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Robert
CZZZI
: 'Rural Nebraska needs med Students'
Kocfoot;
(Editor's Note: This Is the
third of four Interviews with
newly elected members to tho
Board of Regents.)
by M1KK MORIARTY
Ncbraakan Staff Writer
One of the major concerns of
Regent-elect Dr. Robert R.
Kocfoot will deal with changing
admission policies to the
University medical school.
"I'm In favor of getting more
medical students out into the
rural areas," Kocfoot said.
"I don't think the taxpayers
should pay for a medical school
and then have the doctors run-'
nlng off to Ohio or some such
Friendship first
by DAVE BRINK
Nebraskan Staff Writer
A sparsely bearded student
ran up to a co-ed, threw his
arm around her and happily
shouted, "Mark read
tonight!'
Mark Is one of the Indian
children being tutored each
Tuesday night in the basement
of Andrews Hall. The happy
University students are
volunteer tutors.
The program was begun last
year by the Trl-University
project. Training Teachers of
Teachers (TTT), Tri-U's
replacement, has continued it
this semester. TTT sponsors
two minibuses which take the
children from their homes to
Andrews and back again. It
also provides funds for tutor
transportation to a similar
project m Winnebago. Other
students do the Winnebago
tutoring on Thursday
nights.
Two members of the TTT
program, former Head Start
teacher Arllno Kraft and
Myrliss Hershey, an elemen
tary education instructor, are
directing the program. Both
place," Grand Island surgeon
Kocfoot said.
"We might have to move
away from selecting students
who want to become
researchers and specialists,"
Kocfoot said. "Then we could
select more students who want
to become general practi
tioners," he added.
"I know the situation well
enough that we have to start
selecting a different type of
student for our medical school
If we're to get doctors out In
rural Nebraska, K 0 e f 0 0 1
said.
When questioned on tho type
of student he thinks should ba
! A
J
are enthusiastic about the pro
ject.
Kraft said Indian adults will
hopefully take over manage
ment of the program soon but
NU students will continue as
tutors. About 55 tutors, mostly
students, are working with
about 75 children. According to
Hershey more tutors are need
ed to achieve a "one to one"
relationship.
Tutors and children , are
assigned to each other on a
semipermanent basis at least
until they get tired of each
other or until two kids decide to
trade tutors, Hershey said.
Any Indian student in the se
cond grade through junior high
is eligible for the program.
Some kindergarten and first
graders have been attending
but Hershey feels they are too
young for the project.
Tutors have found numerous
diversions to interest the active
youngsters. Last Tuesday's
S3!' J
session included beadmaktog,
drawing, games, arithmetic,
painting and cramming for the
next days junior high exams.
Occasionally tutors take
children to the art gallery, the
Union, the fountain, or the col
umns. Basketball games have
also been organized for the
youngsters.
Bill Lamp and Jo Smith took
their children on a picnic and
joined Debbie Robbin and her
charge for a Halloween party.
Other tutors have visited with
the parents and schoolteachers
selected for medical school,
Koefoot replied, "Ones that
shows Interest In helping peo
ple." Another major concern of
Regent-elect Koefoot will be to
have the board assume a larger
role in running the University.
"I haven't been pleased with
the way the University has
been running," Koefoot
said.
He warned: "If you go to the
University, then you'd better
learn to adhere to the rules.
That foes for students and
faculty."
Kocfoot said when he takes
office he would like to see a
in tutor
' ! 1 'Vy1
( j) . 0 '
of their children.
Discipline Is a problem but
the tutors have largely
circumvented it by doing things
the children like. "Fun stuff Is
fine" one pointed out,
but
too
s c h 0 0 1 w 0 r k is not
popular.
Some have made games out
of studying or offered prizes for
good work. Most tutors,
however, have decided not to
push academic work too hard
and instead concentrate on
developing a good relationship
with their assigned child.
For Instance, one tutor found
herself rejected after making
her student study math. She
became a hero again by taking
the child on a visit to the dorm
to see her pet rabbit.
Hershey explained that the
young children can't be ex
pected to concentrate on
studies for two hours at a time.
She encourages the side trips
and occasional wrestling
clear policy drawn up for stu
dent and faculty code of con
duct. A point which Koefoot said
needs emphasis is "The power
in this University rests with the
Regents and nobody else."
"I'm opposed to having
students voting with the
Regents. They shouldn't have
the power to vote. But I'm
willing to listen, and if I'm
wrong then I'll change my
mind," Koefoot said.
He also said that he Is in
favor of modifying coed-visitation
rules for graduate students
who live in university buildings
which are apart from un
program
matches since they provide a
diversion.
Kraft said, the Important
thing in their view Is not how
much subject matter Is covered
but the relationship between
the child and tutor. She said
this gives the children a chance
to broaden their experiences Irt
addition to what the college
students learn from the
children.
In her words, "the study is
second to the friendship."
The formula seems to work
Everyone was having a good
time Tuesday, tutors and
students alike. Most the of the
kids were active and ex
uberant; none appeared angry
or unhappy. Even an oc
casional gang-tackling of a
tutor by five or six children
was all in fun.
One little girl. Tina Therien,
put it best. When asked what
was good about the tutoring,
slie replied, "I think It's
fun."
dergraduate living quarters.
(The Board of Regents has
continually opposed c 0 e d
visitation for the graduate
students).
The new Regent from the
Sixth District said that he
favors open board meetings,
"but I'm not opposed to having
closed executive
meetings."
And concerning the Regent
rejection of Michael Davis as a
teacher, "I wouldn't have hired
him either," Koefoot said.
Koefoot believes that the
University budget needs careful
scrutiny.
