Rotunda vol 59, no 3 sept 18, 1979

Page 1

THE ROTUNDA VOL. LV

LONGWOOD COLLEGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1979

NO. 3

Special Jury Clears Longwood By MELODY CRAWLEY

President Willett testified before the Richmond Special Grand Jury during the summer.

A special Richmond grand jury found insufficient evidence in July to recommend criminal prosecution of Longwood officials. President Henry I. Willett, Jr., was called before the jury in June probing alleged corruption within state purchasing programs. He was called before the jury after a state police investigation of contracts between longwood and a printing consultant, Media Directions Inc., of Atlanta. This investigation stemmed from a study done in the State's Department of Purchasing and Supply, last week. The longwood examination was part of a second interium report which included Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, and University of Virginia. The jury reviewed a series of contracts with an Atlanta design consultant and an affiliated printing company, Stein Printing Co., Inc., also of Atlanta. These companies produce Longwood's recruiting brochures and campus guides. Media Directions Inc. is owned by Stein Printing Co. Inc. Media designed Ixmgwood's 1972 view book and since has done a market research study which includes the 1976-78 catalog. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch this summer, part of the investigation stemmed from the use of color photography in the publications. They sighted the 1976-78 college catalog which used four color pictures on its front and the campus guide which uses color photos exclusively as examples.

John J. Mitchell, the college's director of public affairs, also testified before the special grand jury In an interview with Mitchell, he explained that Stein Printing had only received two of the four contracts over $5,000 from the school. Stone Printing company in Roanoke was awarded the 1976-78 catalog contract Contracts for printing are awarded by the Depart ment of Purchasing and Supply in Richmond. They handle all bids. The college only knows who receives tin contract. longwood College has requested that Shin Printing be allowed to bid. The contracts with the Atlanta firms total $30,000 for consulting and printing services. President Willett stated that as far as he was concerned, "not a penny of tax payers dollar's was wasted." The president told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in May that if there was something wrong with the procedures, "we would strongly recommend that the state adopt such a policy and longwood College will be happy to abide by it." The state has since set up recommendations or guidelines that Longwood had adopted. Before the investigation there were no juch guidelines. The grand jury found that Longwood officials were possible "unwilling parties to a bidding fraud" President Willett stated that, "they found no illegal activity" as far as longwood is concerned He alsi pointed out that the special jury investigation has been completed, involving state purchasing and longwood \ final report has been submitted by the jury

Fees Committee Stagnant By DOUG STROBEL The Student Fees Committee has been an area of increasing concern among organizations and appropriate administrators over the last few years. Hie crust of the problem has been a stagnant or even inactive committee at key appropriation

times. Apparently, it has been difficult to bring student committee members together in order that they may do their appointed jobs. Organizations need to have their budgets approved by the end of each academic year so that some foresight can be used

Enrollment Projections Predicted Stable By BARBARA BAKER The enrollment figures of longwood College are predicted to remain stable throughout the 1980s. We should have all residence halls filled in the HMO's. says Dr. William Peele, VicePresident for Administration. This year the enrollment figure of students had been predicted to be 2,355. However, the actual headcount is 2,400, plus. The reason for this greater number is the increase of returning students on campus; whereas, in the past an average number of 100 students did not return to school. According to demographic studies, there may be a slight decline in enrollment figures in the mid to late 1980s as the result of a nationwide lower birthrate

during the 1960s. These studies are conducted by the Department of Planning and Budget in Richmond and should turn out to be accurate excepting a dramatic change in the nations economical situation. Will there be more males at longwood next year"' Dr. Peele says yes, if past figures are any indication of the future, longwood is experiencing a steady increase ot male enrollment as the news of its being coed is spread by admission counselors and students alike. Dr. Peele states that the entrance requirements for males are the same as for females and no exceptions are made for males for the purpose ot increasing their number on campus

in planning their activities for the next school year. The committee has let budgets ride over to the fall thus fostering limited time for appeal and promoting confusion among those concerned. The committee has been heavily made up of students and will continue so because of a strong administrative belief that students should handle the student appropriations However. this year the committee has been reduced in size in order to make it easier to get all the members together on a specific date. The committee will be comprised of seven students, one faculty member, and the treasurer of the college. Each class will be represented on the fees committee. Another change this year will be the introduction of set meeting times for the committee. In the past the committee was only brought together on a random basis. Dr. Carolyn Wells, Dean of the College, has been instrumental of reshaping the committee. It must be emphasized that she and all others concerned have a fervent belief in heavy student participation on the committee. longwood is one of the only schools where the business office does not handle student appropriation. The idea is that the students add a personal touch to an area of student concern

PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY 12:45 P.M. LOWER DINING HALL

Dalton Teams Study Business Operations By MKMIDY CRAWLEY A team of "management specialists" will be on campus this week to study the college's operations President Henry I. Willet Jr., called for the management study after Governor John N. Da I ton's announcement that the service would be made available to state operated agencies The service provides a consultant operation to the college. It consists of a chosen team of fiscal, personnel and management experts who will examine all of the school's records, looking for ways to

streamline operations and save money longwood was the first state agency to request the management team in early July According to President Willett the team is made up of state employees under the Dalton administration. He feels that this Consultant service will save taxpayers money The team will meet as a group with administrators this week Each member will then return later to study his particular field They will work only with the business operations of the colle including data [H'K essini and personnel.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.