Languages by Bits And

If undeliverable, please forward to: Languages by bits and Pioneering efforts in computer- “We are one of the first to get into this now at $20 each, soon will be marketed assisted learning programs have assisted language learning by the area seriously and we are in an ex in North America by a New York developed to such a sophisticated level Faculty of Arts Language Laboratories cellent position because we started ear publisher, with the University receiv that they are among the best in North are generating growing international ly.” ing royalties. America. They are being used not only interest. So far, Western has completed 18 Western’s efforts in computer- by our own students in French, Spanish Prof. Glyn Holmes, Academic Direc computer language lessons for the assisted language learning have been and Italian, and English, but they are tor of the UWO Language Laboratories, Commodore PET, the most commonly aided by “seed money” from the now being produced, at minimal cost, said the computer language lessons found computer system in schools, University’s Second Century Fund, the for use by school boards and some created at Western are attracting the Prof. Holmes said. Academic Development Fund, and the private high schools.” interest of schools across Canada and in The goal is to complete 62 programs Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Prof. Holmes said computer pro- parts of the United States and Great by early next summer. Faculty of Arts Dean T.J. Collins Britain. Prof. Holmes said the lessons, sold said: “With these funds, the computer- (Continued on Page 4) V____________________________ ______________ J Layoffs prompt union grievance Canadian Union of Public the work out more over the year Employees Local 2361 has filed a to avoid layoffs of personnel. grievance with the University He said tradesworkers “were over four tradesworkers who extremely busy” over the sum received layoff notices, effective mer and early fall months — even November 30. working overtime — on a number John Reed, President of Local of projects. That work has sud 2361 which represents about 330 denly dried up and tradespeople trades, caretakers and service have been given their layoff workers at the University, said notices, he noted. three electricians and one sheet Russ Gonder, Assistant Direc metal worker have received “in tor of Physical Plant — Opera definite layoffs.” In addition, he tions and Maintenance, said the said, two service workers at layoffs of the four tradespeople Spencer Hall were laid off earlier are the result of “a slump in last month. alterations work.” Mr. Reed said a grievance was He said two service workers, filed with UWO Personnel Direc who were not regular, full-time tor William Trimble over the employees, were terminated in layoffs. The union also will be early November because of a sending a letter to Vice-President scaling-down in operations at Administration A.K. Adlington on Spencer Hall. the issue, Mr. Reed said. The trades layoffs were the The union local was informed first in some time, Mr. Gonder Tuesday by Mr. Trimble that the noted. He said a heavy influx of grounds for the grievance have alterations work on campus over been rejected, Mr. Reed said. the past two years had resulted in The union executive will a buildup of regular, full-time discuss whether to seek arbitra tradesworkers, and the work tion by the Ontario Labour Rela slump necessitated the layoffs. tions Board, he added. The layoffs are indefinite and He said there is a need for the the workers could be recalled if University community to plan its work picks up in future months, project needs better and space Mr. Gonder indicated. PTR could pose ‘divisive issue’ Progress-Through-the-Ranks higher income faculty — those could be a divisive issue in facul earning over $35,000 a year — ty wage settlements for 1984 who were not eligible for PTR or under the province’s new merit payments. restraint bill, says an Ontario “If some recognition of this im Confederation of University posed imbalance in increases Faculty Associations committee. from last year were to be made Prof. Joe Rose, Chairperson of this year, those earning less than the OCUFA committee responsi $35,000 would have to have a ble for monitoring the restraint lower increase in order for the legislation, says the five percent average increase to be within the target for salary settlements five percent target,” the commit Lights for the courts under Bill 111 seems to include all tee says. forms of compensation and offers At a recent meeting, OCUFA’s Although it’s December and the weather is definitely not suitable for outdoor tennis, come “great potential for this becom Board of Directors authorized the spring enthusiasts will be able to play under the stars — and floodlights. With a little help ing a divisive issue.” preparation of a brief to the from a crane, Physical Plant employee Ron Homebrewe (above) and co-workers install the Last year, restrictions on legislative committee examining floodlights at the Talbot College courts. The Physical Recreation and Intramurals Program salary increases were greater for Bill 111. is spending about $51,000 to light six of the nine courts, and install a water fountain. Letters to the Editor * point out that in public regulation of this sort, there is southern Africa. One of the CUSO-backed “liberation Wider investigation urged no such thing as absolute and untramelled “discre movements” identified in the magazine was the tion”, that is that action can be taken on any grounds African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, a for health sciences staff or for any reason that can be suggested to the mind Soviet-line Communist front that has openly boasted of the administration. These premises, contained in about its responsibility for terrorist activity. Dear Editor: the USC clubs policy, afford the opportunity for Smillie tried to justify CUSO policy by stating that For those of us located in the Medical and Dental ideological discrimination and contemplate an apartheid — “the worst crime against humanity Sciences Buildings the report (November 24th) of an unlimited arbitrary power exercisable for any reason since the Nazi holocaust” — was supported “by all investigation of respiratory problems occurring however capricious or irrelevant regardless of the major South African political parties.” In reality, the amongst staff in the Biophysics Department is com nature or purpose of the legislative act. Progressive Federal Party — which forms the of forting. Even more comforting, for those located bet The second administrative measure for the calm ficial Opposition in South Africa’s Parliament — is ween the basement, where Biophysics is found, and and security of this campus is the limitations the strongly critical of apartheid. One of the party’s pro the 6th Floor Animal Care Facility, who appreciate University administration has placed on our freedom minent members, Helen Suzman, was internationally that hot air rises and cold air sinks, and likely share to communicate information and ideas. According to known as a foe of apartheid as early as the 1960s. the same in-house forced air supply, would be a clear their policy, any student organization must apply for In order to view apartheid as the “worst crime indication that the survey teams acting under the permission to hand out literature on the University aegis of the Advisory Committee on Employee against humanity since the Nazi holocaust,” which grounds. We have been personally reassured by Dr. ended in 1945, one has to adopt a remarkably lenient Respiratory Problems were assessing air purity Connell and by Mr. Rooney that the administration’s throughout the Medical and Dental Buildings and view of subsequent mass exterminations by Com intent is not to censor the distribution of information munists. In his book Kolyma: The Arctic Death possibly testing all staff at those locations. I hope on the part of students. The permission requirement that a plan for a wider study will be announced since Camps (Oxford University Press, 1979), Robert Con is a formality only and in fact, permission would quest gives considerable detail on Soviet techniques continued sub-clinical lung damage may have very never be refused. It is difficult to see any reason for serious consequences. of liquidation. He makes clear that there was a ma this formality if permission will always be granted. jor influx of prisoners into the Soviet camp system in Mr. Rooney adds, however, that what concerns the 1946. What the author calls the “vast death factory” Malcolm D. Silver, M.D. University administration is a need to be able to Professor and Chairman, Department of Pathology of Kolyma — the Soviet counterpart of Adolf Hitler’s identify those responsible for distributing printed Auschwitz — became especially productive in 1950, matter “in case anything happens”. We object to the when “orders came to carry out mass shootings” on University administration’s policy because it is a the slightest pretext. violation of a basic freedom. Even if the present ad In China the victorious Communists carried out an USC, University policies ministration will always grant permission, the fact even more massive slaughter; perhaps some 15 remains that no authoritarian regime would find it million were killed in the 1950s alone. In his book ‘encroachment on freedoms’ dificult to operate under such discretionary powers. Chinese Shadows, Simon Leys quotes Mao Tse- These administrative bodies have robbed students tung’s proud boast (officially published in Peking) To the Editor: of their just rights. The University’s commitment to that his regime had “executed” 46,000 scholars. the ideals of free enquiry and debate should ensure “More than ruin and even death men fear thought” In terms of percentage of a population destroyed, the protection of the University not from however, the Cambodian Communists of the 1970s ap — Bertrand Russell “unbeneficial outbursts of free speech” or “wrong parently surpassed the homicidal accomplishments * A spectre is haunting The University of Western thinking”, but from bureaucratic encroachment on of the socialist dictatorships in both China and the Ontario.

Load more