THE May 5, 1988 Vol. 86, No. 54
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
ECU controversy raises concerns
Campus leaders say process has problem By Julie Gillen
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Amanda Smith tries on her cap and gown, in preparation for the graduation ceremony on May 13. (photo by Daniel Smith)
Student Writer Some campus leaders said this week they think guidelines for selecting future college presidents may be flawed following the recent controversy at East Central University. William Hodges, Central State University graduate and superintendent of Stillwater Public Schools, was selected in April as the next president of ECU by the Board of Regents for Oklahoma Colleges. But Hodges was not one of the
Records search prompts ruling By Kevin Hunter J. Money
An effort to test Oklahoma's Open Records law at Central State University in April met with delays and confusion, finally prompting a CSU official to seek an informal ruling from the state attorney general's office. After publishing a letter to the editor April 7 that suggested the Oklahoma Open Records Act gives the public too free access to information which may be damaging, The Vista sent a reporter to administration officials to check information concerning the University Contingency Fund of the Student Activity Fees Budget. The reporter sought records of collection and expenditure of the
$14,000 account funded by student activity fees, which is open for public inspection, according to the law. But it took more than three weeks for the reporter to finally meet with a representative who was willing to release the information. Blanche Washington, assistant director of CSU's University Personnel Services, released the information after checking with the attorney general's office. According to the Oklahoma Open Records Act as amended July 1, 1987, every public body and public official has a specific duty to keep and maintain complete records of receipt and expenditure of any public funds reflecting all financial and business transac-
tions relating thereto, except that such records may be disposed of as provided by law. The law also states that all records of public bodies and public officials shall be open to any person for inspection, copying, and/or mechanical reproduction during regular business hours. In addition, the law states a person should be available at all times to release the records during regular business hours to the public. Joyce Mounce, vice president for administration, said at least part of the reporter's difficulty in finding the information stemmed from a missed appointment between the two. Please see Records on page 3
Two vehicles added to theft total By Krista Townsend
Student Writer Oklahoma Christian College (OCC) has adopted a continual surveillance program by its police to curb its campus crime wave, while Central State University has not yet been able to establish a crime pattern to utilize the method. Meanwhile, students and faculty lost two more vehicles to thefts April 26 when a a 1987 Chevrolet Pick-up and a 1986 Yamaha motorcycle were stolen from campus. The pick-up, worth $11,500, was stolen sometime between 7 and 9 p.m. south of Howell Hall. Central State University Police Chief Bob Roberts said broken glass was found on the ground where the truck was parked. "So," he said, "we believe a window was broken out." The motorcycle, worth $1,634, was taken about noon east of the
University Center. The two recent thefts bring the total number of vehicles stolen this year at CSU to five. Of these five, three have been recovered. Roberts said the most common method used by theives is a "slim jim," a thin metal strip slid between the window and door. Roberts said there are no suspects and no apparent pattern of thefts. Because of that, he said he is having doubts about recovery of the last two vehicles. "If a vehicle is going to be recovered, it will usually occur within two days," says Roberts. "Also, if the vehicles have gone through a chop shop, chances of recovery are very slim." CSU's theft problems pale in comparison to Oklahoma Christian College's. Since January, 25 vehicles have been stolen from parking lots on their campus. Of the 25, 23 have been recovered.
OCC Police Chief Paul Westerman said their force adopted a policy of continual surveillance to attack their theft problems and added that it seems to be working. "Our theft rate has been reduced 100 percent," Westerman said. Westerman said the school put up a fence around the dormitories and used a three man team to survey the campus at night. Chief Roberts said continual surveillance at CSU can't be used because there has been no definite pattern detected. "Without a definite established pattern, it would be a waste of time to have men cover a specific area," Roberts said. But he added that the police are keeping their eyes open for any potential car thieves. "Any suspicious person will be questioned by campus security and asked for some identification," said Roberts.
eight finalists recommended to the regents by ECU's campus advisory committee. He later declined to take the position when opposition was voiced by faculty members and the Ada Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the campus advisory screening committee is to recommend applicants to fill positions such as president. The committee at CSU is normally composed of one student selected by the president, one faculty member from each of the five colleges and dean of students. Jeff Shilling, CSU student association member, recently served on such a committee and said he is very upset by the ECU incident. "I think that it is sad that one would use a screening committee for the selection process and then blatantly go against their decision," he said. Shilling also said that the committee puts in several days of hard work in screening applicants.
"After this last conflict, it may be a waste of time if the Board of Regents for Oklahoma Colleges has their way," Shilling said. "I don't have a problem with our regents hiring who they want, but I don't think they should waste other peoples time if they already have someone in mind for the position," he said. Dr. Fred Grosz, CSU chemistry professor and president of the Faculty Senate, said that it is quite possible that a situation such as this could happen at CSU. Grosz said that faculty members are very concerned with the selection process because they want to see quality people in these positions. "The Board needs to either accept the names recommended by the faculty members or start the process all over again," he said. Oklahoma Board of Regents President, Linda Grantham, was in conference at press time and could not be reached for comment.
Counseling may avert CSU suicide attempts By Scott Wheeler
Student Writer Central State University has experienced five suicide attempts this academic year, which is about average, according to Lt. Doris Dunn of the Central State University Police Department. The Central State University Counseling Center offers counseling to students who attempt suicide, according to counselor Peggy Foster. This year approximately 100 college-age people will commit suicide because of personal or academic pressures, according to Dr. Jannette Wallis of the Oklahoma Youth Suicide Prevent Task Force. "It's usually a combination of circumstances surrounding school and alcohol and/or drug abuse that trigger suicide attempts at CSU," Dunn said. "Often times," she continued, "the potential victims are away from their home for the first time and unable to talk with friends or family they grew up with. "It's especially difficult for foreign students whose families are overseas," Dunn said. In an article appearing in
"The Oklahoma Educator" April/May edition Wallis examined the reasons people attempt suicide. Stress is often a primary cause of depression and anxiety that trigger an attempt. Studies indicate that suicide attempts increase at mid-term and at finals when scholastic pressures are at their greatest. Wallis indicated that a solution is difficult to devise but counseling is an effective way of helping a potential victim deal with their problems. Wallis listed some signs in her article that indicate a potential suicide. They are: • Serious depression and/or crying a lot. • Increased isolation from family, friends and social activities. • Giving away prized possesions. • Making statements about wanting to die or actually threatening to commit suicide. • Violent actions or angry outbursts. • Taking unnecessary risks. • Acting strangely or having mood swings. • Abusing drugs or alcohol. • Neglecting personal appearance.
