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Fordbam speaks out
Black Ink
April 28, 1983
Chancellor says change to come
Ranclail G. Kenan
Staff Writer
“I have been very interested in recruiting black students and biacl
faculty. If somebody tells me I’m not interested, I know they’re wrong
because I am interested. Now, how you turn that into results that please
everybody is another matter. It’s like somebody saying to you,
‘look...you don’t love your mother.’ How are you going to prove you do?-
You love her and you know you love her, and you know whoever said
that doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but how do you prove you
do? By the flower you send on toother's Day? Or do you just know it?
It’s an obvious part of you and you don’t have to produce evidence to de
fend that. And that’s how I feel about it. But on the other hand I’d like to
produce evidence to show that the program is working. I think it has
worked...! think the faculty we have are doing pretty well. We need more
faculty...! am hoping we will have more black faculty in the fall.
Goodness knows I have made a considerable effort to see that it would
happen. But having to guarantee results is a difficult proposition. It’s
like guaranteeing a win in a tough game, you can’t guarantee it. You can
do your best but you can’t guarantee it. And people will criticize you if
you lose. But that’s just the way it is when you’re dealing with tough
social issues. ”
— Dr. Christopher C. Fordham III
Chancellor, UNC-Chapel Hill
Since mid-November of 1982 students have been marching from the Carolina
Student Union to the steps of South Building. Swaggering signs and chanting,
these students attempt to provoke some action or notice on the part of the ad
ministration, especially the Chancellor.
At the crux of the demonstrations is the annual report put out by the
Chancellor's office that same month, stating that the size of female and black
faculty at the University was small, less than 9%
The chancellor stated dissatisfaction over the population of women and
minorities, however the students critcized him for lack of interest and effort in
the situation.
A letter to the “Daily Tar Heel" on Feb. 9, 1983, signed by Chuck Hennessy,
(de facto leader of the protests) and 55 concerned students, states: "However,
instead of using his position to remedy the problem...he has offered only ex
cuses and well-worn statistics unrelated to the issue at hand." And so arose a.
broken and disunified atmosphere between students and some of the ad
ministration.
It is ironic, in a sense, that Dr. Christopher C. Fordham III, a physician by
profession, finds himself in the position of the healer in this situation — given
the task of bringing about the changes that will reunite his academic charge.
The Chancellor said his first concern is the students.
"I think that the students' concern is appropriate," he said. "1 agree with their
concern. I hope that their method of expressing it did some good. You always
worry about whether it does good or harm... I guess 1 don't have any final value
judgement on the militancy to achieve social change and 1 don't tend to be undu
ly offended."
THE MOON BROTHERS
with
CONSTANCE PRINCE
Friday, April 29
8 pm.. Great Hall
FREE
Deer or Wine
Carolina
The newly formed Student Committee on Faculty Hiring meets his expecta
tions. "It does take a certain expression, a willingness to help, a provided in
terest."
But Fordham is not in agreement with all sides. For instance, Audrey
Johnson, C hairperson of the Black Faculty and Staff C aucus, said that the reten
tion of Blacks and women on the faculty was poor and that it was due to lack of
support and double standards in tenure and promotion decisions.
However the Chancellor disagreed with the reasons given by Johnson as well
as the statement that retention is poor and blames the statement on lack of
understanding.
He said that he feels the attrition rate not to be that high and the present black
faculty to be doing well. People who leave, do so mainly because of economic
reasons — reasons he said the university cannot be held responsible for. "Times
are lean," he said.
Which is what he said, to some degree, about the controversy of some depart
ment's reports that there are not enough qualified minorities and women to
choose from and the students declaring that the people are there but the depart
ments are not looking hard enough.
First, he points out, you must consider that the problem varies from depart
ment to department. There is no blanket for the issue. He recognizes that there
are many capable blacks, but many and most find employment outside
academia.
"There is a problem, but it is a problem we must not be dismayed by," For
dham said. "We have to go ahead and get our jobs done." : ,
Do the departments wish to get the jobs done? Are they dragging their feet on
pupose? Can't the Chancellor speed the process?
"If the Chancellor tried to confiscate from the faculty their prerogatives of
hiring their faculty, first 1 believe he wouldn't get away with it, and then it
would create a situation in which academic freedom was at stake. And people
from all institutions, black and white, are not going to want to come here. I
respect that," he said. "And I believe they will get the job done. "They wish to
do well, I think."
He points out that the University as a whole is doing very well. He also sites
that this is occuring in spite of the present administration in Washington and its
negative talk.
The students will play a vital role in drawing minority and women faculty,
the Chancellor stressed in conclusion. Already students have offered to form a
committee that will meet with and welcome potential candidates to express the
desire for them to become a part of the University and to show them how they
would become an asset to the institution.
He said that the black student body as a whole would be vital in drawing the
people here by their sincere scholarship and by being good to each other and by
taking their work very seriously. "A good student body attracts good faculty,
he said.
The Chancellor stated that the University is undergoing change what he
considers change for the better — and during that change, he wishes to preserve
a state of academic environment in which everyone can work and learn.
"Perhaps it's not fast enough for some, but it is changing," he said.
New ideas on studying for exams
by Barry Carson
Staff Writer
With exams so near, most students
have probably been looking for some
new ideas on how to "cope." Sherry
Stuckey, Assistant Director for
Outreach, has some ideas that may be
helpful.
First of all, she advises students to
fix out a schedule. "A student needs
to organize what he needs to do and
what he has to study," said Stuckey.
Stuckey also recommends that
students write a summary of their
classnotes and reading assignment
material. "This makes you under
stand things in your own words,"
commented Stuckey. She also rec
ommended that the summary be In
outline form for comprehensive ex
ams.
When choosing a place to study,
Stuckey suggests that the student
study where he feels most comfort
able. However, If he feels most com
fortable studying In his room,
Stuckey believes it would be best to
study elsewhere because studying in
the room may cause problems.
For study purposes, she recom
mends such places as the residence
hall study rooms, Wilson Library
study rooms located in the stacks,
department libraries, and classrooms.
"One suggestion is to study for the
exam in the classroom where you will
take the exam," added Stuckey.
Stuckey also suggests that students
should exercise, get the amount of
sleep that they need and eat high
energy foods such as fresh fruits, cot
tage cheese, and yogurt. Students
should exercise ten minutes for every
fifty minutes of study. Stuckey feels
that these steps will help students
cope with the stress and anxiety that
aq^ompany final exams.
AIsq to help cope, Stuckey believes
that good time management and
avoiding procrastination are the most
Important things. She recommends
that the student manage his time in a
way that will keep his schedule as
normal as possible.