Sewanee Purple,1989-90

February 5. 1990 Volume 167. Issue 6 The Sewanee Purple The University of the South Sewanee, Tennessee 37375 Details 'Up in the Air' Curriculum Changes Unlikely Next Year of curriculum reform proposals, debates, It appears, then, that the report the "A Very Early Draft of Some and studies came last week when the faculty approved in May 1989-onc Proposals" to alter undergraduate College faculty, in a "non-binding straw which proposed major renovations in distribution requirements and reduce vote," an undergraduate distribution requirements and reduced written the fall There is little chance that any major endorsed faculty workload was in faculty and student courscloads--is not alterations cither in faculty courscload or courseload of four courses each semester of 1988. If students arc and faculty arc instead of the current load of five. precisely what the majority of the given fewer courses to take and to teach, in the requirements for graduation will faculty would like to sec implemented. go into effect for the 1990-1991 What makes this vote significant is they will have more lime to do better "The details arc up in the air," said academic year, according to various that, last spring, the plan the faculty work in the courses they arc involved Poller. "The overall will of ihe faculty, University officials and sources. approved "in principle" , had in, proponents of the plan say. in terms of the direction of the thinking "To have a coherent and complete undergraduates taking four courses one "The poinl is that students are five on this, is clear. But the details arc up plan to instituted in '90-'91 would be semester and the next semester. serving so many masters and mistresses in the air. difficult," said Professor Bran Potter, "That, any way you measure it, is a that Utcy arc not able to cope with all smaller of courses than the "It's going to be very difficult to responsibilities of five courses," who is currently chairman of a group number the have a new curriculum in the short studying implementing the changes. faculty approved last year," said Poller Potter said. "The intent is to make term," he said. "The possibility of some incremental in an interview last week, "I view the courses mean more to students." The proposed changes have been a changes, however, is open." vote as very significant, but I don't focus of debate since a document entitled see Status page 4 The latest development in the series know what the ramifications arc." Questions Some Costs Faculty Report Targets Budget Problems Theology, meanwhile, there have been student recruitment equally impressive total admissions budget is divided by the no faculty increases since 1979, records as those achieved by our competition." number of students who ultimately show, and the seminary faculty will "If we arc spending amounts matriculate here, the average cost per comparable with Davidson and student comes out to be well over A two-page report scrutinizing begin the fall of 1990 with two fewer Washington and Lee on our admissions $2,000, a figure the committee believes certain aspects of both the University's members than they had in 1979. office, we should expect the same very underscores some ovcrstaffing in the current budget and the one proposed for These institutional support staff high_ degree of success in a larger admissions office as well. 1990-91 was submitted to the College appointments include a new executive applicant pool and a steady A final budgetary complaint lodged faculty at its Jan. 24 meeting by the assistant to the regents, two vice improvement in ihe calibre of those in the committee's report deals with the College Budget Priorities Committee. presidents, two legal counsels, and nine students accepted," Reishman said. Citing what it refers to as "several persons in University relations. Many Reishman pointed out that, if the See Budget page 5 problems in the University's budget of these positions, the report adds, "are disbursements," the committee's report highly salaried and hence expensive." examines briefly several points of u thi; University fiscal policy that the Reishman said, that the < Faculty Votes Yes to committee sees as partly responsible for expressed the greatest concern. recent budgetary constraints. "The fact that the growth of ihe Wilkins "We see these budgetary problems University administration is so Upperclass as having a direct impact upon the life disproportionate with that of ihe of the College, and we are pleased that College faculty—not only in the number amount budgeted for Wiik our committee is able to bring these of people hired but also in the amount Scholarships that was being spent fiscal issues before the faculty for its of money spent on ihcm-is something exclusively on those students chosen : consideration," said Professor of English that does not bode well for this A majority of Ihe College faculty Wilkins Scholars as entering freshmen, John V. Reishman, who serves on the institution," Reishman said. otcd to award at least three "For several years, they ended up committee. The report was also signed "Any expense outside campus life upperclassmen Wilkins Scholarships in with more Wilkins Scholars at the by Professors John Flynn and Eric takes away from it," Reishman added, 1 December meeting, and nominations freshmen level than were budgeted for, Ellis. and went on to say that the continued for those scholarships will be sought Croom said. "For that reason, th "If we as a faculty arc to make growth of the administration would i, according to University officials. scholarships had not been available for sound decisions which affect the The practice of awarding some upperclassmen." College, we must do so within the its own interests, distancing it from ihe landing juniors and seniors in the According to Croom, ihe question context of the University's budget, and affairs of the College, thereby creating College a Wilkins Scholarship was was brought up of whether "it is a if problems for the College exist in this what he termed "a separate caste." discontinued last year because of use of money for already comn budget, they must be made known," The money spent running the financial considerations, said Professor students." He mentioned that the Reishman added. admissions office was another concern Charles R. Perry, Associate Dean of the individual student's need may make Heading the three-point list expressed in the report. College, last week. some difference in the selection process, In the past, deserving but not a great difference. "observations" is an observation that, expensive," the report says, and it notes upperclassmen in the College, who "It will be better to have a way to between 1979 and 1989, there were 22.5 that the admissions office budget of fulfilled the criteria for the Wilkins reward people, nonetheless," Croom additions to University institutional S65 1,000 is said to be comparable with program, were sometimes nominated 10 said. "I hope we can get more money support staff of the University. other private colleges with which be Wilkins Scholars," Perry said. and more scholarships." During the same period of time, Sewanee competes for prospective According to University Provost The amount budgeted now is around however, there have only been 9.5 students. The report goes on to say, Frederick Croom, the argument against $200,000 per class. The endowment additions the College faculty, the however, that in light of ihis ample cinslaling the upperclass nominations to SEE WILKINS PAGE 2 report says. At [he School of budget "we should expect results in that there is a limited, certain Page 2 The Sewanee Purple February 5. 1990 NEWS 1991 Commencement a Week Early Twelve Men 1990 Academic Calendar Set Pledge Aftei used to start later in August, institute a that spring break is the proper length, two-day Fall Break and end earlier in so the best place to remove the extra six Second Rush December. In the Easier Semester days from is ihc end of school. This six to come early end will hopefully give students an The academic calender for the 1990- 1990, the days were used January 27 advantage in getting and 91 school year has jusl been published; back a week later in January lhan in the summer jobs give the faculty more time for research the class of 1991 will graduate on May 1988 and 1989 semesters. and travel. 12, 1991, a week earlier lhan the past "Starling on the 17th oT January few years. resulted in greater boredom for the Other important dates for the 1990- 91 school The earlier Commencement was students over Christmas vacation," said year are: August 27, Advent Professor Charles R. Perry, Associate Registration; Octobcrl9-24, Fall Break; made possible by the institution of 55- Twelve men pledged fraternities ot Dean of the College. While Ihc 20-day November 21-26, Thanksgiving Break; minulc class periods and starting earlier Saturday, Jan. 27, after participating is shorter December 11, Last Day of classes; in January lhan in the 1989-90 academic Christmas break is the 27 day the second semester rush, popularly break in 1989-90, it is similar in December 19, Lasl Day of Exams; known as "Football and Soccer" rush length to ihc 1987-88 and 1988-89 January 9, Easter Registration; March The institution of 55-minute class Of the five fraternities receiving n periods saved six breaks. 13-25, Spring Break; April 30, Last day days per semester. In members, Alpha Tau Omega took ihi It is the assumption of the Deans of Classes; Last day of exams. the Advent Semester, these days were May 8, largest number by pledging six m The program will culminate in a will be accepted, and all interested Alpha Tau Omega : Ladson Han tour of the great cilics of Western undergraduates are urged to contact ard, N.C.

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