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Hughes Rudd
on campus.
See p.6.
JANUARY' 20. If78
Simpson stresses fundamentals to faculty
By NELSON d. ROSS
and SKIP HULETT
Chancellor George L Simpson Jr., called for a
University-wide study of fundamental problems in education in
a speech delivered to the Arts and Sciences faculty Thursday.
Simpson, on campus at the request of the A&S Faculty
Senate, addressed a crowd of about 200 faculty members at the
law school auditorium. University President Fred C. Davison
and other administration officials also attended the meeting
Simpson referred to the current status of the core change
proposal suggested recently by the Board of Regents Transfer
of Credit Committee as “evolving and indicated that he thought
three months would be long enough for all the institutions to
complete their studies of the proposal He emphasized the
proposal has evolved for several years
Speaking emotionally at times, the chancellor implored the
faculty to deal with the issue of basic skills.
“I’M GOING TO GUESS that at least 50 percent of the students
on this campus are in serious need of the basic skills I’ve
mentioned," Simpson said Simpson cited the decline in national
Scholastic Achievement Test <SAT> scores and scores on the
Regents Exam as evidence of the need for increased emphasis
on basic skills, such as reading and writing.
"All I'm asking is that you and the system not ignore this
problem which we all admit exists; it's getting monstrous It's
a Maginot Line situation," he said.
Simpson's visit was prompted by faculty concern over core
curriculum content and their role on formulating a system-wide
proposal Both the College of Arts and Sciences and the School
Photo by WINGATE DOWNS
Chancellor George Simpson addresses faculty
of Journalism passed motions at special meetings in December
asserting the right of faculty to determine curriculum
Simpson indicated a change in the core curriculum should be
a “campus-wide decision.'' “At the presidents' meeting
tomorrow I will ask that each institution take up this question
and that a complete (study) be made "
In December, the Faculty Senate also urged action on the
core change proposal be delayed until the faculty had an
opportunity “for serious consideration and consultation" on the
proposal.
Simpson also delivered a prepared statement explaining the
nature of the core curriculum committee, and the history of the
present proposal for a University System-wide core curriculum
Simpson cited several assumptions necessary for
consideration of a system-wide core curriculum
- That an effective means of transfer from institution to
institution hy students without unnecessary loss of credit and
time is desired by all institutions
- That achievement of this result requires some compromise
in the individual preferences of the various institutions
—That this division of the core curriculum and the allocation
of classroom time into four areas of humanities, social sciences,
sciences and the major area represented a judgement, however
broad, as to how a student should spend his time during the
first two years
Professor Richard Lafleur raised the first question to the
chancellor, asking for the motivation behind the proposed
curriculum change Lafleur based his question on a survey
conducted by the humanities subcommittee of the curriculum
committee which indicated in 1975 overall acceptance of the
present core curriculum.
IN RESPONSE, Simpson further stressed his contention the
problem is a fundamental one which must be dealt with.
Lafleur then asked Simpson why the results of the survey had
not been considered during the recent deliberations on the
curriculum change
Simpson said. "I can’t answer your question in any detail as
to this process involved in this recommendation (the
curriculum change 1 hoped Dr. (George A.) Christen berry would
be here because he would have that information, but lor now I
cannot answer that ”
Another faculty member told Simpson, “the pre-medical
program will be jeopardized if this proposal is adopted ” He
stressed the pressure a uniform curriculum would place on
pre-med students who must complete a majority of their
courses, including five three-quarter sequences, prior to their
senior year in or<Jer to take medical college examinations.
SIMPSON REPLIED there was no reason why clear cut
problems of this sort could not be solved “I’m not inflexible.
I’m not trying to ruin the curriculum." Simpson said “The
problem is there are so many apparently good cases of your
sort," he said
Professor Joseph Berngan asked Simpson, concerning the
approach to fundamental problems in reading and writing,
“Isn’t this a problem for the high schools'’" The question
elicited applause from the majority of those present
Simpson replied he felt it was a fundamental problem which
the whole University system shoud deal with
The question and answer session came to an end after
Simpson answered a question about the University’s role in
determining curriculum A faculty member asked Simpson
whether, in view of the fact the University assumes a major
role in the system, it shouldn’t have a major role in
determining curriculum
Simpson replied. “In my opinion, the University of Georgia
runs the core curriculum for the system ”
ERA debate topic
By BRIAN O’SHEA
Staff writer
Martha Gaines and Lee Wysong battled Wednesday night over an issue which has
kept them on opposing sides for several years.
Neither was hurt because the battle was a verbal one concerning the merits of the
ERA
The debate was sponsored by The Young Democrats of Clarke County in
conjunction with the Clarke County Issue Forum
Gaines, who spoke in support of the ERA. is a University graduate and a member of
the Nation] Organisation of Women She has campaigned for ERA since 1970.
Wysong. a Marietta businesswoman, has been a member of Stop ERA since 1973.
TIIE TERMS of the amendment are often a source of confusion, according to
Gaines “You often hear people talking about the fine print of ERA," but there is
none, she said
The amendment states as follows; “Equality of rights under the law shall not be
denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex*. The
Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of
this article.”
Wysong cites the vague wording as one of the amendment's biggest drawbacks.
“The proponents themselves do not agree on what the ERA will do. so how can they
explain it? None of us will know what the consequences will be until it gets to the
Supreme Court for interpretation." she said.
“A constitutional amendment is not like a simple law which can be repealed when it
is found undesirable In order to get rid of it,we'd have to go through the same lengthy
process; coming out of Congress and being ratified by three-fourths of the states.”
Wysong said
WHILE ADMITTING the document is vague. Gaines sees a strong need for
ratification. "There are a great many laws on the books that provide for ridding this
nation of the disriminatory effects It’s not enough. There are some areas that are yet
untouched," she said
“We have laws on the books now that protect women in every area as Ms. Gaines
told you—employment, education, and credit In cases where these laws have been
implemented and court-tested, they have been very effective," Wysong said
“I’VE HAD A COUPLE of girls tell me they’ve been discriminated against, but they
didn't want to say anything, they were afraid to file a complaint. Well, they would
still have to do this under ERA because it has no enforcing legislation
“If these girls lacked the courage to stand up for their rights, then they have no
business saying anything about it,” Wysong said.
Wysong also believes the ERA would "bring about centralized government and
more bureaucracy, costing more tax money so that our take-home pay would be less
and less "
Gaines countered, saying. “I think it’s important to remember that what the states
will lose under the Equal Rights Amendment will be its right to discriminate.”
Under ERA. those rights which are "beneficial will be extended to the other sex and
that which is penalizing will be wiped out," she said
See ERA p. 2
Lee Wysong speaks on ERA
Library salaries,
jobs change asked
By PATRICIA TEMPLETON
Staff writer
The personnel director of the University has proposed a restructuring of job
descriptions and salaries at the University libraries to ease tensions between
classified employees and professional personnel there
The proposal by Director of Personnel Services Carlton James would increase the
number of levels of classified employees from three to five and recommends
adjustments in salary scales
The three levels of classified employees in the library now are library assistant I,
library assistant II and the library specialist James proposal calls for the
establishment of three levels of library assistants and two levels of library
specialists
Of most concern is the role of library specialis’ James recommended that changes
involving these classifed employees take place immediately The changes in the
library assistant position will not go into effect until July 1. when a revamping of the
entire University classified employee system is expected to take place
THE POSITION of library specialist has been a source of controversy since its
inception in 1974 Many specialists, who are the highest ranking classified personnel in
the library, feel they perform duties equal to the work of professional employees, but
their pay scales are considerably lower
Library specialists receive a base salary of $8800 a year The pay scale for
professional librarians begins at $12,900 a year
James' proposals were tentatively approved at a meeting Tuesday with four of the
six assistant directors of the library and Dr Virginia Trotter, vice president for
academic affairs
LIBRARY DIRECTOR Warren Boes was out of town and did not attend the Tuesday
meeting
James' recommendation included specific salary figures for the new classified
positions, but he refused to disclose the amounts until Trotter and Boes have had a
chance to review the recommendations
However, he did say he has recommended adjustments in at least some of the
specialists' salaries be made immediately
Trotter said Wednesday she expects to meet with Boes soon after he gets back in
town to review the recommended job descriptions and to discuss the possibility of
making immediate adjustments in salary
“IT'S HARD to make budget adjustments in the middle of the year, but that doesn't
mean that it can’t be done," Trotter said
It is because the specialists problems have been a sore spot in the library for so
long that James has recommended immediate changes in the position
“We need to give those people 'the specialists* just a little ray of hope," James
See LIBRARY, p.2
Watergate investigation
story Brokaw’s hardest
Bv JOEL BURKE
and HILL KRl'EGER
Former President Richard M.
Nixon's coverup of the Watergate
affair was the hardest story he ever
had to do, Tom Brokaw, NBC Today
Show host, said here yesterday
Between bites of strawberry short
cake after his address to the
Association of Georgia Broadcasters,
Brokaw said, "Here we were faced
with a man who could have potentially
overthrown the constitution if he had
been given the chance "
Rumors have circulated in the
media community recently that
Brokaw is soon to be tapped for a
news anchorman spot
Who will replace John Chancellor
and David Brinkley on the NBC
Nightly News has not been decided
yet. although Brokaw says he is a
prime contender for the job
"I've just about reached the top of
the broadcast ladder in a short period
of time, but 1 doubt ) will continue at
what I'm doing indefinitely.” he
added “I may teach later on. plus
continue doing documentaries.”
"Money is the main concern of
television executives and variety
shows offer the most money.'' Brokaw
said, adding he doubted network
television would increase prime-time
news coverage "I don't think people
want to give up Laverne and Shirley,"
he added
No single person controls broadcast
news content. Brokaw said
A GROUP of people compile and
edit the NBC Nightly News "No one
person controls the broadcast,' he
said
He wakes every weekday morning
at 4 45 to prepare for the Today Show
In addition, yesterday Brokaw had
two books he had to read for today's
show "I'm also planning to anchor
two Nightly News Shows this week,
he added
However. Brokaw still finds time to
carouse with his New York friends
"I've found I don't need too much
sleep I stay up with all the
grownups,” he quipped
On some mornings it's a little
harder to get up. "I had a hangover
earlier this week ” Brokaw said
HE SAID he doesn't think he is a
celebrity "I'm a newsman." he said
His speech centered around the
Watergate years, the role of the press
in today's society, and the press' job
in Washington, D C
In closing, he noted something
David Brinkley said about the press.
"There are nany countries where
leaders have seized power and
muzzled the press, but there has never
been a press that has seized power an
muzzled the government "
Ptm»o by CHARLIE REGISTER
Tom Brokaw dines al University
Davison letter pledges
improved safety status
By TOM BARTON
City editor
A letter from University President
Fred C. Davison promising to improve
fire safety standards at two buildings on
campus was received Wednesday by
Athens Fire Chief Tom Eberhart
A fire department spokesman said the
letter mentioned no specific date for the
improvements, but pledged to remove the
present hazards “as soon as possible ”
“That was good enough for us." he
said
The letter stems from an article that
appeared Tuesday in The Red and Black,
which described numerous safety viola
tions in the Graduate Studies Building
and the Biological Sciences Building
“Under no circumstances will I allow
my people to go into either of these
buildings which could place their lives in
danger," Eberhart was reported as
saying
"We will do our best to control, from
the outside, any situation that may arise,
but that is all unless the situation
improves,” he said
A JOINT inspection conducted by city
fire marshals and the University’s Public
Safetv Division listed 60 instances in the
Graduate Studies Building winch consti
tuted either violations of the Georgia
State Fire Law. or hazards which were
not specific violations of the law
Most of the violations occured on the
seventh floor, which houses laboratories
for the biochemistry department
The inspection reports also cited 35
violations on the third, fourth and eighth
floors of the Biological Sciences Building
“The improvements have to be done by
the department head." Director of Public-
Safety Edward T Kassinger said
Thursday “We just do the inspections
We can't tell the researcher how to run
his lab ”
Dr Harry D Peck, chairman of the
biochemistry department and acting
chairman of the biological sciences
division was unavailable for comment
Thursday
But Peck told The Red and Black
earlier this week there was a “genuine
problem ' in the safety situation which
he attributed to a lack of space for the
biochemistry department
VIOLATIONS NOTED by fire inspec
tors in the two buildings included
hallways cluttered with gas cylinders,
trash, chemical storage refrigerators and
centrifui es
In one instance in the biochemistry
laboratories, flammable liquids were
stored in open areas in five-gallon metal
containers State fire law requires such
substances to be stored in special
explosive-proof cabinets, or in one-gallon
safety containers
Improperly secured gas cylinders were
also found both inside and outside the
laboratories In case of fire, the gas
cylinders would become “potential cruise
missiles." Kassinger said