The SalemitB
GramJey Library
Colley
Winston-Salem, NC 27108
Vol. LXX No. 4
The Uncensored Voice Of The Salem Commmunity
October 31,1989
Dean Eulalia Cobb Resigns
April Edmondson
bean Eulalia Benejam Cobb
fesigned her position as Dean of the
College October 9,1989 (effective July 1,
^990). Her decision, dictated by family
considerations, has sparked an
o^iotional outcry from the Salem
C^ollege community.
Dean Cobb and President Litzenburg
'decided to wait until October 16 to
release Dean Cobb's decision to resign,
^hey chose to do this because the
®oard of Trustees were scheduled to
'’'oet October 11 - 13. Dean Cobb and
President Litzenburg felt that the
‘“rportance of the Southern
Accreditation of Colleges and Schools
and Visitation issues being discussed
''^ould, somehow, be overshadowed by
ihe news of her resignation. Therefore,
news of Dean Cobb's resignation
''^as not made public to the faculty and
®^ff until October 16.
The students, however, were not
'Wormed until October 18. Due to
jiining, however, many students did not
*®arn of Dean Cobb's decision to resign
""til their return from fall break on
Petober 22. The students have been
'"formed by Strat Newitt, President of
^A, that an error was made by the
President's Office in getting a memo
""t to the students on October 16.
Due to the numerous concerns over
Dean Cobb's resignation. Dean Cobb
appealed to the faculty, staff, and
students via a memorandum in which
she stated that, due to concerns
expressed by Mrs. Mary Bryant Newell,
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees,
she wanted to reiterate that the
contents of Dr. Litzenburg's memo of
October 16, 1989 were "accurate and
Correct." Dean Cobb also expressed
her appreciation for all of the support
and concern that has been shown to her
in the last several days.
On October 25 Mary Bryant Newell
sent a memo to faculty, staff, and
students on behalf of the Executive
Committee of the Board of Trustees. In
this memo Mrs. Newell addressed the
sense of loss the community feels and
the many contributions of Dean Cobb
on behalf and for the Salem College
community.
The Executive Committee feels that
Dean Cobb's resignation, though
unwelcome, should not cause the
Salem community to "lose sight of
either its mission or the remarkable
progress the College is making in
addressing various issues of common
concern." The Executive Committee
not only pledges to continue working
vigorously and closely with students,
faculty, staff, and alumnae, but they
Dean Cobb, resigning after this academic year, takes a break from her busy
day.
also unanimously reaffirm their faith in
Dr. Litzenburg and his leadership.
Perhaps the most noted point in this
memo is the promise that "the
Executive Committee and the
1 continued on p. 12 - Cobb
Faculty
Responds to
Visitation Proposal Discussed Resignation
Catherine Davis
Wednesday, October 11, the AD
Hoc Visitation Committee and
the student minority against any
htrther extension of male visitation
P''esented their proposals to the
Student Affairs Committee of the
hoard of Trustees. The ultimate
^^ocision will come from the Board
Trustees in February when they
'"ill hear a final proposal from
both sides.
The written proposal from the Ad
Hoc Committee chairman, Mindy
Worrell, asks to extend the hours of
'hale visitation to 24 hours on dance
''weekends. Provisions on the
proposal include a roommate
'Contract, bathroom schedule for
'"ales, and emphasis of student
'^sponsibilities for her guest.
The conditions of the proposal
"'’G formed by student concerns and
I ®hggestions as indicated on the
Survey given in the September 12
Lr
the students who participated in
the survey indicated they want
change, 6% want no change in the
present visitation policy.
After the September 12 SGA
meeting a collection of 12 students
opposing change in the present
visitation policy formed and
presented a minority report to the
Student Advisory Committee.
Leading the opposition, Paige Goza
said people had expressed concern
that not all possible conflicts had
been considered.
The group concerns include
property damage, increase of date
rape, and unescorted males, to name
a few. Goza said that the
opposition is not satisfied with the
AD HCX! Committee's proposal at
present, but she said she thinks it
can be resolved. Male visitation
will not be a choice for everyone
and those without guests will be
"subjected to men being on the
hall," Goza said. Last spring. Miss
Worrell circulated a petition
supporting change in the male
visitation. This was discussed in
the Faculty Advisory Board,
Legislative Board, and the Student
Advisory Committee of the Board
of Trustees. Under the advice of
the Student Advisory Committee a
survey was conducted indicating
student concerns which were
included in the final proposal.
After the issue became an SGA
issue, a formal committee was
chosen by Miss Worrell. The
committee consists of three senior
representatives, Michelle Duffie,
Sally Lemmon, Liz Smith; three
junior representatives, Katy Glenn,
Joanna May, Mindy McLarty; and
three sophomore representatives,
Debbie Bruce, Anna Harris,
Melanie McRae.
This fall in the September 12
SGA meeting another survey was
conducted with more detailed
choices of the extension of
by April Edmondson
continued on p. 12 - Ad Hoc
As the news of Dean Eulalia
Benejam Cobb's resignation spread,
tempers began to flair. With the
knowledge of this resignation Mrs.
Emily Wilson submitted her
resignation to President Litzenburg.
Other faculty members were
literally reduced to tears due to
this action.
Dr. Jeff Ersoff said, "I am
destroyed. I think it is the worst
•"hing that could have happened to
the school. She is such a positive
force at Salem...to have been here
for such a short time...what is
wrong with us that we can't keep
someone who fits our needs so
-veil?"
Dr. George McKnight stated, "I'm
very unhappy and disappointed. I
think its a great loss for the
college. I sincerely wish it [Dean
Cobb's resignation] had never
continued on p. 12 - response