Trinity Tripod, 1988-11-22
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TRINITY COLLEGE • HARTFORD • CONNECTICUT November 22,1988 NON-PROHT OOG. SULK RATE U.S. POSTAGt PAID KARTFORD.CT. PtRMITNo 1378 Times Article Stirs Curriculum Debate ferred to the new studies as "oppres- The reason that we should study -By Toh Tsun Lim & sion studies". [women and minorities] is to remind Judy Sandford- In a brief survey, most Trinity those groups they have a voice." Special to the Tripod professors were offended to be called As for the Trinity campus, what the NAS terms "barbarian" or Greenberg finds the new curriculum A November 15 article in the "the fascist left", although some could is sometimes considered "fluff New York Times reported that a new understand the reasoning behind the courses". Although few men enroll group of 300 academics called the attacks. in her women's history courses, she National Association of Scholars Director of Women's Studies finds that plenty of non-black stu- (NAS) met to denounce the "radicali- Joan Hedrick broke down their argu- dents enroll in her classes on black zation" of courses, hiring policies and ment by asking what they meant by history. academic standards. Their chief merit in relation to literature. "They Greenberg was not suiprised at complaint was that "political objec- don't have to defend greatness be- the group's accusations because of a tives, many of them flowing from cause their literature has been around recent movement against the new affirmative action programs for for so long. They would have trouble students haii i- euin.".>,ed concern about A lack or student air time on VVRTC women and other minority groups, finding reasons for its merits." Continued on Page 5 had contaminated ... objectivity on As for the accusation that decisions about curriculum, promo- women's studies were "oppression tion and academic discourse." studies" she said "[women] are seen In response. Dean of Faculty Jan as important creators not simply vic- Students Allege Lack Cohn expressed her concern to fac- tims." ulty members this week in a letter Hedrick assumes that this group calling professors to "argue com- of old scholars is merely expressing pellingly for the intellectual and the "the last gasp of the old guard. moral appropriateness of reflecting American higher education has a Of Air Time on WRTC and serving a pluralistic society." responsibility to reflect a pluralist show that they like." done at the station, such as organizing Cohn feels that this is the first society and to make all of us aware of -By Jane Reynolds- WRTC is one of the most active the stacks, but many people are not indication in a general movement elements different from ourselves in links between the college and the willing to do these things. Barr added against the new curriculum to make that society. I don't think universities News Staff Writer Hartford community. It is stated in that "people just can't say they want the "hidden agenda clearer, by attack- can be bastions of white male culture the station's FCC license, that WRTC a show and get a show; they have to ing the persons responsible for the — that is just part of a complicated is both a college and community sta- show some commitment and respect change. It is a direct attack on af- intersection of cultures and classes." Discontentment over the amount of student shows on WRTC has tion. for the equipment." firmative action." Likewise, Assistant Professor WRTC is trying to increase their WRTC is funded both by the school The goal of the NAS was to of English Sheila Fisher calls the prompted disagreement over the role of the College's radio station in the exposure on campus with promotions and the community. Whitston noted "redeem higher education from intel- accusations "conservative hysteria. like the Ska party they sponsored last that "the nature of the funding is a lectual and moral servitude to forces There is room enough [for both stud- Trinity community. According to WRTC budget director Steve weekend, and a station newsletter reflection of the role of the station as having little to do with the life of the ies] in any curriculum." She also a college and community group." believes that the new curricula is Whitston '89, there are "some people distributed in Mather. mind or the transmission of knowl- Station manager Jonas Katkavich, WRTC held its annual fundrais- edge." firmly rooted because it is part of an who disagree with [the radio station's] community involvement." '89 said that their best exposure was ing marathon from 7 p.m. on Novem- The group felt that the ngjfeg^ifr industry. "There is money to be made —'trie enterprise won't blow away." '"Program director Jen Barr'"'91 having their program printed in The ber 13 to 7 p.m, on November 20 with riculum materials "had repladld clas- Trinity Tripod. "Now maybe stu- the goal of raising $25,000. This is sical writers valued for their merit Assistant Professor of History noted that "the people who complain are people who turn on the radio sta- dents can tune in when they will the Hartford community's way of with writers who were valued be- Cheryl Greenberg said the New York appreciate what is being played." contributing to the station. cause they are women or members of Times article was something to be tion once, heara language they don't recognize, and then turn it off." Ban- As for complaints about the diffi- Katkavich stated that the money minority groups or were more sym- worried about. "It's dangerous that culty of getting student air time on from themarathon is used to purchase pathetic to what the scholars called people are saying this stuff...We've added that "our programming is di- verse enough that everyone can find a WRTC, Barr commented that "there "certain equipment that we usually the "radical agenda". They also re- gone too far to have them turn it back. was not enough interest at the begin- wouldn't be able to get from the ning of the semester. We were administration, such as an extra CD scrounging around for people to do player." Whitston added that "what shows." The morning rock show is we get from the marathon goes into usually the mostpopularprogram but, the agency account which allows us because it runs from 9 a.m. -\2 p.m. to buy capita! intensive items." when most people have classes, they The leaders of WRTC are proud of had trouble finding five people to do their status as an important link be- it. tween Trinity and the Hartford com- Another problem is that many munity. They want to retain their students who say they are interested identity as a non-commercial, non- in doing ashow don't follow through. profit radio station which provides There are other tasks which need to be alternative programming. New Fences To Protect A-Lot -By Matthew Burfiend- Rucci, made the recommendation that the fence be installed after a rash of News Staff Writer break-ins two months ago. "A-Lot was really getting hit," he said, "It's As part of a measure to protect location provides less lighting and cars on Summit St. from vandalism, camera coverage then any other lot, an 8-ft., chain-link fence is being making it a prime location for van- installed around A-Lot, the lot closest dals." to Vernon St. on the west side of Burglars are known to use the Summit St. The fence will enclose ridge behind Summit St. as an escape the lot on three sides, leaving only the route. The fence will deter such ac- street side open. tion by forcing the culprits onto the Trinity's "Homeless" gathered under Cook Arch to raise money last Friday night. Director of Security, Biagio lighted street, where they are much more likely to be observed. The security office hopes for a considerable decrease in the level of Hunger & Homelessness Week Successful vandalism on Summit St. as a result officials at lunch on Monday. Stu- self. The slide show previewed the erend Alan C. Tull led a discussion of this step. "We're going to measure -By Gabrielle Lawrence- dents expressed their views regard- pair's upcoming book which is filled about the public reaction to the mov ie the experience from it, " Rucci said, with vivid images of Hartford's at the time of its release and how the News Staff Writer ing hunger and homelessness, par- "and if the fences work, then natu- ticularly in Connecticut, to future homeless. movie still applies today. rally I'll recommend more.'' Representative Anthony Palermino, Tuesday was highlighted by a Community Outreach and Buildings and Grounds hired the During nationally recognized Senator Joseph Lieberman, and Presi- political roundtable, led by Professor ConnPIRG organized the Oxfam fast Montgomery Fence Company to Hunger and Homelessness Week last dentGeorgeBush. Over one hundred McKim Steele, to discuss Africa's on Thursday, when over three hundred handle the installation, at a price of week, various Trinity organizations letters were written and will be sent economic and political milieu which people gave up their meals at Marriot $3800. The work, however, is report- and individuals tried to educate the by ConnPIRG. has furthered the area's hunger prob- for the day. The money saved from edly 2-3 weeks behind schedule. community about the growing prob- Monday night ended on an lem. their meals will be going toward the Rucci points out the fencing is' lem of hunger and homelessness in emotional note with a slide show On Wednesday, the Progressive hungry and homeless.