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THE REV. Morris Brown of Philadelphia Second Bishop Of The African Methodist Episcopal Church Of The United States. STUDENT ENROLLMENT DECREASES IN AUC PRES.SMITH TELLS STUDENTS Changes Ahead For Morris Brown by Lousia McCullough February 25, 1985 marked a first for many MBC students, especially Freshman. For the first time of the 1984-85 school year there was a meeting for the student body. To the surprise of many there was a great show of interest in the meeting (espeical- ly among the men of the cam- pus). Many came to see what changes were taking place and others came to be well informed about the mis-information cir culating on campus. Still others came to voice their opinions about many of the proposed changes taking place and find out what can be done to change the problems of the school. Though many came for various reasons, the president ap proached the meeting very differently. President Smith opened the discussion but limited it only to the proposed academic changes, to clarify what is being done with the academic program. He began by telling the stu dent body about the directives given to him by the Board of Trustees which is called a man date. Morris Brown has a budget that needs to be balanced. Money has been borrowed from the school's endowment and it’s almost gone. Through the years Morris Brown has grossed 1.4 million dollars in expenses that exceeds its income. An ad ditional problem arises when, in this past year, enrollment has dropped from 1800 students to 1000. So here is where the money problem begins. To help correct this. President Smith has decided upon many changes. “For the time being the college will discontinue offering some course work,” he said. Many do not especially agree with this idea, but, as the Presi dent stated, “I’ve got a mandate to do what I feel is right for the institution at this time." No, the President is not saying that he is going to eliminate majors. What is being eliminated are those departments which cover the instruction given to students in their major. Many students are not only worried about having to take their major classes in the other AUC in stitutions but are worried about those instructors and professors that not only teach well but bring a sense of pride to the school. The President says he is worried about the faculty that has to be let-go from the institution. He also said that he himself does not have a contract! To further explain such academic changes Smith went on to say, "The number of majors (in each department) dictates what we are doing." !f there are not enough majors, that is where the cuts will be. Smith spoke of Emory University and the Un iversity of Cincinatti where they have cut out whole schools simply because the number of degrees given a year dictated the need for closure. While everyone pondered the changes and cuts that would be made President Smith went on to tell those in attendance the courses of study that will be strengthened. They were Educa tion, the Sciences, HRIM, Business Administration, Nur sing, Computer Sciences, and Criminal Justice. In essence, Smith said that the school was going to cut back. Though we had some eliminations those areas that had no change as far as elimination was concerned, were going to be strengthened. As President Smith said, "They're going to be top quality." This Student Body meeting was more like a briefing, a limited discussion of the changes that were to be made. At the close of the meeting administrators who take part in determining campus and college life made comments. They were, Mrs. O’Neal; Dean of Student Affairs, Dt. Charles Greene; Associate Dean of Student Af fairs, and Dr. Gloria Anderson; Dean of Academic Affairs. The Student Government President, David Kinchen said the final remarks and closed by saying, "The primary reason for having this meeting was to give you (the students) first hand information and let you hear it from Dr. Smith and other administrators here." Some of the upper level courses in the following programs will be temporarily suspended: Art Business Education ’Education (Psychology) English Foreign Language (French & Spanish) Georgraphy History Home Economics Music Philosophy Physical Education ’Education majors will be cer tified through the State ap proved individual certification process. by Hedren H. Johnson President Reagan, now serving his second term in office, has several ideas in mind on how to decrease the national debt. One area under the cutting edge will be financial aid for college students. What does this mean to the typical Morris Brown College student? To find that out, the Observer interviewed Irene B. Jones, Director of Student Finan cial Aid for the college. WO: WITH REAGAN IN OF FICE AGAIN, WILL THERE BE ANY FURTHER CUTS IN FINAN CIAL AID? FOR by Laura Green Morris Brown College is again finding itself facing a declining enrollment for the second semester of the 1984-85 school year. According to Ms. Corrine Taylor, Manager of Student Services the enrollment for the second semester is 1044 which is a decrease from last semester’s enrollment of 1068. "We atways\ have a large enrollment the first semester of each school year and a decrease the second semester,” said Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor said with the changes being made under the present administration more students will be attracted to come to Morris Brown. "We are now seeing students on an appointment basis. Deal ing with students or one to one makes it more private. We dis cuss all charges and payments and put everything in writing. Students seem to be more positive." Ms. Taylor said. Ms. Taylor said things are looking better for Morris Brown including the problems of at titudes with students and the Administration. "Working with students on a Jones: So far, I know about two proposed changes for this fiscal year /1985-86/. He /Reagan/ plans to put a cutoff of $32,500 on the amount of money a student's parents can make in order to be eligible for the National Student Direct Loan. WO; SO, IF A STUDENT’S PARENTS MAKE OVER THAT AMOUNT, THEN THAT STU DENT WONT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE A LOAN? Jones: That's correct. The other proposed change is in the total amount of federal financial aid a student can receive. They /Reagan’s Administration/ are 1985 more personal basis helps to ease some of the problems with attitudes,” said Ms. Taylor. When asked about the changes within the Business Office Ms, Taylor said the Business Office is now the Finance Office with Mr. Charles W. Moore as Vice President of Finance. "With everyone working together, Morris Brown is building into a better institution. Also with the many changes being made students and the staff have a positive outlook toward the future,” Ms. Taylor said. However, declining enroll ment is not only a problem at Morris Brown. According to the registrars at Atlanta University, their enrollment is 1017 for the second semester. This is also true at Spelman which had an enroll ment of 1602 students the first semester to a decrease this semester of 1,568. Morehouse College had a rather large enroll ment of 2,300 students the first semester to a decrease this semester of 1,976. Clark College registrars said they are not at liberty to release enrollment figures. talking about putting a cap of $4,000 on the total amount of federal financial aid a student can get. That would be disastrous for Morris Brown. WO: A LOT OF STUDENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM WITH YOUR OFFICE. COULD YOU TELL ME WHY THEY MIGHT GET THAT FEEL ING? Jones: I have been accused of having a bad attitude. But, I see myself in perspective, and I don't think I have an attitude problem. I think that most of the com- (Continued, pg. 6) FINANCIAL AID DIRECTOR SAYS REAGAN POLICIES WILL HURT STUDENTS