Rotunda vol 59, no 19 march 11, 1980

Page 1

Victorious Again!f

THE ROTUNDA VOL. LV

L0NGW0OD COLLEGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA TUESDAY, MARCH 11 1980

NO .19

Board Of Visitors Hear Forum with a representative from the Attorney General's Office on the Freedom of Information Act. Dr. Rosemary Sprague, a Board of Visitors distinguished professor of English, was the first faculty member to speak in the forum. She reproached some of her colleagues as having revived "unhappy memories" of the past. She quoted faculty memers as saying, "If we don't get Henry this time we'll get him in May." She expressed great concern over ending the controversy adding that she had never felt fear of reprisal during her 17 years here. Dr. Robert P. Webber, of the Department of Mathematics, cited the merit pay system as a specific example of communication difficulties between administration and faculty. He said there was a "lack of consistency" in this matter. He cited the budget as an example of communication between administration and the board. He said it had taken him "four months and three attempts" to receive a copy of a budget in which the addition was done correctly. Dr. David A. Briel, of the President Willett and Dean Heintz answer questions at Tuesdays Natural Science Department, exPress Conference. Photo by Melody Crawley pressed concern over the

By MELODY CRAWLEY The 15 different presentations aired to the Board of Visitors in their first open session Thursday centered around faculty input. Twelve of these presentations were made by faculty members. Dr. James M. Helms Jr., professor of Government, was allowed to sit on the board for questions. He was not given

voting privileges. Dr. Helms described himself as a "faculty member in anguish" because he did not understand the board communication policy. The board emphasized that faculty should feel free to communicate with them. Dr. Helms was allowed to speak before the board in closed session after some discussion

Fees To Increase ByDEBRA CUNNINGHAM Among the topics discussed at the Press Conference on Tuesday, March 4, in the Ix>wer Dining Hall was the seven per cent increase in the students' overall fees. This would bring an increase of approximately $200. There will be a five dollar increase in the students' activity fee. There was much discussion on the increases made in the past in the Students Activities fees and the Athletic fees. President Willett also announced that there may be some modification in the Laundry Fee due to the utilization studv now uoinK on. There are some more decisions that are of particular interest to the student body that were presented at the Press Conference. The Faculty has approved the use of pluses and minuses in the grading system. This is to begin in the near future. Beginning July 1, 1980 there will be no Sales Tax on textbooks sold in colleges or universities. The suggestion that was made some time ago about having birthdates put on I.D. cards next year has been approved. President Willett encouraged students to keep pressing the Administration for information when they need it. There was much discussion relating to the new gym. There has been no definite decision reached on what teams will play

in the new gym. However, it was announced that Barlow gym will be used as Social Work classrooms next year. The Board of Visitors will select a name for the new gym in May. Graduating Seniors will be given a tour of the new gym before they leave. The predicted date of completion of the new gym is July 15, 1980. Also in the Sports, there will be a JV Women's Basketball team at l>ongwood next year. There was very much discussion on the academic standing and admittance of male athletes at Ixmgwood. President Willett informed those present that males had to have the same SAT scores as females to be admitted, and that they needed to maintain the same grade point average as females. He also stated that there is a process where students can appeal the Admissions Committee, and that "all academic eligibility comes through the Dean's office." Also l/Higwood has not completely filled its enrollment for the next year. The work on the parapet wall of the Dining Hall is to begin in the near future. The proposed needs of Jarman were not considered an emergency so funds were not allocated for that project, however, it can be submitted to the General Assembly again at a later date.

supportive rising cost in Athletic fees. "Students are being ripped off financially," he stated. He received clapping from students when he reported that athletes are being given special treatment. He cited the recent privilege given Intercollegiate athletes to register first along with Seniors and terminal professional students. Dr. Anthony Cristo, of the Economics Department and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory committee, brought four major concerns before the board. These concerns included the Tea Room, facilities improvements, college communications, and faculty pay. He, along with three other members of the committee (Dr. Wayne Tinnell, Dr. Gerald Graham, and Dr. John Peale), thanked the board for allowing them to speak in the forum, suggesting that it might be continued in the future. The question of the validity of the faculty survey in the management team report was discussed. President Willett reported that the team had not followed their manual in conducting the survey. Members of the President's Advisory

Committee assured the board that the faculty supported the accuracy of the survey. Dr. Cristo told the board that it may have failed in precision, "but you got it in regard to issues raised." Dr. Peale presented the Campus Ministers document as an example of changes needed. This document, among other things, asked for changes in the student services Dr. Jerry Cardwell, chairman of the Sociology and Anthropology Department, reported to the board that faculty on campus push their colleagues to choose sides. He said that in the one and a half years that he had been here he was asked constantly whether he was pro- or anti-administration. "The situation at Ixmgwood right now is a little more volatile than it ought to be. When questioned by Board member M. Ralph Page of Richmond, Dr. Cardwell stated that he had not felt a climate ol fear. Dr. Elizabeth Flynn, of the Art department, called for changes in the bookstore, Freshman Orientation, and library hours Dr. Edwin Vassar, Director of Student Teaching, said, "I have i Continued on Page 81

Communications Key To SGA Day Also there was a press had to respond to questions asked By DEBBIE NORTHERN conference that afternoon and a Over 160 faculty and students by the six committee members. participated in Student Colonel Ivey's gift of friendliness Judicial Board Mock Trial that Government Day on March 4. and humor soon put them at ease night Julia Combs and Mary Slade Other Student Government The Student Government were co-chairmen of student Day activities included a sponsored the day's activities Government Day to bring about better com- luncheon in which 45 faculty and "We were pleased with the munication between the 115 students participated and a students and faculty, staff, or banquet which 60 people attendance," said Miss Slade. administrators on a one-to-one attended. Charlie Mason and "We received several good basis to discover how each Dale Roller provided before- comments on the day. I feel that spends their time and to discuss dinner music for the banquet. Dr. more people came to Press Anthony Cristo, an economics Conference, especially faculty campus problems. Colonel Ivey, an ROTC staff professor, was the after dinner members who were at the luncheon." member at the University of speaker. Richmond which is the "home branch" of Ix)ngwood's ROTC program, came down especially for Student Government Day. He was quite interested in student activities and how the student government was organized. He also was willing to talk about military weapons and deterrence theories which related to his assigned student's International Relations class. Colonel Ivey also invited the student to an ROTC scholarship review committee meeting in which five students were being interviewed as candidates for national ROTC scholarships. Even though this was a particularly unnerving exDr. Anthony Cristo was speaker for SGA banquet. Photo by Mtlody Crawlty perience for the students who


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