Newspapers / Fayetteville State University Student … / Dec. 1, 1977, edition 1 / Page 1
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FSy OUR lOOTH YEAR OF SERVICE” VOLUME ^^2 NUMBER 2 1877 1977 ^OICE FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY, FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. DECEMBER, 1977 DR. CHARLES “A” LYONS CHANCELLOR LYONS HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE Anthony Melvin and Anita Davis, staff members of The Voice, interviewed Chancellor Charles “A” Lyons on November 23, 1977. The topics dfScussGd v.crc. The HEW Guidelines for desegregation as it affects Black schools and White schools; Open-door admission policy to FSU; Feedback from or follow-up on FSU graduates; Graduate Program; Allegations of internal bickering and its effect on the effectiveness of administration; Roy Parker’s resignation; Student access to the Chancellor and ad ministration; and, A general message from the Chancellor. Melvin: Chancellor Lyons, in the immediate past there has been a great deal said about the HEW desegregation plans as they apply to predominantly Black and predominantly White schools. Could you elaborate upon this issue? Lyons: People have many misconceptions about HEW Guidelines and their associated meanings. This talk of quotas is not un derstood. I prefer to use the word quota. The historically White schools have a 5 year period to achieve a certain level of new Black freshman and Black transfer students. This would be done according to a formula of “150 percent of parity.” Some people feel that desegregation requirements differ greatly from the Black school in comparison to those for the White school. But let me say this. Historically, Black schools will be exempt from any criteria for 2 years at the inception of the guidelines. This will continue until the white schools make meaningful efforts to reach their part of the guidelines. There are no stipulations on FSU right now. White students are recruited here, though. What this means essen tially is that historically White schools must take more of the burden of educating Black undergraduates and other professionals There are six states under court order to desegregate further. These states have appealed and HEW is TGvisv/in^ the specifics of the guidelines and will report to the court on its plans, actions and general disposition in respect to the guidelines and court order. I reiterate the emphasis is on White schools sharing more of the burden of Black education. Davis; According to some reports, historically Black Schools will be lost in the shuffle if HEW Guidelines are effected. The University Board of Governors produced an adjusted report rather than acquiesce to HEW Guidelines. SGA Presidents are publishing material against the HEW Guidelines saying it will destroy historically Black schools. What are your feelings along these lines? Lyons: Some have been misiniformed. I think one needs to get a copy of the guidelines and interpret the language of it. Black schools have at least a 2 year grace period. Further, we are part of the System of the University of North Carolina. We must function with respect to this system and to the region we serve. We are doing things to enhance the University. In the near future, FSU will have a graduate school. At first they said we were not ready for graduate school because we were weak in our undergraduate programs and because we didn’t have NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education) ac creditation. Well, we went out and got NCATE accreditation, then we told them that the state must provide for the uplifting of our deficiencies. That eliminated the excuses for not initiating a graduate school here. Melvin: With the in ception of the new graduate school inevitable, there is a need for elaboration on the quality of students we attract as undergraduates. Will the open-door admissions policy with its associated academic deficiencies cause our graduates not be allowed entrance to graduate school here? Lyons: There is no open- door policy here in the sense that anybody is allowed to enter. Our catalogue states specific criteria that include requirements that must be met before acceptance. Of course, there are conditional and unconditional terms that are also explained in the catalogue. Our graduate school enrollment must be comprised of a majority of our undergraduates. Standards of admission to graduate school are entirely different from undergraduate. If a“B” average is not maintained in undergraduate school, adequate extracurricular background and good character then admission to graduate school will be ex tremely difficult. The school will be administered through the University system. Davis: State funding is generally thought to carry mandates. Will these man dates affect the long range plans of FSU? Lyons: It used to be that funding was obtained by each University’s head appearing before that state legislature and presenting their needs. Often the Back schools were short-changed. Now our budget is prepared by myself and staff then submitted to the Board of Governors and lastly the President of the Board of Governors presents the entire University system’s budget to the legislature. Therefore, any mandates are part of the overall planning of the system and each university has input into that planning. Any mandate is one we initiated. We plan things and schedule them and they are completed according to schedule, Melvin: We never hear or see any information con cerning the successes or non successes of FSU graduates. Why? Lyons: Right now we do not have an adequate follow- up plan on our graduates. We do get information on a few but the majority we have nothing on. However, we are in the process of renovating our procedures in this area. Perhaps in the near future we will have made some strides forward in this area. Davis: About the recent allegation of racial discrimination, the Dickens- Holmes feud, is tWs affecting the effectiveness of the ad ministration? Lyons: The business of the University is going on as usual. I have addressed myself to the questions in previous news conferences. In regards to the Dickehs- Holmes thing, a news con ference will be held today at 3:00 p.m. I don’s know why the propensity for sensationalism in reporting is so prevalent in the media, now-a-days. The tendency of the community to believe the slant of the m^ia on any given issue is wrong. A little investigating in the nature of the allegations is necessary. (A news con ference by Chancellor Lyons was held in the multi-purpose room at 3:00 p.m. He ad dressed himself to the Title XX Program and the resolution of the Dickens- Holnies issue.) Melvin: Chancellor Lyons, in light of the allegations and the associated feelings created, we have witnessed the resignation of Roy Parker, Editor of the Fayetteville Times which has participated in the reporting of news relevant to FSU. Are there any reasons not reported causing the resignation? Lyons^ I have talked with Mr. Parker at length and I don’t feel that his resignation meant anything detrimental to FSU or was caused by the media. We have to accept the resignation at face value, not read anything into it. He feels that his responsibility as Editor to his paper conflicts with his responsibilities as a member of FSU Board of Trustees, in the respect of doing a good job. Melvin: Are there any channels available to the students to reach the ad ministration on matters of concern other than the SGA? President Carter has a regular nationwide radio call- in program. Mayor Finch has her neighborhcKXi meetings. (Out of this question grew the idea of an open-forum con sisting of: all administrative heads, department heads, and spokesmen from all campus organizations. The first forum is scheduled for the 8th of December at 4:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room.) Davis: Chancellor Lyons, is there anything you would like to say to the student body? Lyons: For Blacks, times are critical. Higher education is more important as a goal for young Blacks, par ticularly, competition for available jobs is keener. This is felt among the Black youth more so than any other ethnic segment of the populace. The need for the Black youth to be prepared to face the world is critical. We all know that he is the last hired and the first fired - he has to be more qualified than his competitor. Unemployment among Blacks is about double the national average. Among young Blacks it is about three times the national average. There is not a need to elaborate further along those lines. The im plications are real and serious. Training and preparation for the future job market is essential therefore seriousness of purpose is needed by young Blacks, especially students involved in higher education. It is important to hit the books and hit them hard in preparation for the future. If preparation (Continued on Page 2)
Fayetteville State University Student Newspaper
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