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In semi-annual session
Enrollment projections focus of Trustee meeting
Chowan trustees reelected J.
Guy Revelle, Jr. of Murfreesboro
as chairman and devoted a major
part of their time to hearing and
discussing a report on "enrollment
situation and projections”
presented by Dean of the College
B. Franklin Lowe, Jr., during their
semi-annual meeting earlier this
month in the office of President
Bruce E. Whitaker.
Miss Emma Gay Stephenson of
Durham was reelected vice chair
man and Randy Britton of Ahoskie
was reelected chairman of the Ex
ecutive Committee.
Lowe’s report dealt with the
decline in the number of college
age students and the possible af
fects on private colleges.
Lowe said that “students of
trends in higher education agree
fall 1982-83 for the first time since
1971. Twenty-eight of 38 private
colleges in North Carolina
reported a decline in enrollment.”
Lowe said that from 1970-79, 141
independent colleges closed, in
cluding three in North Carolina. He
added, “Conditions will likely get
considerably worse before they
begin to improve.”
Best Efforts Required
Lowe stated, however, “that the
majority of colleges and univer
sities should be able to survive and
to keep essential programs intact.
But survival will require sound
planning and management. We
must be willing to give our best ef
forts.”
Following Lowe’s report. Chair
man Revelle called on President
Whitaker for his response and
"As a Trustee you probably haven't
heard anything as important as this report."
—Dr. Bruce E. Whitaker
that from now through 1995 there
will be a substantial reduction in
the number of students available
on a nationwide basis.”
He said the number of 18-year-
olds will drop from about 4.3
million in 1979 to about 3.2 million
in 1994.
Lowe commented, “Overall
enrollment in independent colleges
in the United States declined in the
comments. Whitaker noted, “as a
trustee you probably haven’t heard
anything as important as this
report.”
He asked trustees to support ef
forts to have the General Assembly
raise support for in-state students
attending North Carolina indepen
dent colleges from the present
amount of $850 to $1,200 by 1984.
Whitaker said the state supports
Members of the Board of Trustees hear reports concerning the enrollment situation and projec
tions. J. Guy Revelle, Jr., of Murfreeesboro, was re-elected chairman of the Board at the semi
annual meeting.
out-of- state undergraduate
students in the amount of $2,450.
“On the other hand, the state
allocates only $850 per North
Carolina student enrolled in a
private institution.”
He said that according to pro
jections in 1994 the number of high
school graduates will be down by
25 percent from 1979. “In light of
such projections, I am puzzled that
the university system is commit
ted to increasing its enrr lent by
about 1,000 per year. If p. ojections
for North Carolina are correct, the
university system, if it sticks to its
trustees. Mrs. Ethel K. Smith of
Benson said the college should em
phasize increasing its endownment
to secure more funds for the
operating budget and scholarships.
State Sen. Vernon White of
Winterville suggested the offering
of additional vocational courses
including computer courses.
Dean Lowe responed by telling
the trustees of plans to implement
computer information systems
"We are attempting to keep our
curriculum modern and up-to-date,
while at the same time maintaining our em
phasis on the liberal arts."
—Dean B. Franklin Lowe, Jr.
L. M. Wallace, Jr., and Worren Sexton, professors, talk with their former students, from left, Sam
Harahan and Bill Slate, who recently attended their first meeting of the Board of Advisors. Slate
and Harahan share the opinion that justice is enhanced by the presence of an informed citizenry
who porticipate in the development of public policy and a justice system sensitive to public views.
present position, could absorb all
of the North Carolina students cur
rently enrolled in our private in
stitutions.”
Dr. Whitaker noted, “This pic
ture we have received is not meant
to be alarming but realistic
regarding demographics by the
mid 1990’s as they relate to private
colleges and Chowan in par
ticular.”
Suggestions Offered
Dr. Whitaker called for the
response and suggestions of
curriculum for the 1984-85
academic year. He noted, “we are
attempting to keep our curriculum
modem and up to date while at the
same time maintaining our em
phasis on liberal arts. We must
train people who can think. We
want our graduates to be useful
citizens and leaders and not just
followers. A computer is not
human. Someone must plan the
program for the computers. ”
Revelle said trustees and other
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