Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Feb. 15, 1995, edition 1 / Page 2
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February 15,1995 2 Campus Opinion Editorial: All hearsay, no confirmation by Arinn Dixon I heard a rumor the other day that went something like this: It has been said that last year Dr. John Weems graciously took certain students to the Angus Bam for diimer and charged the bill to a Meredith account. Cryptic though it was, that information defi nitely warranted a closer investigation. I called Cheryl Jenkins of the Office of Student Activities to try and feel out a little information. Although she was a little reserved, she was very helpful. I asked her about that crazy piece of hearsay and found out that, oh my gosh, it was true. Jenkins confirmed that Weems did in fact take students to the Angus Bam, and he did in fiict charge the outing to a Meredith ac count. When pressed for more infor mation, she stated that he took about 20 students to dinner. Those 20 in cluded some members of the Program ming Board, such as the presidents of MRA and MEA, as well as members of other campus organizations. Jenkins’ opinion was that Weems just wanted to show his appreciation to those stu dents for all the hard work they had done. I understand that. That’s all well and good, but the Angus Barn? We asked Tracey Rawls, employee of the Angus Bam, about rates and prices. She told us that the restaurant does not give group rates and that the averse meal costs between $40 and $50 per person. I did some quick figuring and, judging from aU the given information, I found that Weems spent about $ 1000 on this one dinner. Isn’t that rather expensive? And didn’t I hear some thing about Meredith having financial problems? I decided to go for the real story and interview Weems himself I called his office and told his secretary that I wanted an appointment and why. She said that Weems was out of town, but that she would convey the message to him and for me to call back the next day. When I called back I received some interesting news. His secretary told me that Weems said, in no uncer tain terms, that he would not talk to me unless I would give up my source of information. He didn’t say he wouldn’t give me anything for my story, mind you. He merely said he wouldn’t even talk to me at all. Does that sound a little fishy to everyone? I think actions speak louder than words in this case. How ever, I wiU get to the bottom of this. You can count on it. Association of Meredith Commuters Meeting: Friday, Feb. 17 10:00 a.m. Kresge Auditorium AMC Sweatshirts for Sale tr WANTED!! WMOs Non-resident and resident interna tional students F©Ms Capstone project WlHYo We need to know your ideas, thoughts, suggestions, and opin ions about interna tional problems and issues which you face everyday as a Meredith student. There will be a sugges tion drop box placed in the library, cafeteria, international house and the Cate Center for your convenience. Please express your thoughts! Thanks! Meredith Herald EdHor in Chief Christina Peoples Layout Editor Shannon Peterson Copy Editor Melissa Massengill Features Editor Clarky Lucas News Editor AddieTschamler Photo Editor Jetson Business Manager Carrie Shaw Reporters Arinn Dixon, Ashley Peay, Kimberly Zucker, Keri VanDoren, Kristine Stagg, Melissa Cloer, Teresa Latham, MeaganCronauer, Marsha Tutor, Shannon Smith Photographers Laura Ross, Jan Seate Faculty ConsuRants Garry Walton, Rod Cockshutt, Nan Miller Adviser Paula Daniels Editorial Policy: The Meredith Herald is published by the College throughout the academic year. The paper is funded by the College and through advertising. The opinions expressed in editorial columns do not necessarily reflect those of the college administraiton, faculty or student body. Letters to the Editor Policy: Everyone in the Meredith community is invited to write a letterto the editor. All published letters must be typewritten with contact name, address and telephone number. All letters must be signed by the author, but names will be withheld upon request. The Herald reserves the rightto place any other article submissions on file until needed or to choose not to print them. Letter to the Editor: Weems needs to listen to student suggestions President Weems has struck again. This time, however, it seems everyone is worried. In a letter the president recently sent out to all faculty at Meredith, he presented his analysis of Meredith’s present condition. His “re ality checks” were demographics that many students here could have given him at any time. Revenue is falling. Enrollment and retention rates are at an all-time low. The number of students lost in the freshman class has doubled in the last six years. These are all fairly accurate summations of our situation. Yet what President Weems fails to recognize is the source of these har rowing figures. In his quite threaten ing letter to the faculty and administra tion, he continually blames the woes of the college on a “lack of leadership” on the part of faculty, department heads, and deans. He even goes so far as to say that 10% of the faculty who cannot compete with his new model of efficiency will have to go. This new model centers around orienting the college to more night and technical programs — such as television courses and an agreement between Wake Tech and ourselves. 'The president seems primarily con cerned with, as he puts it, increasing our “market share” and appealing to new “clientele.” Yet he has failed to recognize what students haveknownforyears—there is an economic link to our social resi dence life policy. Many of us truly enjoy our classes, professors, and the academic atmosphere of the college. The prime motive for the loss of stu dents and lack of new enrollment is the dorm life, not the faculty. They were never hired on the premise of being fund-raisers for the college, yet it is the faculty who seems to be taking the heaviest burden of our problems. The school has failed to recognize that we are not the same women as women were 24 years ago see WEEMS page seven
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