Rotunda vol 53, no 15 jan 30, 1973

Page 1

VOL. XLIX

NO. IS

LONGWOOD COLLEGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1974

News Report False That Longwood Will Close By JANE BLOODWORTH News accounts stating that a recently concluded study of Virginia state colleges recommended that Longwood be closed are false, according to Dr. Willett. "There have never been any reports, either by the State Council of Higher Education, or by the Shaner Study, about Longwood being closed," Dr. Willett said on Wednesday, January 24, after reading the earliest accounts of the study in the RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH. Donald Shaner and Associates of Chicago conducted a two-year study of Virginia's 39 public colleges and universities for the legislature's Commission on Higher Education, which is composed of eight state legislators. It accused the state colleges of wasting at least $48 million, on unneeded facilities, and it lists Longwood as one of the six forerunners, stating that although it enrolls approximately 2400, it has classroom space for 7 700. Longwood Under Attack According to Shaner's report, excess space exists at Longwood, William and Mary, and the University of Virginia because they "have decided not to grow." Radford, Mary Washington and Virginia State have excess space because their programs will not attract students. "The existence of excess gen-

eral classroom space does not rule out the possible coexistence of a general need for other kinds of buildings on campus,' said Dr. Willett in response to this. "According to the formula we have some average in general classroom space," Dr. Willett said. However, he added that he does not want enrollment to increase. If enrollment were increased to the extent that the report suggested, new dormitories, as well as a new dining hall and a new library, would be necessary. Construction of these buildings would involve millions of dollars, according to Dr. Willett. Dr. Willett does not anticipate this study to harm Longwood's chances for a new physical education building. At present, the school has 2,417 students enrolled, with only enough physical education classroom space for 651, according to reports by the Commission on Higher Education. There is also some shortage of library space needed for the number of students enrolled at Longwood. The years between 1966-1969 was a period of rapid growth for Longwood, and the building done during that time was an effort to keep up with the increased enrollment. After December of 1969, it was decided to level off the enrollment, primarily because the number of young people

approaching college age was not as great. There are plans for Longwood to increase the number of male day students, in an effort to lessen the amount of wasted classroom space. Tighter Central Control Suggested The study also charged statesupported schools with wasting tax money by offering duplication of courses and degrees. Some master's and doctoral programs continue to be offered, although they have produced no degrees in the past five years. According toShaner, some college libraries within the state are wasting space by storing obsolete or rarely used books. There is also a geographical imbalance of Virginia's institutions. Nine of the seventy public and private colleges in the state are located within fifty miles of Roanoke, and nine are located within twenty-five miles of Norfolk. Shaner cites a lack of effective, comprehensive state policies concerning higher education as a major reason for the wasted state funds. According to THE WASHINGTON POST, the Commission endorsed the general ideas, but not all of the specific findings of the consultant. Its recommendations will probably carry significant weight in the General Assembly.

Commission's Proposal As a result of Shaner's statements that much waste was due to a lack of some sort of centralized authority, the commission has recommended that the State Council on Higher Education be given new powers. The State Council of Higher Education is now primarily an advisory group. However, if the recommendations of the Commission are accepted, the State Council will have some authority in determining enrollment and goals for each college, in approving and rejecting state schools' proposed academic programs, and in reviewing their budgets. The Council would not function as a "superboard', however, but rather as a system of centralized coordination. The individual colleges and universities will stiU be able to present their requests before the General Assembly, and it will weigh them with the council's recommendations.

The Commission rejected the Consultant's advice that Christopher Newport College in Newport News be closed. It did agree to study a possibility of merger between Radford and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Private Institutions The Shaner Report also threatened that many private institutions in Virginia would be forced to close their doors if not given more aid by the State, As a result, the Commission has recommended tliat the General Assembly give its final approval to a constitutional change which would allow the state to give more aid to private colleges. This could have a direct effect on Longwood and Hampden-Sydney students, particuliarly in the area of the library. The two libraries are available to students at both schools. However, they have not been cross-indexed because of a law forbidding expenditure of state limits to private institutions.

Longwood Women United A New Sounding Board By BETH RAFFERTY There is a general misconception not only around the country, but also here at Longwood about any group which symbolizes itself with women's rights. The term women's lib both scares and disgusts many people. A group of concerned women is springing up on campus which is running across the problem of being stigmatized as a Women's Lib Group. This group which has called themselves Longwood Women United, was approved by Legislative Board last semester. They have the impression from Legislative Board that President Willett has also approved them, but as of now, they are "wondering whether we are recognized or not." According to Sara Savage one of the founders of the group, '•! just now turned in the form for a sponsor. We've named four people. As of now we still have no sponsor officially." Donna Davis, another founder, stated that as of now, "there is no organization per se. We have just made the constitution; there is no president. Here's the recipe-put it together, please," stated Donna.

The purpose of this group is if there is any issue on campus, this is a sounding board. «■ The Student Government is not for this. There's so much that women are just beginning to think about.'' She stated that this group was •not in the way you usually think about Women's Lib. It's more of a women's awareness group. This organization has been developed for the girls. I guess technically it is a Women's Lib thing but not in the agressive scenes. There are so many opportunities in jobs and life, not that Longwood College stifles it, you just don't see it." Donna also added that "we don't want to set any goals because it wasn't our place to, it depends on the interest of the girls. I always want it to be open." Sara Savage proposed that one of the objectives the group could have would be "to be an advocate group for people who are sick of screaming at the top of their lungs." Sara stated that she would like to see the group becomes united behind an objective and propose changes to the Boards. "A lot of the regulations we have are based on

the male oriented society. We could be forceful but at the same time be correct in the way we do it.' This group really has no set goals at this point. They are resisting the idea of becoming a structured organized group. The course this group takes will depend entirely on the support they get not only from the students but also from the faculty. Some members have been in contact with several faculty members and Donna Davis summed up their feelings by saying « they're just about topop.theyaresoexcited." According to Dean Heintz the group is "officially recognized as of now. I haven't seen their consitution or talked to any of their members about what their goals are,* so Dr. Heintz felt that she has to reserve comment about the group until she is better acquainted with their goals. They are coming up with new form sand procedures, ' so we will know when an organization is coming up." This group is offering the students a way to express their opinions without fear of the Boards' reactions.

Dr. Carolyn Wells, First Honorary Member Of Geist By ELSIE BLUE Dr. Carolyn Wells is the recipient of the first honorary membership that Geist has awarded. Last Tuesday night, in its semi-annual recognition assembly, Geist tapped Dr. Wells into membership. As Jennie Metcalfe, president of Geist, and Mary Alice Noel, chairman of Oktoberfest, escorted Dr. Wells to the stage after her tapping, Becky Bailey, secretary of Geist, told of Dr. Wells' contributions to Longwood. Dr. Wells came to Longwood in 1960, and almost immediately became interested in the students and their extracurricular activities. She served on several committees and was "fundamental in

the founding of Colleagues," For several years she sponsored Alpha Kappa (jamma of which she is an honorary member. AKG is the organization from which Dr. Wells and several other faculty and administrative rn e m b 11 I formed Geist. Becky said, "Because of her continuing service to Longwood and its students, and especially for the help she has given the members of Geist, lot the first time, Geist awards an honorary membership to Dr. Carolyn Wells." Dt, Wells said,' At a time like this, there isn't anything to say. But something told me to go home and wash my hair/'Theaudienci laughed.


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