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LONGW00D COLLEGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1976
NO. 24
Small Turn-Out, Numerous Questions Highlight Press Conference By THALIA F. GERACHIS The April Press Conference by Dr. Willett took place Thursday afternoon in the Gold Room. Due to clear tennis courts and 80 degree weather, it was not very well attended. Susann Smith opened the meeting by announcing the recent activities of Legislative Board in the last few weeks. These included Pitch In Week, the fresh paint jobs to the benches and Lankford outdoor furniture by the boards and the proposed Bus Wash next week at the physical Plant. A tree will also be dedicated to Donna Norton on Stubbs Mall next week. Approved March 30 were new Judicial Board proposals. These include changes in the Campusing procedures which will be announced later. Passed April 12 were the Residence Board proposals dealing with coeducational residence halls. These will also be announced later. Dr. Willett's address was opened with comments dealing with the value of Press Conferences. He said that they were begun 8 years ago as another vehicle for student expression. They serve a purpose to only those that attend. If a student cares enough about something, she'll come. Any questions students have may be given to Legislative board or Dr. Willett beforehand or at the Conference. Student voice is always welcomed. Dr. Willett said that no major decision that he has been directly involved in, has not already been discussed at these meetings. Dr. Carolyn Wells then discussed the reason for an August preregistration. She said
that two major reasons included the fact that it is very difficult to know in April what one wants to do in August and students need more time to think about what they want to take. Dr. Wells said that "I feel very positive about this so we'll see what happens." Registration will begin at 9:00 on August 31. Summer School information will be available May 1 and mass mailing of fall catalogues will take place this summer. Dr. Wells also responded to one worried student's question about the
possibility of not getting a class she might need to graduate. Adjustments will be made so that no senior will be in jeopardy of not graduating on time. "An orderly and organized way of registering is by computer but it is dehumanizing and takes away from the personal aspect, so we will continue with this way of registering," stated Dr. Wells. Students will still be able to register for H-SC classes and these schedules are now available in the Registrar's Office. In closing the discussion on preregistration, Dr. Wells said that "we are morally and legally responsible for registering students, but if you anticipate any special problems, please give us some advance notice." Mr. Harper in the book store will be given information determined by past figures and some educated guesses will be made on the question of book sales. The Academic Policies Committee has rules that varsity athletics will now carry course credit towards general education requirements. The maximum will be 8 credit hours and participation will be reevaluated so that grades will be given to participants. Dr. Heintz stated that a Leadership Conference Committee has been formed to discuss the proposed leadership seminar question. She said that "it is being looked at closely." Funding is being sought to add new journalism, government, psycology or sociology professors to the College. As indicated by the
chairman, this will be a net increase in the College of two professors. The State legislature in Richmond has a new program designed to prosecuring of private monies for attracting additional help. This is known as the Eminent Scholar program. Private funds by the College will be matched 50-50 by the legislature. These funds are above and beyond normal allocations and are designed to improve quality education. Dr. Willett announced that fees for next year, not formally approved, state an overall increase of 4 per cent. "Fortunately, we're lower than any other state institution, escalating costs being what they are." This will be an approximate rise of $100.00. The college is 14 per cent above last year's admissions as of this iime last year. Good overall applications, half of which are male. Dr. Willett also said that 3 times as many incoming freshman students meet the Scholars program requirements as they have in the last three years. In introducing Mr. Klassen of the Dining Hall, Dr. Willett said that "we have been giving some thought to the feeding system — but we have no final decision yet. Although this review is not because of the move to coeducation, it is a motivating factor. Mr. Klassen said that he is looking into relevant possibilities for feeding. A continuous feeding program is now under close investigation. This would extend hot breakfast to one hour, the lunch hour to 1^-2 hrs., and the
dinner hour the same as lunch. The advantages to students are many. It would offer more flexibility in their schedules, would also eliminate the need for assigned seats and closed tables. There would probably be a need for two shifts of waitresses — meaning that the need for waitresses would be great. The likelihood for closing the downstairs dining hall is probable. A decision on Birthday Dinner hasn't been made yet. Slater is trying to improve and upgrade our dining hall program — but feedback is needed. If students have any ideas, please get in touch with Mr. Klassen or the Dining Hall Committee. Dr. Heintz also said that this may possibly add another MWF class and still leave TTH afternoons for meetings, etc. Mr. Klassen said that ' z of our food cost fee goes to food and the other half to running the dining hall, including labor, utilities and replacements. A student complaint after the meeting about the dirty dishes situation brought this reply:"dirty dishes are a big problem now — I am aware of it. It is a personnel problem of negligence that I have to control." In closing the Press Conference, Dr. Willett announced that next week a number of students will be asked to evaluate some of the College publications — this does not include the newspaper or the yearbook. This evaluation is being done for admissions purposes. "We're very happy with the 14 per cent increase but we're constantly striving for improvement."