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The Banner Volume XIV, Number 12 Proudly serving the UNCA community since 1982 April 20,1989 Budget cuts affect all departments by Michael Gouge Assistant News IZditor UNCAhas implemented a freeze on all new equipment purchases due to a drastic 40 percent budget reduction. William Pott, vice chancellor for finance, said the budget cut affects all of the UNC schools. For UNCA, "It amounts to an average of 40 percent when you exclude salaries," Pott said. The cut comes to over $370,000 in non-salaiy money. The budget cut has prompted a freeze on the remaining funds for the rest of the semester. "It’s pretty much a complete freeze on equipment and travel money," Pott said. Malcolm Blowers, university librarian, said Ramsey library has been "hit at least as hard as any other department." All purchases of books and other supplies has been frozen. "We’ve lost $93,000. At the end of the semester, it’s quite a crush." Blowers said. Blowers said the money would come out of book purch^s and other expenses. "Right now we’re holding back $60,000 on new books, and the remaining $30,000 plus has come out of a variety of accounts: travel expenses, computer services and others." The reduction in library funds could result in the canceling of book orders. "We have $530,000 committed for the purchase of new books. Now, we can only spend $440,000. If the cut continues, we’ll either have to cancel orders or hold the invoices until next fiscal year." Which m will result in less funds available for next year’s budget. Blowers said. Kem Parker, director of the computer center, said his department has suffered a similar loss. "We’ve been cut at the 60 percent level, as other departments were. This puts a hold on all equipment acquisitions. It’s a hard situation to react to when you lose such a significant amount," Parker said. The ailetic department was not an exception from the cuts. Dede Allen, assistant athletic director for finance and facility coordination, said Justice Gym is also feeling the effects of the cut. "What we’re doing in response to this is to freeze our budget. We’re not making any expenditures that are not necessary. We’re just spending what’s necessary to operate." Allen said. The school has been aware of an upcoming budget cut since January; at that time, $175,000 was set aside to cover the reduction in funds, said Dr. Thomas Cochran, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. Budget reductions are not uncommon, said Dr. Phyllis Betts, director of the university scholars program. The state, "does this kind of thing all the time," Betts said. Usually the budget cuts are called for in order to create a budget surplus for the next fiscal year. The surplus will go toward financing salary increases and building projects, Betts said. Wengrow steps down by John Maney Staff Writer Staff Photo--Stacey Higdon Susan Grace Stoltz, an Alaskan folk singer, sings about the environment at Earth First road show in Lipinsky Auditorium. See related story on page 5. After 12 years as chairman of the drama department, Arnold Wengrow has decided to step down from the position of chairman. He will retain his faculty status. Wengrow founded the drama department in 1970 and served as program director until it was given separate departmental status in 1977. "I wasn’t the official chairman until 1977, but I handled chairman duties for 19 years," Wengrow said. "For the first 3 years, I was the only faculty member, so I had to do a lot of work." Wengrow said he is glad he has been able build a program and put together a curriculum. "I’ve put together a good faculty and see a new drama building. I’ve accomplished a lot of things as the drama chairman." According to Wengrow, one of the reasons he’s stepping down as chairman is there are no finances available for new projects and initiatives. "Nineteen years is a long time to do any job. I want to be able to channel my energies into other areas of interest. "I only have nine years until See WENGROW, page 8 Arts class gets national recognition by Scarlet Bell News Tidiior Staff Photo-Susan Dryman Pottery catches Martha Marshall’s eye at the student art sale on April 14. Arts and Ideas, a 300-level course that has drawn criticism from UNCA students, was featured in the April issue of Liberal Education, a monthly national magazine published by the Association of American Colleges, according to a UNCA press release. The magazine cited the course as one of six approaches to art education among American colleges and universities. Other colleges featured in the article include Knox College, St. Mary’s College in Maryland, Texas A & M University, the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and Wesleyan College, according to the press release. Music Professor Doug Ovens, who is quoted in the article in Liberal Education, said in the Arts 310 course, "many students are exposed, ■face-to-face, with experiences that are completely new to them. "The course emphasizes the social role of the arts, the creative process, and the way in which the creation of art and the experiencing of art integrate intellectual, sensory, emotional and intuitive ways of knowing," Ovens quoted from the course’s mission statement. The recognition Arts 310 has received sparked mixed responses from faculty and students who participate in the course. Patricia Snoyer, assistant professor of drama and Arts 310 instructor, said prospective employers she has met require their employees to have a solid liberal arts education, which she feels the Arts 310 course ccjmplements. "I think Arts 310 is a very important course. I have seen how important it is when I attend conventions where Arts course is its inconsistency. They purport to give us an objective set of values so that we can determine art for ourselves. And, then they give us absolute answers as to whether this is art or not. And, this insults my intelligence," Autrey said. Computer Science Senior Kevin Ingle said the Arts 310 course should be incorporated into the "My ma jor problem with the Arts course is its inconsistency. . . this insults my intelligence Darrell Autrey, philosophy employers are looking for students to hire, and their primary interest is their liberal arts background - how well-read they are, how familiar with the arts they are “ and I think the Arts 310 course contributes to that knowledge. "I do think it is important that we show art that is accessible and enjoyable to the students who are taking the class, but still helps us in the education process," Snoyer said. However, Arts student Darrell Autrey said the course offers confusing messages about the definition of art and artists. "My major problem with the humanities sequence. "The Arts course could be good if it was within the Humanities structure. When they break it up, it’s an extra class and basically a waste of time if you’ve already had the humanities," Ingle said. Student Government Association Vice-President Chris Brown, who is also a student in the Arts class, said the course was designed to teach students how to critique art and to think like an artist. However, he said that the course does not "run smoothly" in this area. Brown agreed with Ingle, also, in that he said the Arts course should be included in the humanities sequence. "We have the humanities program, and if they would spend a few more minutes in the humanities lecture explaining and critiquing art - - the different elements of art - I think that could be covered in the humanities classes. "But, I still think the lab part of the Arts course could be expanded on and improved," Brown added. "I think some of the things that are taught in Arts and Ideas can be specialized through the art lab experiences. Have students take more than one lab experience - hit all three key areas of music, visual arts and drama - and go over some key points in each one." This semester, 250 students are enrolled in the Arts and Ideas class, and students are required to take the course in their junior year, according to the press release. Thou^ the course is taught primarily by arts and humanities faculty, the teaching team each year includes a "non-art" faculty member - such as a biologist or mathematician - to help ensure a balanced and objective presesentation of ideas. The course also includes guest performers who perform in conjunction with the Arts 310 classroom experience.
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
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April 20, 1989, edition 1
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