Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Oct. 28, 1975, edition 1 / Page 2
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page two/the Carolina journal/october 28 1975 Dean of Students discusses University Senate By Les Bowen The Carolina Journal recently had an opportunity to talk to Dean of Students Dennis Rash about the University Senate. Most students know little about the purpose, function or membership of the Senate. Dean Rash stated, “The Senate was designed on the concept that we are, whether we like it ot not, a University Community.” Rash said certain issues affect everyone on campus-faculty, students and staff-and that the idea of the Senate was “for everyone to have input into decisions that affect the entire UNCC community.” The Senate acts as an advisory body to the chancellor though it has no legislative power. Rash said that the Senate should “...act as a sounding board for people...to propose action or focus attention on matters that are of general concern.” The body is made up of 15 faculty members, 13 students and six staff members. The 15 faculty members include 12 from the colleges, one from the library, one from the Student Affairs Division and the President of the Faculty. The student representatives include the President of the Student Body. Presently, however, the Senate contains only 12 students because they did not elect a representative in the fall election. Rash termed the extremely low voter turnout for the fall election “not encouraging”. He noted that there is “some skepticism on campus about the Senate...that would indicate that the Senate needs to move on important issues confronting the University to sort of prove its validity.” Rash did say, however, that he felt the Senate had the support of the student body. “The Constitution within which the Senate was established by, had to be approved by a two-thirds vote,” he said, “if people had not really wanted the Senate it would have been shot down.” Rash said the chancellor is convening the Senate for its first meeting on November 6. Once the group meets, it will have to decide how often it will meet in the future. The Constitution does not specify any particular meeting schedule. Rash said that in the past, one meeting every two weeks has proved to be too often. He said that the Senate has been meeting once a month for the past few years with committee meetings in between. The Senate will elect its own President and Executive Committee. The provision in the Constitution dealing with senatorial terms of office is rather unusual. It requires that the senators all draw straws to see who will get a one-year term and who will serve for two years. Rash explained that “the idea was to have continuity. Previously, in the summer the Senate would stop meeting because the members had nearly completed their terms of office.” Rash said that the most important and effective part of the Senate was the Universitv Planning Committee. Accordins to Rash, the Planning Committee will look into the educational needs that the University serves and examine programs that might meet those needs Rash said that the committee would look into the cost and the viability of such programs, and make recommendations to the chancellor accordingly. Rash also mentioned the sub-committee for construction, which makes recommendations on building construction and the aesthetic aspects of the campus, such as how much green space will be preserved, etc. JUDICIAL CORNER Commuter Association plans by Doug Lerner Student Superior Court Chief Justice THE JUDICIARY and the MEDIA Just last week while watching WBTV’s six o’clock report, I saw their camera’s turn to our campus. I thought it would be interesting to see and hear how our community media would comment on and interpret some of UNCC’s happenings. I was surprised, however, to hear the reporter, a Ms. Debbie Mann, telling her viewers (a good deal of Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas) the reasons the Student Superior Court of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte decided to acquit a student who was accused of disrupting an assembly on campus by his actions—the throwing of marshmallows. The reason I was surprised to here our views being broadcast was that the Student Superior Court had yet to disclose its opinion on the case to the public. The reasons for finding the defendant not guilty were complex and strongly tied to the evidence presented before the Court in the five hour hearing of October the 12th. WBTV reduced our decision to some vague references to the ‘ambiguity’ of the code under which the defendant was tried. While the nature of the code was, of course, an integral part of the decision, the importance of this aspect of the case was not necessarily the central issue in the matter. I question the propriety of a television station of WBTV’s stature taking, out of context, the views of individuals who were not privy to the deliberations of our Court, and who have yet to read the opinion of that same Court, and establishing these as the views of our Court. The individuals interviewed on the matter were Dennis Rash, Dean of Students apd David Ledbetter, Clerk of the Court. These people are directly involved in the student judiciary and are entitled to give knowledgable, personal views on what transpired at the hearing. However, in fact, neither of them were a part of the private deliberations of the Court, a matter restricted only to the Justices of the Court themselves. In this particular case, many concepts and ideas were brought out. The Court was able to hear expert opinion and testimony on many matters, some relevant yet not central to the case before us. The Student Superior Court decided this case after contemplation of all the evidence and testimony. We heard opinions on the clarity of the code itself, the intent of the defendant, the result of his actions, the feelings of those directly involved with the incident in both the administration and the student body and much on the fundamental policies of the University. In our private deliberations, one or more of these points were considered the most persuasive. Ambiguity was not necessarily the main issue. The defendant was found not guilty. It is conceivable that he was, in fact, not guilty and that his dismissal was based on more than unclear law. The Opinion of the Court treats this question with the consideration it deserves. To say, as this news station did, that the defendant was dismissed because a law was unclear underestimates the quality of the evidence presented before us by both sides and the ability of the Justices to reach a reasoned decision based on that evidence. I suggest to the staff of WBTV news that they evaluate the opinions of our Court and other organizations on our campus on the basis of what we say. I suggest that before ‘informing’ the general public as to how the Student Superior Court of UNCC feels that they read how we feel in our opinion or ask one of us how we feel. This policy just might prevent misinformation about our campus from being circulated in the future. In the Student Judiciary-A hearing will be held on Sunday Night, November the 2nd at 7:30 in room Atkins 31 on the question of whether or not it is legal to require the listing of student ID numbers on petitions before the Student Body as per a previous ruling by the Student Superior Court, All those wishing to give evidence and opinions on this matter are encouraged to attend.The Student Judiciary became the first student organization to submit copy for a Cone Center tape/information system that begins operation in March. This system will allow a convenient way for students to receive information about the services and groups on campus over the phone. to raise money for Easter Seals By Donna Hoover The Commuter Association met on Wednesday, October 22nd at 12 noon in the Commuter Lounge. Rusty Gilmore, Chairman of the Finance Committee, was first on the agenda to report the $1800 budget proposed last week is being considered by the Finance Committee of Student Legislature. Ervin Sims, President of the Commuter Association, introduced Mr. Richard Wingard, Special Director of Carolina Journal photo by Gene Russell Richard Wingard Director of Easter Seals Easter Seals, to the group. Mr. Wingard enumerated the various services that the Easter Seal Society provides: special camping programs for disabled youngsters and adults during the year; providing transportation for the handicapped to clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers; working nationally to eliminate barriers in public buildings in order to make them more accessible to individuals with disabling conditions. These are just a few of the over 100 services carried on through the Easter Seal Society, Wingard maintained. He went on to propose the Commuter Association participate in the Canister Drive. Interested commuters could sign up to take at least two canisters either to their places of employment or local restaurants, businesses or factories in towns where commuters reside. He suggested each person regularly check on the monies collected each week in order to prevent the funds from being ripped off. Ervin Sims introduced a German custom called Volks Lauf as a means of raising funds for Easter Seals. Volks Lauf is a long march in a forest or wooded area. Hikers must follow a certain trail in order to reach a refreshment center (beer). A monetary contribution must be made before hikers can participate. Geoff Wallwork, Chairman of the Publicity Committee, added that all contributions to Easter Seals will not go to a central agency for distribution as compared to the United Way. Contributions made have a direct benefit for seven counties in this area. The Association adopted as a service project the raising of money to aid in the programs of the Easter Seal Society. A Steering Committee was formed to consider and formulate methods of achieving the goals for the Easter Seal Service Project. The following individuals volunteered to serve on the Steering Committee: Rusty Gilmore, Hank Wenkenwirder, John Norris, Ray Drye, Geoff Wallwork, Janie Helms, Donna Hoover, Charlie Reid, Jack Summerlin, Ron Martin, with Francis Dolley as Chairperson. An organized meeting of this group is set for Tuesday, October 28th at 12:30 pm in the Commuter Lounge. On March 27th and 28th Channel 18 (WCCB) will be sponsoring the Easter Seals Telethon. At that time, the Commuter Association will present a check to the Easter Seal Society of television for the total amount of funds collected Carolina Journal photo by Gene I Geoff Wallwork Chairman of the Public Relations Committee by commuters. Involvement in this project is not limited to only commuters. Dorm students, faculty, and staff members are invited to participate either with their time or a contribution. Just come by the Commuter Lounge to sign up or better still attend a Commuter Association meeting. ^^Critical Issues...76^’ planning session By Steve Bass The Institute for Urban Studies and Community Service at UNCC held a planning session for the “Critical Issues...76” program in the Gold Room of Cone University Center Thursday October 25, 1975. The brainstorming session consisted of discussion of the proposed program outline, publicity campaigns for the program, and program development. According to the Interim Report filed by program coordinator Mary Dawn Liston, the objectives of “Critical Issues...76” are to: (1) provide UNCC faculty the opportunity to become involved in a land use community education program related to individual research interests; (2) to increase citizen understanding of land use issues in Mecklenburg County and options open to the public; (3) To develop a mechanism to facilitate e ffective communication between decision-makers an(i the citizenry on land-use issues; and (4) to explore the possibility of offering similar programs in other counties in the future. The program to be conducted in April of 1976 will begin to advertise extensively and distribute brochures in November. Study involving from eight to 3° people, will investigate land use issues through discussions wit faculty members, use of texs and multi-media presentations. Participant views and concerns will be recorded and ^ to appropriate local ^ the Critical Issues Steering Committee.
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