GARDNER-WEBB COLLEGE
Thursday, February 28,1991 No. 8 tAe. cKtou,
Bolling Springs, North Carolina
Recession,
By Dawn E. Camp
Managing Editor
At a called faculty meeting on February
15, GW President Chris White announced
a number of upcoming changes, including
the administration’s plan to recommend to
the Board of Trustees that tuition and fees
be raised for the 1991-92 school year. The
proposed increase in tuition is 8 percent;
the increase in fees is between 7 and 8 per
cent. Together, the increase would cost the
average resident student an extra $720 for
the year.
White cited the current recession as one
reason for the increase. Also cited was the
predicted decrease in student enrollment.
Next year’s predicted average of 1,025 stu
dents is down from this year’s average of
1,066.
Budget reviews also revealed the need for
a reduction in personnel. White an
nounced the loss of two faculty members,
one of whom already planned to return to
graduate school. Other losses include one
academic support person, three and a half
student development staff positions (in
cluding one football coach who will not be
replaced), and one and a half positions in
maintenance and housekeeping. Five
secretaries have been asked to reduce
hours equivalent to one and three-fourths
full-time people. Some indication was
given that one interpreter for the Noel
Hearing Impaired Program will be released
as well.
Where to Turn
By Kathy Henson
Staff Writer
Since the dismissal of Director of Fresh
men Programs Rhoda Sowers, many stu
dents have been concerned about who will
do Rhoda’s job now. Many students at
Tuesday’s forum expressed concern about
who to go to with questions and problems.
In response. Dean Scott says he hopes to
use a team approach to filling Rhoda’s
place. But, he says, "I know students want
to know...who they can come to and talk to
for specifics, so that’s going to be me."
He plans to coordinate the activities in
cooperation with Audrey Sloan and Wayne
Johnson. Scott says, "...between the three
of us, we will make sure the things that need
to be done and continue are done." He
adds, "I’m going to make sure it gets done if
I have to do it myself."
Scott feels this team approach will work
well. "I think in the long run that will help
all of us to be more involved in what needs
to happen and also give students a chance
to work with additional staff members."
He doesn’t feel that freshmen programs
will necessarily suffer just because Rhoda
left. "Just because one particular individual
is no longer here is no reason why some of
the things that were started should stop."
See TURN page 2
Decline Force Reductions
GWC Enrolhnent and Costs
Year
Enroll, (Ave.)*‘
Tuition
Room/Board
Total Cost
1991-92*
1025
6,717.60
3,582.40
10,300
1990-91
1066
6,220
3,360
9,580
1989-90
1106
5,770
3,200
8,970
1988-89
992
5,330
2,460
7,790
‘Estimates only.
** reflects campus only, not (GOAL) program.
On Feb. 19, the Student Government As
sociation (SGA) called a forum giving stu
dents the chance to talk to the administra
tion about the changes. According to SGA
President Johnny McDaniel, "A number of
students wanted answers from the ad
ministration about why a number of posi
tions were cut on campus." Administrators
attending the meeting were Dr. Frank Bon
ner, Dean Gil Blackburn, and Dean Jerome
Scott. More than 70 people attended.
Students were concerned over the release
of Director of Freshmen Programs Rhoda
Sowers as well as the loss of faculty mem
bers (See MAILBOX, page 2). Several stu
dents asked where they would be able to
turn now that Rhoda was no longer
employed here. Scott emphasized that Stu
dent Development is still "committed to
making sure students don’t get put on the
back shelf." (See SCOTT article, this page).
Bonner explained that it was necessary to
reduce some support positions to avoid
losing another professor. He said, "We’ve
examined the entire budget and made cut
backs everywhere we could without harm
ing programs...If there’s no alternative, we
can’t (keep these people on). The dollars
have to be there."
McDaniel feels the forum an overall suc
cess. "I feel like it was successful consider-
"A Time for Si
By Dawn E. Camp
Managing Editor
The past week’s performances of "A Time
for Singing" have been very successful. The
play, written by C. Robert Jones (former
GWC theatre director) was truly inspira
tional in its portrayal of the spirit of the
small, struggling college during the World
War II years. The play offered the audience
the chance to peer back through the years
at the legends of school history, to listen to
O. Max Gardner speak of his love and
dreams for the school, and to watch Phil El
liott (the first president of Gardner-Webb
College) guide the college through its first
tedious years of growth.
The cast was remarkable. GWC grad
Shawn Lewis portrayed Max Gardner with
a vibrancy that inspired a love for the col-
ing how fast we had to do it, but I feel some
questions raised by students were not
answered...I’d say it got too emotional at
one point, but I felt those emotions needed
to come out...You’ve got to understand, we
were going to stop [the forum] after an
hour, but the staff let it keep going for close
to two hours. They could have said no."
He added, "I hope students realize they
can go talk to the administration themsel
ves. They are open in that."
Curriculum Passes
The new core curriculum faced its final
hurdle on Friday, Feb. 22. After the final
faculty vote, the curriculum and some of its
effects on majors had been hammered out.
The core was accepted without significant
change. It will be refined and implemented
in the fall of 1992.
New Core Highlights
**Only one track for all majors
** Required course in the Freshmen Ex
perience
* ‘Requirement of Health 221
**Six hours of foreign language required
for all
*‘Course in oral and visual communica
tions required
**Six hours of math required
iging" Success
lege. Chris Glaves (Phil Elliott) was mag
nificent. Together the two brought the
friendship and conflicts between the two
men to life. It was impossible to leave the
theatre without a deep respect for both
men. Janet Roebuck’s Faye Webb was
timeless bringing a breath of freshness and
life with each entrance. Dawn Jestes
tenderly portrayed the loving, supporting
Mamie Elliott.
Brian Nicholson and Joe Hough’s sup
porting roles added laughter (usually inten
tionally). Wayne Johnson, Karen Martin,
Jennifer Norman, and Paula Jacobsen
rounded out the wonderful supporting cast.
John Brock’s direction is to be applauded
as is Barry Whitfield’s light and sound.
Bravo! to everyone involved in "A Time
for Singing."