Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 BATTLING INFLATION
Pg. 5 Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022
Volume 120, Issue 14
VISTA The
“OUR WORDS, YOUR VOICE.”
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com
Volume 119, Issue 19
Walking on a new path
Interim President Andrew Benton says he values interactment with UCO student body
Interim President Andrew Benton took on the role on Jan. 31. (Provided) they don’t fear the process. Ainsley Martinez Editor-in-Chief “I’m always thinking about irritants, and wanting to remove them. I try to get people to see that there’s a better, more student-serving, way of doing things,” he University of Central Oklahoma Interim President said. “I hope that’s responsive.” Andrew Benton began working on campus Jan. 31, The former Pepperdine University president said with goals to strengthen relations on campus, increase he hopes to be the right leader, at the right time for enrollment, and raise money for UCO during his temUCO students and faculty. His interactive philosophy, porary time at the university. “management by walking around” as he coined it, will But, he will not be settling into his office. be beneficial to students, he said. “I’m not an across the desk kind of guy. I’d rather “Some presidents might not care about that as much, take you on a walk,” Benton said. “[People] shouldn’t and that’s their business,” he said. “My business was be surprised to see me on campus because I really like doing it in my own authentic way.” to see students in their natural environment.” A Kansas native, Benton graduated from Oklahoma Benton replaces former UCO President Patti Christian University, receiving his juris doctorate deNeuhold-Ravikumar, whose tenure focused on solving gree later at Oklahoma City University. He transitioned budgetary issues at the university. While no master into private education, spending 10 years in adminisplan exists to decrease the looming shortfalls in revtration at Oklahoma Christian. enue and enrollment, Benton said he prefers to raise While Benton respects the differences between primoney, rather than cutting costs. vate and public institutions, he said educational leaders Using an “empathic, but assertive” approach, always have oversight: whether it’s from private or state Benton believes developing the community from the regents. He does not fear the transition. inside-out will allow UCO to succeed on its laurels: In his 19 years at Pepperdine, Benton managed the quality education at affordable costs. California institution’s own budget concerns, taking He said universities should focus on accessibility in different approaches to solving its deficits. all matters of student life, not just financially. Benton In 2009, he volunteered to reduce his salary by 10% hopes to make enrollment functions, like adding or to help offset cuts. He later proposed a $25 million dropping a class, more straightforward for students so
reallocation which required eliminating more than 100 positions and cutting costs to athletics. However, he took unorthodox approaches to maintain community satisfaction. The early 2000s Nickelodeon show “Zoey 101” was filmed at Pepperdine, garnering significant funding for the university. “It goes back to my point about cuts and revenue,” he said. “If I could raise revenue by allowing our dressed campus to be used for movies and television shows, then that’s more we don’t have to charge in tuition.” “It was good marketing. [‘Zoey 101’] was a good, wholesome story,” Benton said. He remembers the experience as “crazy talented kids running around campus.” With Oklahoma’s growing film industry, Benton said does not see why UCO could not take on these unique approaches to raising revenue. The Regional University System of Oklahoma has begun its search for a permanent president, but no official timeline has been given. Benton said he would not accept a permanent position, and will return to retirement so he can spend time with his wife and grandchildren. “Every day I wake up thinking about relations on campus, relations with the community, and student enrollment,” Benton said. “That’s my mantra, and I like our chances.”
Diverse candidates line up for open Oklahoma County Clerk position Treat received endorsebest choice for this essenQuinn Daugherty Reporter
A Special Primary Election will be held Tuesday, February 14, to determine Republican and State Superintendent Ryan Walters reforms schools. (Provided) Democratic nominees for the April 4 election for the office of Oklahoma County Clerk. Eight candidates — five Democrats, and three Georgia Jones $10,000 on top of the state’s Republicans — will appear Contributing Writer minimum salary, with raises on the special election determined by factors such ballot. The position was The state Board of Educaas professional development, made vacant last June tion approved Superintendent Ryan Walters’ proposal student performance and when former Oklahofor a “performance-pay” apma County Clerk David classroom practices. proach to Oklahoma teacher Hooten was accused by “We grade kids in the salaries in late January. The two female employees of classroom and reward them measure is now headed to sexual harassment. The the Oklahoma legislature, for hard work and diligence,” office was helmed in the which convenes this week. Walters said. “Teachers need interim by Hooten’s chief Walters’ $150 million to be rewarded for the same.” deputy Danny Lambert. program would offer raisContinued on Pg. 4 Republican Maressa es varying from $2,500 to
Walters promotes ‘performance-pay’
ments from U.S. Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin in January. Treat served as finance director in Lankford’s re-election campaign, and as director of state outreach in his personal office. Treat is a lifelong conservative and community advocate in Oklahoma, according to her website. Former Oklahoma State Representative Al Lindley and Oklahoma County Democratic Party Chair endorsed democrat Tom Guild. “Over the years I have come to know a few of the many candidates seeking this office either by reputation or personal contact. Tom Guild is the
tial office,” Lindley said in his endorsement. “I urge you to support and vote for Tom Guild for the office of Oklahoma County Clerk and ask others to do the same.” Guild served as Oklahoma County Democratic Party Secretary and taught at Oklahoma universities during a career that spanned 30 years. Oklahoma voters might remember Guild from his failed congressional bid in 2018. In the lead-up to the Democratic primary, Guild was caught tampering and removing opponents’ signs.
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