The Lance Volume 22, Number 2 ~mr September 9, 1983 Loftus Accepts Interim Position By RICK HANNA “When the position was first broached to me it was a hard decision to make. I thought long and hard for a few days. Once I made my decision I was pleased with it. All the uncertainty is gone and I felt 1 made the right decision,” said Dr. William Loftus, the interim dean of students for the 1983-84 academic year. The decision was a dif ficult one for Loftus because while serving as dean he will not be teaching any courses. “This is a totally new change and adjustment for me. If I was to teach, I feel that it would only cause me to give less time to the office or less time to the courses.” Loftus’ absence in the foreign language and SAGE pro grams will certainly be a loss. Orientation was Loftus’ first job as dean and he said, “Craig (Hannas) has set up a great program and everything went very well. Everyone in the Student Life Office took the plan and worked together. I was very impressed.” Turning towards the new year, Loftus said, “The im mediate problem is the Safe Roads Act, which changes the laws concerning the pur chasing and consumption of alcohol.” “This affects St. Andrews directly. Student parties will have change to bring us in compliance with that law within the month.” Loftus characrterized the problem as everyone’s not, “just an institutional one.” The Safe Roads Act goes into affect on October 1. In order to insure com- phance with the law, Loftus, the Student Life Committee and Laurey Murphy, assis- tand to the dean of students, are working together very closely. Mrs. Murphy and a student representative are scheudled to attend a con ference at Duke University, which will address the ques tion of how the law affects a college campus. “My major concern, as it was with my predecessors, is to bring student and academic life closer together. Secondly, I would like to ex pand the idea of what stu dent activities means. I will work with Laurey Murphy and student groups. There will be no radical changes.” Loftus encourages people to offer him assistance and to realize that his doors are always open to advice from students, faculty and ad ministration. No it’s not the New York Stock Exchange, it’s Fall Registration! Convocation Opens School 0 ./iU? By Beth Davison To the music of the bagpipes marched the somewhat anxious freshmen that were- swsooeded-by the faculty dressed in their color ful robes. This procession marked the beginning of the twenty-second opening Con vocation for the Class of 1987 held in Avinger Auditorium. Only four years later will the faculty and these students march in this fashion again, remarked Dean Ronald Crossley. The Convocation was given by Dr. W. D. White followed by Rev. Dr. Robert Martin, Jr. who gave the In vocation. President A. P. Perkinson then welcomed the Class of 1987 to an “in teresting, vibrant, and caring community,” and expressed to everyone that Saint An drews exist to serve . the students and help the in dividual expand horizons, reach for goals, and share the journey. Dr. William Loftus, in troduced as the dean of students students to replace Dean Craig Hannas, said “Saint Andrews is an excellent place to hve, learn, and to grow.” Dr. Neal Bushoven spoke briefly to pass on informa tion to parents concerning meeting places following Convocation Next, the President of the Student Association, David Saunier, spoke on the impor tance of getting involved and voicing one’s opinion. David feels with the newly created eivironment at Saint An drews, there is a greater responsibility to become in volved by taking advantage of opportunities. Dr. William Alexander gave the address entitled “The Foreign Car Competi tion in Higher Education; Or, Why You Are Getting So Much Junk Mail.” In his speech he talked of how col leges make false promises and claims, such as guarantees of jobs, and social success “by providing the right contacts”, in order to compete with the competi tion. Alexander claimed Saint Andrews does not pro mise these “myths”, instead, “we can promise the oppour- tunities to learn, which was pointed out through the naming of Saint Andrews’ distinguished professors and their accomplishments. Dean Ronald Crossley said a few words stating that one was “well come” if he is eager to learn, willing to take risks, and open to new ex periences. The Convocation was ended by the Benedica- tion given by Rev. Laurey Murphy. Saunier Stresses Communication Christie Williams Breaking down traditional barriers with an emphasis on communication is a main point included in student life president’s, David Saunier’s, plan for this year. “Students should know exactly what is going on, and who plays what role in our government system,” said Saunier. Before long term goals are looked into, immediate at tention is being given to in ternal organization. “Our officers need to feel their way around in their new duties and with the new con stitution they will be working with,” said Saunier. “Elec tions still need to be held for dorm social chairpersons. Then we can look to break ing down barriers between students and faculty, and within the student body itself.” Besides working with a new constitution, the student government is also operating with a new dean of students. Dr. William Loftus. And with North Carolina’s new li quor law, the government will be up against a lot of new aspects to deal with and incorporate. “A lot of positive things can be done to change St. Andrews: but the ones that will last must be generated by the students themselves,” said Saunier, “So much can be done if both the faculty and students realize we are all working toward the same common goal.” Already the government continued on Page 6