Friday, April 28, 2006
NEWS 15TH STREET
6420 SE 15th Street, Midwest City, OK 73110
Rose State College
Vol. XXXV Issue 29
Low numbers of majors, grads force alterations despite ‘Narnia’ popularity Andrew Knittle News Editor
The March 23 regents meeting that ended the basketball program at RSC also heard recommendations to make cutbacks in the struggling Theatre department, said Ric Baser, vice president for Academic Affairs. Baser - who trained for a career in the performing arts before working in his current capacity - said the decision to scale things back in the Theatre department did not come “out of the blue.” In fact, the program failed to meet the minimum performance standards of five graduates and 25 majors as far back as 2000. “At that point, when they failed to meet the criteria, I had a meeting with the department to see about making improvements to the program,” Baser said. Although many attempts were made to bolster the struggling department, including nearly $50,000 in renovations to the H.B. Atkinson Theatre, Baser said that little or no progress has been made toward retaining the adequate amount of graduates and majors. In his recommendation to the regents, Baser spelled out the ultimate problem facing the department. “It is apparent that professional actors do not necessarily need a degree, be it an [associate degree] or a [bachelor’s degree], to work in their chosen profession,” Baser said. “We are finding, therefore, that often students who do register as theater majors, take a semester or two of theater classes, but then find work in the professional arena. They do not complete the degree.” According to Baser’s recommendation, changes to the department will include the elimination of one of the two full-time professor positions at the
Photo by STACEY McENTIRE
Theatre department to see cutbacks
The Theatre department faces cutbacks, including the elimination of one of the student performances in the H.B. Atkinson Theatre following the end of the 2006-2007 academic year. The cutbacks are the result of a decrease in the number of students enrolled in the theatre degree program which caused the department to fail to meet the pre-set, minimum enrollee and graduate requirements.
conclusion of the current semester and suspension of the theatre degree program, which will become effective after the spring 2007 semester. And despite the resounding success of this year’s production of “Narnia,” the Theater program will now put on only one play per semester, instead of the usual two.
In addition, Baser said RSC will focus on developing a community theater program in order to get the most out of the college’s resources and “to serve our communities with opportunities to be exposed to or participate in theatrical productions.” The program’s technical director Martin Steger, who directed “Narnia,” will keep his job, although
unspecified changes will be made in regard to his official title and job responsibilities. And while the cuts to program are broad and comprehensive, further action could be taken following the 2006-2007 school year when the regents once again evaluate the department. aknittle@rose.edu
Photo provided
Poetry class shares work, talent Shannon Hoverson Assignment Editor
Country Lawyer Lectureship to feature Kauger Shannon Hoverson Assignment Editor
Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger will be the featured speaker at the 5th Annual “Country Lawyer” Lectureship to celebrate National Law Day at 11 a.m., May 1 in the Tom Steed Center. James F. Howell established the “Country Lawyer” Lectureship to provide funds for speakers and lecturers in the areas of law, criminal justice and social science. Howell is a Midwest City attorney and is a former senator of the Oklahoma Legislature, as well as an RSC Regent. The first featured speakers of the lectureship were Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Marion Opala and Andy Coats, a dean at the University of Oklahoma Law School. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the paralegal program at RSC. Governor George Nigh appointed Kauger to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1984. Kauger served as the chief justice
see KAUGER, Page 2
Professor Karen Holt’s poetry class was invited to read at the Benedict Street Marketplace in Shawnee, Okla. April 20. The host of the event, Jim Spurr, told the audience that there was a special group of people reading, calling them the “Rose State Readers.” “Everyone who is reading tonight is reading for the very first time,” Holt said as she introduced her students. The students who attended the reading were Bethany Blue, Leilani Thompson, Jeff Robertson, Erin Waltman, Emma Beverage, Megan Autaubo, LaTasha McKinney and Terry Turner. First to read was Blue, who shared several of her poems including “Letting the Weights Fall Off” and “Can’t Go Now” with the attentive listeners. Blue was the only Shawnee native in the class. “I was really nervous, but as soon as I [read] my first poem, I relaxed and I really enjoyed it,” Blue said. Then, Thompson read and impressed the crowd with her poetry. Robertson’s poems, “Rope,” “Body Wide” and “I Hate Them in Their Fruity Abundance,” made an impression on the audience as his strong voice filled the small café. Waltman made the audience laugh with her poem, “Morning During a Puppy’s Potty Break.” Beverage read several moving poems and ended with one entitled “Birthing, Living and Dying Alone.”
Photo by SHANNON HOVERSON
Shawnee event showcases ‘Rose State Readers’
Karen Holt’s poetry class shares their creative endeavors with the usual crowd during a reading at the Benedict Street Marketplace in Shawnee. The Marketplace offered attendees cafe-style food and a relaxed atmosphere.The readings take place every third Thursday of each month and are open to anyone who wants to attend.
Autaubo went up in front of the crowd and gave the audience her dry and sardonic poetry. McKinney read her poetry in a clear voice. Last to read was Turner with his expressive poetry about life and love. He finished with the poem “What a Difference a Year Makes.” After the RSC students had fin-
ished reading, there was an open mic for anybody who wished to read their own poetry or poems by other authors. People who attended had the opportunity to enjoy the specialty sandwiches of the Marketplace, hot coffee and fresh-baked artesian bread. They were also offered a variety of desserts and fresh fruit
smoothies. The Benedict Street Marketplace, located at 613 N. Pottenger Ave. in Shawnee, has a poetry reading every third Thursday of the month and anyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call the Marketplace at 273-2001. shoverson@rose.edu
Student creations displayed in Visual Arts.
Who won Rose State Idol?
What’s in store for your future?
See standalone, Page 2.
See story, Page 4.
See horoscopes, Page 6.