Volume 8, Number A College At Lincoln Center, Fordham University, New York October 8-October 2% 1986 Council Gives Up Responsibility On New Curriculum Faculty To Decide In Referendum By Lisa Volpe need to be involved.. .but in matters of cur- riculum, particularly when we're talking'about the Amid confusion and heated debate, the College major issue of core curriculum, a faculty which Council voted to turn the decision on the proposed averages 20 years of teaching... happen to be the core curriculum over to the faculty through a expert witnesses on this matter." referendum, giving up its authority in the matter. "I think the report is complicated enough," According to CLC Dean William Tanksley, Chair- argued Professor Grafton Mouen. "I can't imagine man of the College Council, the Coancil's motion the faculty members, in the course of 45 minutes, for a faculty referendum "is not staying it approves to come up with something which we, the College !ory Comes To Fordham Page 3 the Mellon Committee's proposal, it just means Council, haven't." we're passing the ultimate decision to the faculty." "This is the body that should be deciding on the The Council also agrees that a student referendum proposal," Mouen said, "not giving away that may be held by the USG. power." The faculty must now review the Mellon Com- Assistant Dean of Students, Normand Parenteau Faculty Vents Frustration mittee's core curriculum proposal and formulate suggested that the Council motion for a student a recommendation, which will be given to Univer- referendum as well as a faculty referendum. sity President Rev. Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J. The Humanities Division Chairperson Rev. John J. At Meeting With Dean vote of the faculty.. .will be submitted to the Presi- Adam, S.J., also a Council member, disagreed dent for the President to submit, with his com- with Parenteau's request for a student referendum. By Mary Kay Linge lems in its next issue. ments, to the Board of Trustees," Tanksley said. "I wouldn't expect the students to try and review Dr. Margaret Lamb (Associate Professor of If approved, the Mellon proposal will unify the the educative system," Fr. Adam said at the At a meeting designed "so that we can get to English and Media Studies): [Contrary to what university's curriculum, thus eliminating Excel as meeting. "You don't need students to comment on know each other a little bit better," according to Tanksley had said in his speech, University Presi- adivision. (See related stpry.);;»,,.»jJ!j^Sl. ,, curriculum." CLC Dean William Tanksley, the faculty voiced dent Rev. Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J.] said at the Fac- College Council members disagreed strongly as "Well, then" responded non-traditional represen- feelings of neglect by the Rose Hill administration, ulty Senate meeting last month that the dorm to who should have the power to decide on the pro- tative Chris Kanelba, "you don't need students to despair about the future of the college, and lack would probably not be completed by 1988.. .It's posed curriculum. Some felt that the faculty should come to the school. You should haye input from of communication with Tanksley himself. so crucial that we know now what's going on... decide, while others thought it was the College the students to see if you can have programs they A short address by Tanksley, in which he and that's very hard without a continuous contact Council's responsibility. The question of whether want. stressed that CLC is "on the edge of getting the at- with the faculty, who really do want to help... or not there should be student input also arose. A "If students don't like the programs," Kanelba tention of the people who have the power to allow we're a resource you're overlooking. lengthy debate ensued. said, "then they won't come here." us to shape our own future,'' soon turned into a Tanksley: The difficulty we all have [with last "The real issue," said Tanksley, "is which body According to the minutes from the April 14th question-and-answer period that lasted over an year's strategic planning effort] is that, now that is in the best position to make the decision [on cur- Council meeting, a special committee of students hour. it's on another level, what will be the response [of riculum]. I think that, in many matters, students continued on page 15 The gathering on September 30, which had more the administration].. .but the ice jam has been of the air of a cocktail party than the first meeting broken, though what they will say about it is a of the (acuity with Tanksley since last fall, featured mystery to me... I don't have specific information Proposed Core Curriculum: What It All Means hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. They want us to about what the next step is until I get some specific eat, not talk," said a faculty member who did not response from the people who can say... [But] I p those credits with their peer group, art Option want to be identified. "Isn't this a lot like fiddling simply don't have the time or the energy or, frankly, CMunittee (also known as the Task Force on u^tretainssomc of tlw Excel ProgranfSSpirit, while Rome bums?" asked another. the inclination to sit down and meet with each of Core Carrknhnn) will, if approved, eliminate The core would end with a Capstone Seminai in which all students would discuss what thej The following is a partial transcript of some of the task forces (which formulated CLCs five-year ffcw adult-eatry Excel Program and the Frcslt- had learned in the core courses. the faculty's questions and Tanksley's replies. The plan]. jttn Interdisciplinary Program. In being "new A Faculty Core Committee would overseetbe Observer will begin an in-depth look at these prob- continued on page 15 and unified," lite proposal would cover All high (chord- nnd adult-entry students, and would entire program, Responsible for staffing, replace alt existing proficiency and area re- scheduling, and advising, the faculty Commit- quirements. The Ufc Experience Program tee would have ten members; Clubs Call For Activities Fee Increase maid continue, and the Committee report Director of the Excel Program stresses that all credits earned in previous pro- 4 Excel Committee members By Deanna Hayman not now operate effectively. grams like Escel are Irrevocable. Director of the Bridge Program (whicl Observer Editor-in-Chief Ian Baer said that he A 56-crodit Core is proposed by the Commit* advises high school entry students) CLC club leaders have expressed general was satisfied with the allocations, since it will toe. A "tracking" system would give adult 4 Bridge Committee members satisfaction in the Student Activities Budget Com- enable the Observer to lease a typesetting machine. student* the possibility of taking the first 28 of mittee's allocations this Fall. However, they have According to Baer, the Observer would have to stressed the need for an increase in the student ac- shut down if it didn't get the machine. Emergency COURSE CREDITS tivities fee, as well as in college enrollments, to Medical Services Vice-President Peter Vbsscur Entry Interdisciplinary Courses: enlarge the amount of money in the budget. said that he was satisfied with the allocations, since a. "History arid Society" 6 Lisa Guido, president of Sigma Alpha Zeta EMS was able to purchase all the equipment it b. "Language and Knowing" 6 (EAZ), said, "Initially, I and the executive board needed. Gaelic Society President Gerri Corrigan Writing Requirement: of EAZ were disappointed with our budget alloca- said that she was also satisfied, but that some clubs Current "English Composition" (4 credits) or two 2~cr«dtt courses covering the tions, considering the activeness of our club." But, should consider the budget problem and try to equivalent material - , she said, "It's really important that club leaders work together when requesting funds from such Mathematics Requirement: realize the problems the SABC has to face. She a small amount. United Student Government "Applied Mathematics" or other approved coarse (no change from current cited the main problem as the different between President Laura Dohrmann expressed satisfaction, requirement) the amount of money in the budget and the increas- too, even though part of the funds for the USG- Science Requirement: , - ing number of recognized clubs. sponsorcd Club Day were cut. a. "Pcrsfiertives in Physics and Astronomy" or "Perspectives in Chemistry and The allocations, which were announced last According to Guido, there are now two or three JJiochemistry" 4 week, were made fora touil amount of $23,185.93, times more clubs than ever before, yet Ihc Student b. "Perspectives in Life Science" 4 according to Assistant Dean of Students Normand Activities Fee has never been raised. "Relative lo 28 Credits Parcntcau. other campuses, our activities fee is ridiculously Democratic Club President Kenneth Schwartz low," she said. Corrigan, spokesman for the Enter- All of the courses in these 28 credits would have sections designated Excel Program* This is to allow expressed disappointment with Ihc allocalion.v tainment Programming Board, said that at Rose adult students t«> be in classes with their age peers. Schwartz, whose club requested $8474.25 and Hill, one club, (he Campus Activities Board, received $37.75, siad he was "dissapoimed. more receives more money than Ihc CIJC'S student ac- COUKSti wild the process of allocations Ihun with the |ac- tivities budget gels for the whole semester. "Clubs Arts Requirement tual | allocations. the emphasis is apparently arc requesting more and more money every year Social Sciences Requirement , , more on mixers :iml such events than publications" because of Ihc variety of things they would like lo Institute's Requirement: "American Pluralism" „' ' t .' cover.