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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2002
Students voice concerns about budget outlook by Mark Schlachtenhaufen ms@thevistaonline.corn Given the gloomy forecast for revenue collections in Oklahoma, the State Legislature should intervene and bolster funding for state universities and colleges, said J.P. Jordan, UCOSA president. " think it's going to take the Legislature to realize that [UCO] is a great university and what is being done here is that lives are
being changed, futures shaped and that productive members of society are being made," Jordan said. The State Regents for Higher Education have told UCO to cut $1.9 million from its budget. Additional cuts in the regents' budget will likely be forthcoming, meaning in the coming months, UCO and ocher universities and colleges will face more cuts, officials have said. Oklahoma's three largest universities
have been funded inequitably, Jordan said. The most recent cut only makes matters worse, he said. "Personally, I think it's ridiculous because we are the third largest four-year university in the state and last I checked were the second-poorest funded per student," Jordan said. "We're not being singled out, we're being overlooked." All 25 state universities and colleges will
be adversely affected. The University of Oklahoma's Norman campus must cut $5.5 million and the OU Health Science's Center, $3.6 million. Oklahoma State University's Stillwater campus must trim $5 million from its budget. UCO officials have said there are no immediate plans to lay off faculty or staff and it's too soon to determine what will
see Budget Cuts page 4
UCO Envoys merges with World Within
Old traditions, new topics
by Stephanie Nease sn@thevistaonline.com
Photo by Rebecca Martin Freshman psychology major, Lindsey Shook practices her speech for a speech and debate tournament last weekend. On Oct. 8 the UCO Debate Team will debate the pros and cons of the potential conflict with Iraq.
Students to debate current issues by Kristen Armstrong ka@thevistaonline.com On Oct. 8, four UCO freshman debaters will participate in the first of a public debate series co-sponsored by the UCO Debate Team, the Communication Department and the Political Science Department. Hanan Shahid, Drew Lawson, Justin Schuffert, and Lindsey Shook will debate the pros and cons of America's potential conflict with Iraq, said Jason Stone, UCO director of debate. "This debate is important because the issue has consequences that we as a generation have not had to deal with," said Schuffert, communication education freshman. Stone said the public debate forum will allow students the chance to discuss current events. "t's a timely debate because the issue will impact college students more than they realize. It is something they should be aware of and gather more information about to form an educated opinion," he said. Stone said the arguments are fresh because the issue is fluid. "There is a possibility for serious miscalculation in our foreign policy, and it is something that the American public needs to be aware of," Stone said.
Lindsey Shook, psychology freshman said, "t is important for people to be educated on this topic." "People need information to make an informed opinion. The consequences are more serious than how they are played out on the nightly news," she said. Stone said the second debate will take place Nov. 18 and will deal with the encroachment on civil liberties by the Homeland Security Act. The third debate will be in April during the Liberal Arts Symposium. It will cover multilateral versus unilateral foreign policy, said Stone. Stone said this series is important to the university because of its long history of open and academic debate at UCO. "Public debate is one of the oldest traditions at UCO. The first private debating society was founded in 1898," Stone said. "The parking lot, to class, to parking lot phenomenon we have at UCO detracts from the academic culture," he said. Those who attend the hour-long debate will have the opportunity to ask questions or give feedback on the issues at hand, Stone said. "We hope this will foster more debate and discussion about current events everywhere on campus."
ml@thevistaonline,com High school students flooded Hamilton Field House Sept. 20 for Oklahoma City's Gear Up program. As part of a $14.5 million federal grant, Gear Up drew in 1,400 I 1 th and 12th graders and encouraged them to plan ahead for higher education. Educators and athletes presented to students, and afterward representatives of each of UCO's colleges were on hand to talk with curious students. Students could walk around different colleges
displayed the kind of jobs graduates from their departments have access. Kelvin Sampson, University of Oklahoma men's basketball coach, delivered a speech about a student he recruited from Mexico whose dream was to go to college and play for the NBA. In the story, Sampson illustrated the value of persistence by describing Eduardo Najera, and his overcoming of the language gap. Eduardo took the ACT in English nine times before finally passing and being accepted into OU.
The student-run UCO Envoys group is now part of UCO World Within, and the first meeting is 6 p.m. today in the Heritage Room on the third floor of Nigh University Center. Jarrett Jobe, Campus Life's director of Greek life, said the World Within program is his responsibility now, and he plans to work closely with the International Students' office. Dr. Bill Wiseman, director of University Relations and originator of the idea behind UCO's World Within program, said he is happy with the decision to transfer the program to Campus Life. " came up with the idea, but hundreds and hundreds of people worked on it. It's taken on a life of its own. I'm very pleased to see it take the direction it's going," he said. Wiseman developed the concept after Sept. 11, 2001 as a way to mend the United States' relations with the rest of the world by developing personal friendships between Americans and international students at UCO and in the Edmond community. "t started in response to a tragedy, and now it's moving on to take advantage of this wonderful resource of international perspective," he said. The "nternational perspective" Wiseman referred to is UCO's international student population. At UCO, 13 per-
"More people have failed their way into success than fallen their way into success," Sampson said to the audience of high school students, but it is how you handle that favor that determines whether or not you will succeed. Gear up is part a five-year grant, which Oklahoma City Schools with $2.9 million per year to hire teachers, maintain classrooms, and develop their staff and technology. The Oklahoma City public school system has about 5,500
see Gear Up page 3
cent of students enrolled are from other nations, more than any other university in Oklahoma. Derek England, junior finance major and Envoy volunteer, said UCO Envoys sponsored activities like scavenger hunts, volleyball games, soccer games, and a trip to a hockey game, to encourage interaction between the various cultures. England, along with his girlfriend, Robin Hoffman, junior nursing major, also volunteered for World Within. "The initial World Within program was incredible," England said. "All the participants came in and we got divided into 'family groups.' We ate and the Governor spoke, and the nations flags were marched around," he said. Volunteers from the Edmond community "adopted" UCO students from various lands and fed them in their homes, he said. Hoffman said the merger is a good idea, as it brings all the efforts together, making the program stronger. "We definitely will be in the volunteer group," England said, nodding toward his girlfriend. " hope that as many people as possible participate in the activities," he said. Jobe said the Sept. 24 meeting is open to all UCO students, staff, and faculty. For more information, call 974-2580.
Jazz Lab hopes to entice students with Thursday night special. — Page 5
Pig races or marriage — take your pick at this year's Oklahoma State Fair. — Page 7
Resumes and handshakes; job fair hosts over 50 companies by Fawn Porter fp@thevistaonline.com
Program 'gears up' students toward higher education by Michael Larson
Bronchos take West Texas A&M for their first win of the season. — Page 8
Career Services will be hosting its fall career fair from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Oct. 2, in the Nigh University Center Ballroom on the third floor. Art Tyndall, director of career services, said he expects over 50 companies to participate in the fair. "The career fair is a great opportunity for employers to reach out to students. Not only with current jobs, but also to help identify future careers within the organization," Tyndall said. This year's participants include companies such as Disney, American Express, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Sprint PCS, Edward Jones, Integris Health and more. Jackie Durant, recruitment coordinator, said the partici-
pants represent a good, quality selection and are leaders in their field. "The companies are from different areas and have a little bit of everything." Durant said the career fair brings all the companies to campus and students are able to meet with them in one place. Tyndall said there are a number of "do's and don'ts" for the career fair. Some do's are having a proofread resume, take time to research the companies, make a good first impression and take notes about the contacts made. Don'ts include blowing past the booth, dressing too casual, showing up right before the fair ends or just winging it. "f you've worked the fair correctly, you should walk away with a better understanding of your career options."
UCO volleyball breaks school record after the three-game win over Southeastern Oklahoma. — Page 9