The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, October 08, 1969, Image 1
jMWMNn Student An examination and evaluation of the University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs will begin next week by a newly appointed committee. Dr. C. Peter Magrath, dean of faculties, said Tuesday the committee will consist of ten members, both faculty and student. He specified that the committee's purpose is to "ex amine the total picture of Reserve Officer Training Corps programs and suggest possible improvements." Last spring The idea originated with Magrath last spring. His assumption is that "reserve officer education is an ap propriate activity" for the University and that the program will continue in the future. But he stressed that the committee will be given a "broad mandate" to make whatever recom mendations it feels are necessary. The committee will be chaired by Dr. Philip Crowl, chairman of the department of history. Student WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, ' - ' - V ' I ' .. ' 31 -J V,v' ' ' V 1 ' I g V" y f 1 "":. I .tm."? M.'l I 8 7 , - '"Ml I . The University plans to help expand the uses of the computer with the development of a new computer program library. Computer library is being assembled by Sara Schwleder Nebraskan Staff Writer The Computer Age is sprouting In Nebraska. A new computer program library Is being assembled under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Smith, Regents Pro fessor of Physics. "This will be tho only one of its kind that I know of," noted Smith. According to Smith, the library will be composed of solutions to problems that have already been solved by computer. In addition, the computerlitd format of the problem's solution will be capable of solving problems not yet posed: Problems that have dif ferent variables but the same line of reasoning. Uses phone For example, when someone needs the solution to a problem that has been solved and Is housed in the library, the seeker merely calls on tho phono and requests the answer to that problem. Someone at the computer center must put the magnetic disc upon which the information is stored on the computer. Then the computer sends back answers. The phone, however, must be equipped with a "terminal" device that works like a teletype machine. . The terminal is a remote connection with the computer and relays com- Cuter signals to the person requesting ie solution. ... Answers are usually not on punched tape, but on a single sheet of paper ; listing data given along with the solu- - tion to the problem. - - The library includes tapes with fr. -faculty members include Thomas Dolnicek, a senior in business administration enrolled in the Air Force aerospace studies program; Gordon Neligh, a freshman in the Centennial College; and, Kenneth Noha, a first year law student who is enrolled in the Army's military science program. Faculty members include "Dr. Wallace Peterson, chairman of the economics department; Dr. Robert Narveson, associate professor of English; Dr. Mark Hammer, pro fessor of civil engineering; Dr. A. W. Epp, professor of agricultural economics; Carroll Londoner, assis tant professor of adult and continuing education; and, Capt. Hershel Pahl, chairman of the department of naval science. Magrath explained that in his ap pointments to the committee, he wanted a group with diverse backgrounds and people who are in terested in the 'purpose of the com mittee. 1969 quently recurring problems that take much time in program for the com puter, Smith said. The library can be used by people throughout the world if they have ac cess to a terminal unit. There are about 30 terminal units currently in use, each one costing $1500. Sixteen more units have been ordered. Problems The library is not accessible yet on a worldwide basis because of technical problems. Smith hopes the problems can be solved within a year. "For instance, the request for in formation must be put in a language the computer understands," Smith commented. "Computer languages vary across the U.S. and throughout the world." 1 In addition, the terminal units vary from computer to computer, making access to the library dependent on the terminal unit. "There is an infinite variety cf uses for the libraries of this nature," Smith said. "All the Nebraska statutes can be retrieved through our machine. If a senator in Washington wanted to know if a federal law conflicted with a state law, he could Interrogate the machine over the telephone and get the answer." "It would save time and effort If the secretaries in the State House typed on computer keyboards instead of typewriters," Smith added. "That way, we would have a complete record of every law at our fingertips." Fifty per cent of the library is being financed by state funds. The other 50 per cent is part of a grant awarded to Smith by the National Science Foundation. o OD group The evaluation is being conducted in an academic atmosphere, Magrath explained. He added that no crisis or emergency or specific event pro mpted the calling of the committee. The recommendations of the com mittee, to be completed by January 16 if possible, will go to Magrath as dean of faculties. He said his action on those recommendations would be determined by their nature. The dean added that the committee's findings will be advisory and will not necessarily lead to changes. The committee will examine the entire program of the various military branches, including the academic and non-academic components that com prise reserve officer education. The idea for the evaluation was readily accepted by the ROTC departments, Magrath said. He added the committee's work was not to be taken as an investigation, but rather a "cooperative evaluation." Next week Crowl, chairman of the group, said LINCOLN, Faculty survey: few classes to be let out for moratori by John Dvorak Nebraskan Staff Writer Business will not proceed as usual in some N'U classes on Wednesday. October 15. A random survey of faculty members supporting the one-day na tional Vietnam moratorium indicates that while few are planning to dismiss class entirely, many intend to devote part or all of their class time to some aspect of the anti-war protest. Dr. Ivan Volgyes plans to dismiss his two classes and attend a number of Vietnam events to be held during the day. Volgyes, an assistant pro fessor of political science, will speak at several of the events. An associate professor of English, Dr. Mordecal Marcus, debated whether to dismiss classes or not. Skydiving to be offered thru NFU A course in skydiving will again be offered through the Nebraska Free University this year. The course will introduce to those who enroll all aspects of sport parachuting and free fall, according to Marvin II e I m a n , course coirdinator. Those who sign up will have an additional opportunity to train for an actual Jump, he added. Anyone who satisfactorily completes the course and wishes to parachute once or twice can do so for a very low cost, he said. All aspects of parachuting will be included in the course outline. Among those listed are body control, parachute packing, emergency pro cedure, drift calculations, equipment cost and accuracy landing. Helman said that those interested do not have to be students to attend the classes. Registration will cost five dollars and the first classes are scheduled for Nov. 4 and 5 in the Love Memorial Auditorium. A movlo will be shown. Tuition, fees shoiv increase across nation Washington (CPS) Tuition and student fees are up about IS per cent over a year ago at state colleges and universities. Total student charges, which include dormitory and board fees as well as tuition and incidental charges, are up about seven per cent. The survey released by the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges studied 374 state schools. It noted that during the past six years fees have risen nearly 40 per cent at these schools. Some mldwestern state schools are catching up with the traditionally higher priced eastern schools. Even the seven per cent overall cost rise is higher than the rise in the Consumer Price Index for the same period. to evaluate Tuesday that the first meeting will be sometime next week. He said the committee will make its own decisions regarding how it will proceed and collect information. Other colleges and universities throughout the nation and the Department of Defense have made similar examinations, Magrath in dicated. He said there were a number of misconceptions as to how the pro grams operate and hoped that the committee would be able to effectively gather its information from which to make its recommendations. Meanwhile, in Washington this week, the Pentagon Advisory Panel on ROTC affairs "enthusiastically approved" a 61-page special com mittee report on the stauis of ROTC programs. The committee, composed six col lege educators and three military of ficers, made 21 recommendations for continuance and improvement of the college officer procurement pro-grams. teora&ha NEBRASKA He finally decided Tuesday after noon not to call off his literature course on the 15th, but to devote some time discussing poems dealing with the question of war and history. Something significant "We ouyht to be doing something significant." Marcus said. "But I don't want to coerce the students or make them a captive audience to my views." Marcus plans to take part in some of the organized moratorium activities and also talk about his antiwar views with students. "We certainly won't have any tests on that day. and students who do not attend class will have the op portunity to make up work," Dr. Dale Mesner. associate professor , o f inathmetics, said. "What I will do on that day will be partly governed by how many students attend class and what they desire." Mesner said he plans to participate in some of the moratorium activities since "it looks as if it could be a massive demonstration." He cautioned, however, that he frowns on any students skipping classes, not for the moratorium, but just for the sake of skipping. Dr. Richard F. Gilbert, associate professor of chemistry feels the United States should get out of Viet nam "as soon as It is feasible." Classes as usual He plans to hold classes as usual, however, and no discussion pertaining to Vietnam is planned. Gilbert did indicate that he will join the march to the State Capitol, and, if time permits, several other moratorium activities. The decision to either dismiss class or devote the period to Vietnam discussion Is probably easier for teachers with the usual three-day a week courses. Laboratories pose a more complicated problem. "Lab time is precious," said Ray mond E. George, assistant professor of art. "We're not going to call off classes and we won't devote class time to Vietnam discussion." George is helping arrange a display of student prints and paintings which pertain to the general Vietnam war theme. One of the most active faculty members in moratorium planning is Dr. Dan W. Schlitt, associate pro fessor of physics. A member of the moratorium steering committee, Schlitt plans to reconvene his classes on the north side of Love Library where one of the main moratorium activities will be held. Schlitt, however, is not calling off his classes and is not urging that other teachers call off classes, as he was quoted in Monday's Issue of the Dally Nebraskan. Peter, Paid Mary to appear at Pershing Peter, Paul and Mary, the interna tionally applauded folk-singing trio, will apear In concert on Nov. 7 at 8:30 p.m. at the Pershing Auditorium. Widely acclaimed at perenially gold out concerts here, the trio also is known through their record albums which have reached the several millions mark in sales. The concert is under the auspices of Corn Cobs Sc Tassels. Beginning Oct. 20, tickets will be sold at the Pershing box-office and at Ncbr. Union. Prices range from $3 to $3. Among those recommendations made by the advisory panel itself were: Dr. C. Peter Magrath "We're not pushing for anything like closing down the University on Oct. 15," he said. "We feel we will have a good demonstration if students wear arm bands and participate in the vigil and march." Letters to faculty Schlitt is heading a moratorium subcommittee that is sending letters to all faculty members on campus this week. "We're not urging the faculty to do anything," he commented, "We're just telling them what they might ex pect to happen on the 15th and that they shouldn't expect 100 per cent at tendance." The faculty members contacted all support the idea of a national Vietnam moratorium and all oppose United States involvement in Vietnam. But, opinions are divided on how to end the war or what effect the moratorium will have nationally. "The moratorium has already had an effect to some extent." said George Wolf, assistant professor of English. "There is a verv changed mood in the United States." Ihe war has dragged on and drag ged on and now it's becoming clear to many people that the war Is a fiasco, Wolf added. The English teacher is displeased with President Richard M. Nixon's statement that the Oct. 15 war protest will not have an effect on government policy. Coed lounge motion stirs IDA debate The coeducational dormitory lounge proposal, approved two weeks ago by the Board of Regents, is currently sparking controversy in the dorms. The Interdormitory Association (IDA) is scheduled to discuss and vote on the proposal Thursday evening, according to IDA vice president Barry Pllger, who listed several problems responsible for the disagreement. IDA approved the concept of coed lounges in April, Pilger said Tuesday. The organization did not designate dormitories to take part in the ex periment. The ASUN Ad Hoc Housing Com mlttee, after the recent Regents ac tion, decided that Schramm. Smith and Abel South Residence Halls would participate. Schramm Hall, however, has never been a member of IDA. "Certain people are displeased that Schramm Hall is Included," Pilger said. "IDA was bypassed when tho decision to include Schramm was made." Hurt coed visitation Another problem is that some peo ple feel approval of the lounge pro posal will hurt possibilities for total coed visitation. "I personally feel that if the lounge proposal is approved, coed visitation will be set back two years," Pilger said. Main dormitory complex lounges have always been coeducational. Each NU Ag team jdaces second in soil judging The University of Nebraska soil judging team placed second in the North Central Regional Collegiate soil judging contest Saturday. Kansas State University won the event which was sponsored by the University of Missouri. In individual judging, Larry Cihacek placed second and Warren Anthony finished fourth. ROTC that the purpose of the ROTC programs be more carefully defined as "officer education" and that this term should replace "Reserve Of ficers' Training Corps." that the administrative structure used by each of the services for ad ministration of ROTC be carefully appraised by the Defense Department to allow for more joint planning on individual campuses. that parts of the programs which fall under "military orientation," and not "professional education," not receive academic credit. that some form of institutional assistance (additional federal fun ding) of the ROTC programs "seems clearly justified." The panel also praised the special committee for developing means of organizing a partnership between the military profession and the university in the same way that the university shares in the professional education of teachers, lawyers or doctors. Vol. 93, No. 13 "Nixon's rhetoric is becoming in creasingly the rhetoric of Lyndon Johnson," Wolf said. "It seems that Nixon is going down the path of LBJ. It frightens me." Nelson Potter, a philosophy in structor, feels the moratorium will have a definite effect. There is a sizable percentage of people around here opposed to the war, he theorized. This moratorium will make these people realize there are others who are equally against Vietnam, Potter added. With war protest activities brewing in Congress and increased national publicity, it appears the moratorium is gathering momentum. Faculty letter At the University, 100 students and faculty attended a meeting to help plan the march to the State Capitol on the 15th. More than 100 faculty members signed a letter to the editor of the Daily Nebraskan supporting the moratorium. Blue and white Buttons supporting the peace effort have been grabbed up and are not available on the local or national level. Nevertheless, Volgyes, a long time opponent of the war said, "I doubt the moratorium will have an effect." But there comes a time when every man must say no, Volgyes continued. President Nixon must be made to realize the extent of public pressure against the war, he concluded. floor of the residence hall has a lounge, too, which is not open to coed visitation. The proposal, as approved by the Regents, would allow coed visiting in the lounges during certain hours on certain days. Residents decide Floor residents would decide if they want their lounges to be coeduca tional, and if so, during whflt hours. Special care would be taken to protect the privacy of all floor residents dur ing visitation. The matter of coed lounges was discussed for several hours at the IDA meeting last week. Meetings of IDA executives, dormitory presidents and other interested parties have been held during the last several weeks. Despite the difficulties, Pllger predicted the proposal would be ap proved by IDA Thursday evening. If the proposal is approved, a resource committee would be ap pointed, Pllger said. The committer would draw up final guidelines and decide exactly which dorm floors would have coed lounges. The proposal, if approved by IDA will apparently not have to go bail to the Board of Regents. Pilger said Housing Director Ely Myerscn bih other administrators will probably Stive the final go ahead for the pro ect. Lounges need upgrading One problem, according to Pilger, could be the physical condition of tin lounges. The Regents, after tourlnj one dormitory, stated that certaii upgrading of facilities might be need ed in some lounges. Problems with Inadequate or lac) of furnishings could be remedied Pilger said. Any problems with in proer decor could also be fixed. Pilger emphasized that IDA coimci members apparently feel that declsbn on the proposal should b made Thursday evening. .1 W . f v- ; V: I- 'i h v ii r