THE YZ~Tg December 9, 1982
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Vol. 81, No. 26
NCA submits recommendation for consultant Team members propose a return visit for 1985.86
By Joe Park The North Central Association's Focused Visit Team has recommended that CSU consider employing outside consultative help in writing a new faculty handbook and developing greater clarification and improved procedures for academic policy. In their exit interview Tuesday, the team members said they would also recommend that the next visit to CSU be made in 1985-86. The committee submitted their views in an oral report to CSU President Bill Lillard. The three recommendations concluded the two-day visit and will be included in writing at later date. The written report will be forwarded to Lillard for correction of factual errors. The corrected report will be submitted to North Central's Commission on Instututions of Higher Education and a final report made to the universtiy in the spring of 1983. Dr. Lillard praised the committee for its work He also indicated the team was complimentary of university members with whom they have had contact with. "They asked that I convey their appreciation for the ease with which they were able to obtain information," said Lillard. "They said they had never been more warmly received or found a campus more open." Anne Lynch, faculty senate president, attended the exit interview. Lynch said that in setting the 1985-86 evaluation date the team indicated that it felt there has been "clearly discernable progress in the areas of concern since the 1979 evaluation."
Vista photo by Craig Clark
Students of the University Center Activities Board recreate the nativity scene to promote the Christmas season during the annual Feast of Carols held last week. The Vista would like to take this opportunity to wish the students, faculty, staff and administration a safe and happy holiday season.
Senior awards undergo alteration? By Mike Sherman the past practice with the excep Assistant Editor tion being that the faculty will not Outstanding senior men and participate. women awards which were Seniors listed in Who's Who for previously awarded to only two American Colleges and Universtudents may be given to one stu- sities will be included on the dent from each school this year, ballot. The students will vote on according to Dr. Richard Mit- these people. The top three chell, vice president of student students will also be recognized at services. the Awards Assembly and be picMitchell's proposal allows for tured in the Bronze Book along each of the five academic schools with the faculty choices. and the graduate classes to select Mitchell pointed to the rapid an outstanding student. All six growth of the university as the will be honored with their picture main reason for the change. in the Bronze Book, CSU's year- "Big schools like OU and OSU book, and a presented at the don't do what we did in the past," Awards Assembly, he said. said Mitchell. "In fact, most This honor will be voted on by universities have already switched the faculty members of each over awarding students in each school. In addition, the students school before that get as large as may elect an Outstanding Student we are. I think OSU allows the Leader. This is a continuation of newspaper to select the outstan-
In this issue... Designer fashions come to Oklahoma...page 3 Miss CSU pageant competition ...page 4 Rock music workshop offered...page 5 New sorority chartered on campus...page 6 Bronchos prepare for Redmen...page 7 Grapplers compete in Las Vegas...page 8
ding students, who are then voted on by the faculty. I think students should have more of a voice in the decision. "I feel like there are many students who deserve such an honor and the more we can recognize, the better it will be." The proposal, which Mitchell said will most likely be utilized this school year, has been considered by several committees, he said, and all have reported favorably. Mitchell said he also consulted the Student Senate and found that they had no problems with the idea. "For the last two years I have heard complaints from students and faculty. They didn't like only two students being recognized out of the entire university," said Mitchell. "Students didn't want the faculty choosing their outstanding leader either. I took all this into consideration. "I don't like to just arbitrarily do these things. I welcome any other opinions or suggestions from students on this. I would like to get some reaction from the student body, but there is not much time. Arrangements have to be made and pictures have to be taken for the yearbook." Mitchell said the plan will be set in motion soon.
The team also indicated that they felt the time between now and their next visit will allow a track record to be made on improvements in the various areas. The team said that this should not indicate the concern for the issues and problems raised by the 1979 evaluation have been minimized in any way. Dr. John Flower, Cleveland State University provost, was team chairman. He pointed to progress in the areas of concern but said what has been done is a "good start." The team cited communication as a continuing problem, but placed no blame except to note it is a problem for any university experiencing growth or a changing function or role. It also cited confusion as to the role of the Faculty Senate and the Academic Council, Graduate Council and Teacher Education Council. More specific procedures need to be developed for input into academic policy making, they indicated. NCA also cited progress in academic leadership, particularly with addition of a second assistant vice president, Dr. Albert Lynd, in that area. As far as the faculty's voice in university decisions, one team member commented that there was very little "meddling," but added, "Perhaps there should be more." Another expressed concern with lack of "quality assurance in instruction." The study focused on case studies of the graduate school by Dr. Jeanne Gullahorn, Michigan State University's graduate dean and a case study of the business school by Dr. Robert Dolphin, Northern Colorado University business school dean. Gullahorn was very complimentary of the expanding curriculum and expansion of graduate programs, but warned of a need to analyze the expansion. She indicated lateral communication is needed and questioned whether there needs to be redefinition of who comprises graduate faculty. She also said there needs to be more follow up study of graduate students entering career fields. Dolphin had high praise for the school of business and its dean, Dr. James Perry. He noted the faculty load is too high for accreditation by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, put pointed out that is not a requirement of North Central. Dolphin questioned not bringing in professors above rank of assistant professor, saying the university should employ outside "role models." He said the salary schedule is not flexible enough, perhaps paying too much for professors in "soft" areas and not enough in the competitive areas. He cited examples of paying English, political science and humanities professors too much and not enough for accounting professors. Dolphin complimented the school's academic leadership, faculty governance and research, especially in its consultative work and the time made available to faculty for such work. He expressed a possible need for an assistant or associate dean of the school and said its needs may not be well enough understood by the other areas of the university. In their concluding remarks, the team expressed belief that CSU may be on the threshold of greatness.