic debt By Nikki Ronowski

CollegePress:Nag

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ollege students across the country have been hit with the credit card

craze. At almost every university across the nation, credit card companies have found the jackpot by setting up sign-up booths. They give away free Tshirts, calling cards, pens and pencils to apply for a card. Over 430 universities across the nation have banned credit tables, said Dennis Meunier, vice president of marketing for

United College Marketing Services. On average, students carry over a $725 balance, Meunier said, and then they end up paying a lot in interest. It is very easy for many card-carrying students to rack up a large bill. "I charge everything from clothes to gas and most of the time I don't evenrealize how much I have charged," said Paige Norris, an ISU sophomore. In addition, sometimes students do not realize how much interest they pay, either. "Students pay on the average 17.25 percent in interest,"

OHLAP scholarship are that a student must: have a family household income of less than $32,000 per year, maintain a 2.5 grade point average, attend class regularly and stay away from drugs and alcohol. "By rewarding students for hard work and diligence, OHLAP helps build good habits necessary for success in college and the workplace," said State Regents Chairman Bill W. Burgess Jr. For more information on OHLAP, visit a high school counselor, call 1-(800)-8581840, or visit their website at WWW.okhighered.org.com . <

Number of endowment chairs to increase CO is hoping to increase the number of endowed chairs within the next five years. An endowment is funds that may be donated to an institution. When money is given to the institution, the board of regents matches whatever is given. However, the process may take up to a year. After the money has been matched, it is then invested. The only part of the money that can

be spent is the interest which can be used in quarters. A person is then selected to hold the position of an endowed chair. Dr. William Morey is the holder of the Barnabus Endowed Chair in Management Information Systems. His research will focus on technology used to build web pages. The speech language pathology department awarded Dr. Roy Rowland the holder of the Inez Miller Endowed Chair for Speech and Hearing.

Rowland, who retired last spring from the UCO Department of Curriculum and Instruction, is the first holder of the chair. Miller donated $250,000 and the state regents matched the contribution. Rowland would like to initiate the "The Inez Miller Conference on Communication Science and Disorder" next spring. He is also working on a workbook for speech-language pathology students. The proceeds will go to UCO's speech and hearing program.

Meunier said. "Crime also comes with debt. When students are in debt they steal things like books and bikes." Also, students sometimes do not expect is that they will be charged for every late bill and that their credit record will be affected. Citibank charges $29 for late fees and the cardholder's interest rate will also rise, said Leeann

Wells, a Citibank staff member. Along with late fees, card companies charge for going over the credit limit. "I was charged $25 for every time I went over my limit," said Gwen Marzano, an ISU student. Although credit cards can be potentially dangerous, there are many ways to manage your money. Credit companies send out booklets about money management with the credit card.

Not only are there brochures but there are several websites where card holders can get helpful tips on managing money. A few sites to check out are www.collegevisa.com , www.CampusB ackB one .com, and www.CreditHealth.com. These sites offer counseling, money management tips, ways to save money, and they can track

By Fachaitte Kinslow

Left: Tyler Woods (Samuel) kisses Emily Dake (Aunt Maisie) perform in 'Tea in a China Cup." Ysee PHOTO

legislature. "Since students first signed up for the program in 1992, thousands of Oklahomans who did not think college was a reality have pursed their educational and career goals through this scholarship program," said Chancellor Hans Brisch. For the past nine years OHLAP has helped nearly 1,900 students from all 77 Oklahoma counties and given away scholarships totalling over 2.3 million dollars, which are provided for by the Oklahoma Legislature. The requirements for the

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♌ See CREDIT CARD, Page 2


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