Lycoming College Report, November 1983

              LYCOMING COLLEGE REPORT November, 1983
Trustees adopt budget; take steps toward science building
Lycoming's Board of Trustees adopled a SlO.2 million
operating budget for the 1984 fiscal year and took two
preliminary steps toward the construction of a new science
building at its annual fall meeting in late October on
Lycoming President, and gave preliminary approval to a
1985 fiscal-year budget of SlO. 6 million. The latter
involved altenng Lycoming's budget-planning cycle.
The F^84 budget of $10, 230, 467 is approximately $1
million more than the 1983 fiscal-year budget, and
approximately SlOO.OOO more than the tentative FY84
budget approved by trustees m April It reflects
Lycoming's increase in tees announced early this year,
The preliminary steps toward a science building include
hiring an architect to draw up a proposed plan tor it, and
voting to seek out a fund-raising consultant to complete a
study of the feasibility of conducting a capital campaign to
finance construction.
Hayes, Large, Sucklirtg, and Fruth, of Altoona, is the
architect chosen to draw up a bluepnnl for the structure.
The firm is the designer of Lycoming's Physical Education
and Recreation Center; it also converted Hilltop
Gymnasium into the Fine Arts Center The cost of the
firm's services is not to exceed $10,000
The cost of the feasibility study is not to exceed $20,000,
whichever consultant is selected. A search for the fund-raising
counsel has begun. At the same time, the possibility
of using a la.x-tree bond issue to provide partial funding for
the science building will be explored with investment
bankers.
Dr. Blumer was re-elected President unanimously
Renewed at the fall meeting of the board, the position
operates on a one-year contract. The President is now in
his eighth year at Lycoming; he will begin his ninth year in
July
Under the previous budget cycle, preliminary approval
of an operating budget came at the spnng meeting of the
trustees, with (inal approval at the tall meeting. Under the
new budget-planning calendar, preliminary approval now
comes in the fall, final approval in the spring. The change,
thus, allows Lycoming to enter the fiscal year in luly with
a linal budget, instead ot waiting until the fall For final
spending approval.
In other action, trustees approved a construction plan to
improve the accessibility of campus buildings to
handicapped students To improve accessibility, work
crews will follow the compliance guidelines of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which guarantees all
handicapped persons full access to facilities. Work i*^
starting immediately, and will be completed over the next
several years
Trustees also agreed to hire a consultant to evaluate the
study completed by Lycoming treasurer William L. Baker
on a new campus telephone system to replace outdated
equipment Cost of a new communications system is
estimated at approximately $500,000,
The board also heard reports from the President,
treasurer, and its various committees, which met prior to
the full board meeting
The President's message dealt pnmarily with the
recently completed Five-Year Action Plan, which lists
specific goals and objectives for Lycoming over the next
five years. Among the goals listed in the document are the
construction of a new science building, a stable
enrollment, a curriculum built upon a strong general
education program, financial stability accompanied by a
broadened base of support, and active alumni
participation in college activities.
After meeting in the Long Administration Building
conference room, trustees adjourned for lunch to the
private dining room in Weriz Student Center, Their next
meeting is April 27,
Education secretary
scores 'careerism'
Condemning "pragmatic vocattonalism and careerism
in higher education. Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell
said recently that some American colleges are in danger of
becoming little more than "glorified work-preparation
institutes
The secretary called lor Amencan colleges to resist such
specialization and to insist on "a solid liberal-arts
education that includes healthy doses of philosophy
literature, history, theology, math, and science
"
Speaking in Toronto to a joint session of the American
Council on Education and the Association of Universities
and Colleges of Canada, the secretary warned that
pressures for "job-related education " could plunge
American higher education into a crisis as severe as the one
afflicting public schools
Amencan schools have drifted away from their central
educational purposes. Bell said, quoting the study released
recently by the National Commission on Excellence in
Education
"We may be witnessing a similar dnfting away from the
prime purpose of higher education," he said. "We ought to
be examining whether we have distorted the priorities of
our colleges and universities
""
The secretary said he was concerned about tfie trend
toward earlier and every-earlier entry of college students
mio job-related specialization, ' often at the expense of the
arlsand humanities,
"We must beware of the crowding out of student time
for the liberal arts because of the professional schools'
propensity to demand more and more time of students."'
he said.
Some colleges have a "virtual obsession with turning out
what Waller Lippmarm called efficient careerists". " Bell
said. Their concern with )ob-related education "might well
lead to a decline in literacy, general civility, and
intellectual competence in higher education that would be
parallel to what we have seen in recent years in the high
schools.
^4any students will not develop the knowledge and
skills needed to become responsible citizens with this early
(Continued on Page 2, Col. 1)
Parents attend their weekend
One of Lycoming s most popular events, the annual
Parents Weekend, was held this year on Oct, 7-9 with a
variety of activities for students and their parents. It was
highlighted by the traditional fall reception, a football
victory, and the formal opening of the Fine Arts Center.
The weekend began Friday afternoon with registration
for parents in Burchfield Lounge of Wertz Student Center.
Registration continued Fnday evening at the library
entrance to the Academic Center dunng the tall reception.
The parent-faculty reception ran tor two hours dunng
the evening in Pennington Lounge of the Academic
Center Faculty members from all departments were on
hand to greet and meet with parents and their children.
Refreshments were served
Later Friday evening. Lycoming's Arena Theatre
debuted its 1983-84 season with a periormance of
""Godspell." the award-winning Broadway musical based
on the gospel actordinj; to Si Matthew
Parents registered again in Burchfield Lounge Saturday
morning They then had a choice of attending the official
opening of the arts center (former Hilltop Gymnasium),
refurbished at a cost of $1 million, or the soccer team's
game with Allentown College at College Field, The
booters defeated Allentown, 3-0. (See separate story on
the Fine Arts Center in this issue,)
Brunch was served in the dining room from 9;30 a.m. to
] p m.
The football team treated parents to a t'hird consecutive
shutout win, defeating Albright College, 14-0. The shutout
also was the second straight in front of parents, and was
an important Middle Atlantic Conference victory
Dinner for parents and students followed the game in
the dining hall. Then at 6:30 p.m., parents chose between
a Roman Catholic mass and special shows on computer
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