'Athletes party' ...page 3
Grapes of Wrath ...page 4
Cross country ...page 7
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THE
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November 5, 1987 Vol. 86, No. 18
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Education secretary Holt addresses CSU senators By Elaine Coleman Student Reporter Oklahoma Secretary of Education Smith Holt addressed the Student Association Senate, Nov. 2, on the problems of funding higher education in Oklahoma. Holt reported that in February the state of Oklahoma was looking at a $325 million deficit and expecting to cut higher education by $60 million. However, he continued, by July, the picture had improved greatly. "The hardest-hit agency is now the best treated," he said. "We now recognize that higher education is probably the single most important economic entity that we have in the state of Oklahoma and we are going to begin to fund it." Holt went on to explain that the current issue is how to fund higher education, whether it be by increased tuition or by state funding. "The primary issue now is to try to get the system to where it is funded at a level equal to the average system, the nation over," said Holt. "Now that Oklahoma has institutions of higher education located throughout the state," Holt added, "it needs to focus on the quality of education a student
receives at each institution. "We need to make sure that no matter which institution you attend, the quality of that degree is the same as at some other institution," he said. Holt also noted the need to ensure that college credits will transfer and be considered equal from one state institution to another. In return for the added state funding, Holt added, better performance and more output from students will probably be expected. Student Association senator Lee Allen noted that while CSU is the third largest university in Oklahoma it is not included in the Department of Education's yearly planning report. "Is there something we can do, as a student body, to make the state aware that CSU exists?" Allen asked. Holt answered by pointing out that CSU is the only four year urban university in the state, and therefore is unique. "It's up to you to make a case for your uniqueness," he said. "With a clear mission in mind, you can sell your institution to students." Holt also suggested that each
Oak Tree club picked as December grad site By J. Money Deborah Moseley, co-organizer of an unofficial ceremony for individuals graduating in December, has announced the ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., Dec. 17, at the Oak Tree Country Club. Moseley said persons interested in participating in the ceremony should mail information sheets to co-organizer Kerri Moon, 8700 Acre View Dr., Oklahoma City, 73151. Information sheets should include: name, phone number, address, college graduating from, head measurement, height, and the number of planned guests. "It is important for persons interested in participating to mail an information sheet so arrangements for caps and gowns can be made," said Moseley. Moseley added she hopes to secure a nationally known speaker for the ceremony. Moseley said persons wanting more information about the ceremony should call 771-5326. According to Moon, costs for people planning to participate in the ceremony will be approximately $25. The money will be used for the costs of caps and gowns and the country club. She added, however, costs could vary, depending upon the amount of graduates taking part in the unofficial ceremony. Moon also added that participants could bring as many guests as they like to the ceremony.
student make his wishes known to the regents as a means of getting involved in the academic process. "Your input on evaluations is important," Holt said. "You have to let them know you want a higher quality of education, and that once you get out, as tax payers you'll be willing to help bare the burden of providing high quality education." Holt concluded by commenting on the issue of a tuition increase for state universities. "There will not be a tuition increase without at least an equal amount being matched by the state," he said. "I know it will be there — the governor has committed to it." In other business, Ronald Roper was approved by senate consent for the position of parliamentarian. Four others were also approved by consent as committee chairpersons. They are: Terry LeFrance, publicity chairman; Bridget Hollowell-Chism, commuter affairs chairwoman; Ronald Roper, student-faculty relations chairman; and Joacquin Stevens, student activities chairman.
Photo by Kevin Hunter
Buddy Broncho entertains a young fan at CSU's Homecoming game Saturday.
Enrollment begins Nov. 10 By J. Money Today and Friday graduate students and students who plan to graduate may enroll. Nov. 10, enrollment will open for all students. Lisa Free, employee of the Advisement office, said the enrollment center is open until 7:30 p.m. Mondays, and until 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Free suggested students should
fill out enrollment sheets before going in to see advisors. "That reduces the amount of time it takes to enroll," she said. "If a student just goes in to see an advisor, they then have to fill out an enrollment form, and wait to see an advisor again," she explained. Free also suggested students should take notice of important dates in the front of the schedule.
Forum attended by 250 By Monica Kremeier Student writer Forum III: "The Right to Know Vs. The Need to Know," sponsored by New Plains Review, drew such a large audience that some were forced to sit on the floor. Forum III examined censorship and the many forms of its disguise. It also discussed current issues such as the rights of citizens to be informed by the government about international situations, and the rights of adults to reach their own decisions as to what they consider obscene or pornographic material. Guest speakers were: Karen Morris, instruction librarian, 0.S.U.; Renee Ross, public service librarian, Oklahoma County Metropolitan Library System; Duane H. Meyers, president of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Censorship; Steve Huddleston, former head of Oklahoma County District Attorney's Misdemeanor Division; Kyle Dahlen, president of the Oklahoma Education Association; and Dr. Cecil Greek, asst. professor of sociology, C.S.U.
Morris spoke on definitions of censorship and its long history in our society and others. She also listed media being censored currently, such as television, advertising, magazines, newspapers, school curriculums, and books. Ross addressed materialselection policies of the Metropolitan Library System, and explained the concept behind their Freedom to Read contract. Essentially, the library system contract says that the reader has the right to read and be exposed to books of all varieties, and that the system does not dissuade anyone from reading any book in the library system. Meyers, president of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Censorship, spoke on the legalities of censorship, and also made the point that liberals as well as conservatives censor material. He listed several examples. Huddleston defined pornography, obscenity, and censorship, and explained them from a legal standpoint. He made the point that although he and his
staff bring the material (hard core porn such as child pornography) to court, a 12-man jury decides what is obscene and offensive. Dahlen, president of Oklahoma Education Association, spoke on educational censorship. She cited examples of questions in textbooks that had been censored and told why. She also talked about the problems that censorship groups place on teachers as well as textbook writers and companies. Dr. Greek spoke on Censorship: A Socioligical Analysis of Moral Entrepeneurship. He explained how censorship has changed forms through the years and the sociological reasons and effects of censorship. Forum, a symposium investigating ideas and airing opinions concerning sociopolitical issues or problems, is a major feature of the New Plains Review Special Projects division. Forum provides an evocative, ongoing examination of timely issues and concerns of all fields of the humanities.