Newspapers / Methodist University Student Newspaper / March 11, 1991, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page2 SMALLTALK March 11,1991 Bill Of Rights Forums Held by Sherry L. Overton During the month of February, Methodist College hosted a series of for ums that examined "The Bill of Rights in Everyday Life." These were held on three consecutive Tuesday nights, Feb. 12, 19, and 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Reeves Auditorium. The series coordinator. Dr. Suzan Cheek, stated that such issues as artistic freedom, rights of AIDS victims, and drug-fighting tactics needed to be consid ered. She urged people to "think about the challenges to freedom at home." To closely look at such issues and to make the public more aware of the impact that the Bill of Rights plays in our everyday lives was the purpose of these forums. During the first of these forums. there was a roundtable discussion which dealt with "Public Order vs. Individual Freedom." During the course of the dis cussion, examples were cited and a panel of 20 persons was given the opportunity to comment on and give opinions on these matters concerning everyday chal lenges to individual freedoms. The second forum was entitled "Is looking Suspicious a Crime?" Local at torneys and citizens participated in a mock trial which dealt with the fourth amendment and the laws of search and seizure. The jury was randomly chosen from the audience of students, faculty, and local community members. While the jury retired for deliberation after hearing the evidence involved in the case, the participating judge and attor neys answered questions from the audi ence about issues concerned with the Bill of Rights that pertained to the incident presented that evening. The last forum in the series was pre sented by a public defender from Robe son County. The topic which he spoke about was "Living With the Bill of Rights In the 1990's." Afterwards, those in attendance were asked to stay for a re ception to top off this series and to help in celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. The co-sponsors of The Bill of Rights Forums were: the Cumberland County Board of Education, the Cumber land County Bar Association, the South east Region office of the N.C. Depart ment of Public Instruction, the Museum of the Cape Fear, and the Cumberland County Library. I "Is looking a crime?" — Mock trial held in Reeves Auditorium. Budget Elimination Of Minister's Position Reexamined by Caroline F. Kearns Recently, because of budget prob lems at Methodist College, President El ton Hendricks made the decision to elim inate the position of full-time campus minister at the end of this fiscal year in June. The decision created a protest movement among a small group of stu dents who staged a highly publicized protest rally. Protest organizer Pamela Johnson at tended the most recent meeting of the Board of Trustees and presented her case to the Board Members. Ms. Johnson said that she told the Board that North Caroli na Wesleyan a school that has never had a full-time campus minister has recently decided to institute a full-time campus minister's position. She said she told the Board that Methodist College should continue to have a full-time campus min ister. President Elton Hendricks said in a recent interview that the Board of Trus tees told him that he should "study the matter further." He said that Methodist College should offer the best campus ministry program in the most cost- efficient manner. He said that a study is being conducted and that he would report the findings to the Board of Trustees in May. from page 1 • ing tuition for the summer and evening school programs is still under considera tion, but has not yet been changed. The new tuition increase will be published in an upcoming March newsletter. The Administrative Committee has made no plans to cut academic programs. "The reason we exist as a college is be cause of our academic program," said President Hendricks. In fact, a number of academic programs have been added. The Social Woric department will be ex panded by one staff member, and is mov ing towards accreditation. Also added for next year is funding for a college bowl and debate team, funding for new science equipment, funding for the Southern Writers’ Symposium, funding for a new computer lab for the Business Department, and funding for the Teacher Education Program as they approach an upcoming NCATE accreditation. "There was never any real discussion about elim inating any academic programs, academ ic faculty, or funding for our faculty are as," said Mr. Clayton. The 1991-92 budget does include cuts for at least one program. The main tenance department will suffer a small re duction in staff, but the college expects no reduction in beautification or mainte nance operations. Both President Hen dricks and Mr. Clayton stated that Meth odist College is in need of renovations, and every effort is being made to include these in the budget. Dorm roofs need to be replaced, underground electrical cables need to be repaired, and the air conditioning and heating systems need to be maintained. Starting this year, one dorm roof per year will be replaced. "It's not so much that budgets are being cut," explained President Hendricks, "but many budgets are not being increased." The President also stated that he pri marily wanted to ensure a salary increase for the Methodist College staff, and to maintain the quality of the academic pro gram. He admitted he was not satisfied with the proposed salary increase, adding that our faculty and staff are not well paid. Some of the long term goals that President Hendricks said he would like to see incorporated into future budgets in clude moving the maintenance staff pro gram into the old gym and converting the current maintenance facility into a drama theater. He stated he would also like to have a new road built to the current maintenance building, a project which could cost as much as 540,000. Mr. Clayton said he was satisfied with the total outcome of the budget preparation. He admitted that he was dis appointed that some of the maintenance items are being deferred. "You can only delay maintenance so long before things eventually stop functioning and you have to replace them," he explained. He also stated that he would liked to have seen a larger salary increase for the staff and more funding for academic equipment. Mr. Clayton added that a variety of new programs are being considered. Plans for renovating the bookstore into a more marketing-oriented business, relocating the Post Office, and determining new op erating hours for the snack bar are under way. Mr. Clayton also explained that bet ter supervision would be needed to re duce expenses in some areas, such as eliminating abuse of long distance tele phone calls by incorporating new ac counting procedures. This change is ex pected to decrease the long distance telephone bill by 20%. Also, a new tele phone system is being installed for the dorm students so that every dorm room will be equipped with a telephone. These telephones will be connected to the main campus telephone system and will allow the students to call any office on campus by dialing a four-digit number. A fee will be added to dorm student bills and all telephone connections will be handled through the school. The Administrative Committee con sists of the President of Methodist Col lege, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Student Life, the Vice President for Church Rela tions, the Vice President for Business Af fairs, the Vice President for Develop ment, the Director of Admissions, the Athletic Director, and a Faculty Repre sentative. Each department is also invit ed to present requests that reflect that in dividual program's needs. Mr. Clayton said, "The budget is not a one-person show." Although every program need cannot be met, students, staff, and facul ty are encouraged to submit any needs they feel will make the education process more effective. President Hendricks added that any faculty member or stu dent is free to see any part of the budget at the college except for the list of indi vidual salaries.
Methodist University Student Newspaper
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March 11, 1991, edition 1
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