Central State University
THURSDAY February 14, 1991
The Student Voice Since 1903
Senate settles program dispute By David LoBaugh Staff Writer
Allies prepare for ground war DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia (AP)—In a foretaste of all-out war, Marine and naval gunners combined their fire with U.S. air strikes Tues day to pound Iraqi tanks and artillery massed in southern Kuwait. Battleready American units shifted 1.ind. maneuvered as they readied for ground war, Reconnaissance had spotted Iraqi artillery, tanks and other armored vehicles concentrating and "hunkered down" in an area of southern Kuwait, Marine Brig. Gen. Richard Neal. a U.S. command spokesman, told reporters. The guns of the battleship Missouri, Marine artillery and warplanes, Saudi artillery and rocket launchers opened fire. A senior U.S, military official said the combined-forces bombardment was the biggest battlefield action yet initiated by the allied forces. Despite the non-stop air raids, Iraq retains its "lethal developed ‘veapolls," the Iraqi Parliament said Tuesday in an apparent reference to chemical and biological weapons. Iraqi deserters con fi rmed that front-line trenches have been filled with oil, to be set ablaze beneath advancing allied troops.
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entral State University's student senate ended a dispute Monday over the purchase of a computer software system which began last semester when the senate voted to accept a $400 proposal from Oasis Technology. The proposal, which passed by a 12 to four margin, provides two software designs and 90 days for free modifications. The first design contains information on SA officers and senators while the second system consists of resident information. "There were a couple of people who spoke against the proposal and mentioned other alternatives but those would not have been available for a long time and we need the systems now," SA President Peter Regan said.
$400 purchase angers some Sen. Deborah Lyne, who also spoke in favor of Oasis, said the software was needed quickly so the SA could use the computer to produce letters faster and more efficiently to lobby the state Legislature concerning a proposed tuition hike. SA Vice President David Slane explained why the new system was necessary for improved lobbying. "The main thing to understand is that we asked Oasis to come in and do an update on the current system. When they did this, we lost the capabilities that we used to have because they took what we had and built on it. Our computers would have been virtually shut down had we not chosen the Oasis proposal," co-author Slane said.
"We don't favor across-the-board cuts because there are some agencies that are doing a good job and just can't be cut," he said. Cullison and Senate Appropriations Chairman Stratton Taylor, who also attended the meeting, said there are difficulties in leaving the budget cuts up to state agencies. One problem is that agency directors tend to cut the most "politically sensitive" programs first, thereby br-
inging pressure to bear for maintaining their current spending levels, Culli son said. V See WORLD WRAP, back page.
"I was very disappointed with the decision of the senate. The actual software purchased was worth less than $100," Williams said. Sen. Chris Lyne pointed out that rushing something through could present many long-term problems and that there was nothing in the contract about training and updating the system, which was offered in the original proposal. The original proposal was rejected by the senate last semester. The major difference was an $800 price-tag. Slane said the system should be in place late this week or early next week. V
Budget increase would upgrade
salaries, benefits By Marie Knupke Student Writer
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Legislators want cuts pinpointed OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. David Walters was asked by legislative leaders Tuesday to give them specifics about where he wants to cut. S40 million out of state agency budgets. "We want him to be more specific about just where he wants the cuts to occur," Senate President Pro Ternpore Bob Cullison said after a meeting with the governor. Cullison said Walters agreed to the request and felt it, will be,"relatively easy" to accomplish the reductions.
Sen. Phil Williams told the senate the system was not worth the money and what they needed would cost about $135. He also said a computer center employee, Gerald Scott, told him there were better systems available.
I got him! Steve Berry, Central State University police officer, cites a parking offender, who tried to avoid the incident Jan. 31 by posting an old ticket on his windshield. (Photo by Andrew Woon)
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TODAY What began as a pagan celebration in the Roman Empire has become a multicustomed holiday, celebrated by people all over the world.
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ersormel salaries and benefits are among the main priorities
established by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for Central State University's 1992 fiscal budget. "More than 80 percent of the new funds will be used to increase personnel salaries and benefits," said Sharon Martin, CSU budget director. Other priorities include research, public service. libraries and student services, Martin said. Students will benefit from reduced class sizes, additional faculty, and an expanded curriculum, Martin said. However, additional funds are required for more class rooms and equipment if those changes are implemented. "That is why the capital improvement bond needs to go handin-hand. If this bond issue passes, CSU will be getting $12.6 million, and part of that will be for classroom buildings," Martin said. "Last year, CSU received an increase of $2.4 million. This year we estimate $3.2 million in additional funds," said Joyce Mounce, administrative vice president. However, Mounce said, $1.5 million will be used for built-in increases such as postage, insurance, promotions and other operational expenses. The state regents are not as optomistic about a funding increase.
T See BUDGET, back page.
TODAY SPORTS Senior forward Marlon Brown led the Broncho hoopsters (19-5) to
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their sixth-straight win Monday, a 93-90 defeat of Texas A&I. CSU plays at home Saturday at 8 p.m.