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^eBruary 14,1991
Reverend Sides: A Member of
the Salem Family
by Noomim Al Mamun
The Salemite
Editors Note: In an effort to
facilitate improved
communication between the
Board ofTrustees and the student
body, we will run a series of
articles focusing on each Trustee
in turn. The goal is to discover
the person behind the title. Who
could be a better choice to
interview for the introductory
piece than Reverand Rick Sides
of Home Moravian? Not only is
he a member of the Board of
Trustees, he is, more visibly
perhaps, a member of the Salem
community and family.
When The Salemite decided to
do a profile on the Board of
Trustees, it seemed appropri
ate to start with Rev. Sides - and
why not? He lives near the
campus, is easily approachable,
and is reputed to have a very
pleasing and charming person
ality.
So, I talked to him over the
phone, and, to my delight, he
more than lived up to his repu
tation as well as being very
enthusiastic about his work as a
Trustee.
Elected to the Board by the
'Synod," the governing body of
the Moravian Church, Rever
end Richard L. Sides has been a
member of the Board of Trus
tees since April, 1986. Cur
rently, he is the youngest
member of the Board. (Repre
sentatives are sent to the Board
of Trustees as elected by the
Southern Province).
I often have wondered about
the role of the Board of Trustees
at Salem College. I knew they
were important, of course, but I
did not realize the extent of their
importance. Rev. Sides enlight
ened me about both the business
of the Board as well as the numer
ous difficulties they encounter in
order to achieve their objectives.
The Board of Trustees is the
central nervous system of our
institution. They are responsible
for making all legislative, execu
tive, and financial policies. In
otner words, every decision,
every move, every new idea mus t
receive the Board's approval
before being finalized.
Reverend Sides has been in
volved with Home Moravian
Church since 1975. He became a
member of the pastoral staff at
Home Moravian in 1981. Previ
ously, he had taught at a high
school for four years. Upon join
ing the Board of Trustees, he
worked for the Executive, Fi
nance, and Student Affairs
Committees. At the moment. Rev.
Sides not only is the Vice-Chair
man of the Board of Trustees, but
he also belongs to the Selection
Committee, a large council com
posed of faculty, alumnae, and
Board of Trustees members cur
rently searching nationwide for
the new permanent President for
Salem.
Rev. Sides is very compas
sionate about and interested in
his work. According to the Vice-
Chairman, one of the great things
about living near campus is "
getting to know the students."
Indeed, he considers it a treat!
To Rev. Sides, one of the most
important qualities of a Trustee
is the ability to communicate well
with students. In other words.
Board of Trustee members must
have a good rapport with stu
dents, talk to them, and imder-
stand their points of view in
order to make decisions which
will benefit the College.
According to Reverend
Sides, the Board of Trustees are
very appreciative of the student
body's support of recent
changes. He also commented
strongly on the students' morale
and understanding of the excite
ment as well as apprehension
which exists in times of leader
ship changes.
Rev. Sides is excited about
the new administrators on cam
pus, speaking highly of Dean,
Allen, Jim Harman, the Director
of Institutional Development,!
Reverend Burkette, and the new'
Admissions Office staff.
At the moment Rev. Sidesii|
optimistic about Salem's future.
While " we are in a time oil
change in terms of leadership,"
Rev. Sides is extremely pleased;
with Dr. Herman Collier, theln-i
terim President of Salem Acad-i
emy and College. Rev. Sides hast
worked with Dr. Collier in the
past and has the highest regard
and respect for him. He hopes
that the new Interim President,
and eventually the permanent'
president, will ensure a bright
and successful future for Salem.
Admissions Update
by Robin Wibon
The Salemite
Recently, there has been a nation
wide decline in college enrollment.
Salem, too, has experienced this de
cline; however, the decline has been
no more than other colleges propor
tionally speaking. According to Dean
Raftus, "We need to hold our own
this coming year (1991-1992)."
Much is being done to spark the in
terests of prospective Salem students.
Alumni organizations are veiy busy
trying to recruit; for instance, the
Charlotte Alumni Chapter has de
veloped a special task force. There
are perspective parties everywhere
from North Carolina, Virginia and
Georgia to Texas.
In addition to the increased amount
of parties off campus for prospec-
tives, many new on-campus policies
are underway. For instance, many
programs, once offered only to sen
iors and juniors in their Spring se
mester are now open to all juniors
and even sophomores.
Salem is doing her best to recruit
new students, although academic
standards for admission have not
been dropped. Dean Raftus predicts
that by 1992 we will have a turn
around in the recent decline. Her
goal is to bring Salem up to a 500
population.
Student help is greatly needed as
well. In late February a phonathon
for an applicant overnight will take
place. Volunteers will be greatly ap
preciated. If you can help call Tammy
c
a
t