THE October 10, 1985 Vol. 84, No. 12
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Early retirement benefits approved A new policy enacted by Central State University's governing board could prove significant to employees thinking of taking early retirement, Dr. Bill Lillard, CSU president said Tuesday. Lillard, who was one of those instrumental in bringing the proposal to a university presidents' council and then to the regents, said the policy allows persons taking early retirement to continue receiving hospital and medical insurance coverage as well as life insurance coverage. Costs for insurance following retirement have been a serious consideration for many faced with having to pay their own insurance, Lillard explained. CSU faculty and staff may qualify for early retirement as early as age 55 if they have 20 years credible service in the
Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System and have been with CSU the last 10 consecutive years. Those meeting the requirements may receive the group health insurance paid by the university they now receive as an employee. The university will also continue to pay group life insurance premiums. Payment on both policies continue until age 65. Furthermore, the retiring employee may also continue to pay for dependent medical and hospitalization coverage until the employee reaches age 65. Presently, that cost is $74 per month. Lillard has urged such a policy saying employees have faced costs of about $100 per month just for the medical and hospital coverage once they leave the university. "That seriously cuts into an employee's
retirement benefits," he emphasized. "We are pleased the regents have acted on this proposal and believe it will benefit faculty and staff as well as the university," Lillard said. Costs to the university may well be offset by retirement of persons who are at the top salay levels who may be replaced by younger, less experienced persons receiving less pay. Lillard did not anticipate the overall cost to the university to be an important factor and could result in a savings. "Our interest in the policy was to offer an improved employee retirement benefit and we believe this will do that," he added. Actual number of employees who are eligible for the program was not determined since it would be difficult to estimate how many of that number would take advantage
of the option. "We want to emphasize that it is an option the employee may wish to consider. We believe the free choice offered by the policy is a positive point in its favor. We certainly are not encouraging anyone to leave. Experience of older faculty is an important asset to the university," Lillard concluded. The new policy affects all employees under the Oklahoma Teacher Retirement Program employed at CSU and the other five Regional Universities governed by the Board of Regents for Oklahoma Colleges. The policy was proposed to regent members by the six presidents who form the Presidents Council and has been under study by them for several months, Lillard explained.
Former student gives 'moving' musical show Tenor James Williams presented a moving program of operatic arias, Negro spirituals and popular Italian songs at Central State University Tuesday evening. Answering a second curtain call, Williams brought tears to the eyes of the audience with his performance of "Danny Boy." Williams incredible range was apparent in his mastery of the German funeral arias by Mahler, Schubert and Mussorgsky that opened the program. He brought a lighter note with his comic performance of "The Flea" by Mussorgsky. Williams, the former student of Dr. Clarence Garder, CSU chairman of the department of music, performed with great finesse, expertise, feeling and musical insight. A physicist with Modcomp computer systems in Englewood, Colo., Williams has managed a second career in opera and church music. He is a frequent performer and director. A 1967 graduate of CSU in math and physics, Williams was a physicist with IBM, the Department of Commerce and the National Bureau of Standards before joining Modcomp. He and his wife, Euphemia "Peggy" Goodlow Williams, live in Boulder, Colo. He is the son of Rep. Freddye Williams, Oklahoma City, and the late Mr. Williams.
Vista photo by Daniel Smith
Former CSU student James Williams, accompanied by pianist Gaillerd E. Mattson, (left) performed on campus Tuesday.
North Central team gives 'favorable' report A regularly scheduled accreditation review of Central State University by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools was completed Wednesday with a reported 10-year accreditation recommendation by the 5-member team. Dr. Bill Lillard, CSU President, said the team chairman, Dr. Arthur MacKinney, vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Missouri, indicated the team would be recommending full accreditation with the next scheduled general review to be in 1995.
In this issue. . Political science class offered...page 3 Camera buying tips outlined...page 3 Park to feature `spooks'...page 5 `Jagged edge' reviewed...page 6 Bronchos look to bounce back...page 8
North Central Association's bylaws call for a general review of its members at least every 10 years. All five of the college deans termed their interviews with members of the review team "positive." Ray Beasley, president of the Faculty Senate, said that the current senate executive committee and last three Senate presidents were interviewed by two North Central members. Beasley said he was "pleased with the receptiveness" of the team members. One of the positive aspects discussed, according to Beasley, was in the area of fiscal management. Beasley said the review team seemed pleased that CSU did not have to lay off faculty during the last few years of budget woes. The administration, in the past few years, is also responding better to Senate proposals, Beasley said. Faculty input has also made improvements, Beasley said. Some major problems still exist among faculty members in regard to input in decision making, but Beasley said he has "high hopes that we'll continue to improve those as well."
Overall, the review team seemed pleased with the improvements made since the last general review. "It was a very positive visit by the North Central team and we are pleased to report the verbal report given at the exit interview was favorable," Lillard indicated. Lillard said the team will report its findings to the North Central Association and a written report will be forthcoming in four to five weeks. Purpose of the review was to determine whether the university is fulfilling North Central Association requirements for accreditation. There are 13 general requirements and four evaluative criteria. General requirements include a mission statement, programs consistent with the mission, a determination of students to be served, enrollment of students and awarding of degrees. Other requirements include a governing authority, operating authorities, a chief executive officer and a governing board. A third area includes funding, financial statements audited by outside sources, and availability of program descriptions.
Evaluation is to determine whether the university has clearly stated purposes consistent with its mission, whether it is effectively organized with adequate human, financial and physical resources to accomplish its purposes and whether the university is accomplishing its purposes and can continue to do so. Central State University was first accredited by North Central Association in 1921. The last general accreditation review was in 1979 with an on-site focused visit by a North Central team in 1982. A general review must be made at least every ten years, but may be made more frequently, according to the association's bylaws. Team members also included Dr. Robert Matheny, President, Eastern New Mexico University at Portales; Dr. John Chavis, dean of the university and professor of history at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo.; Dr. Donald James, biology professor at the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, and Dr. Suzanne Reid, dean of graduate studies at Western Illinois University at Macomb, Ill.