Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 1971)
c"n 5! II A A I II IX N ffiM Inmr in J iL-- , HJ I , iJI 1 17 1911 rv m rTirirrir t L. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1971 LINCOLN, NEBRASKA ARCHIVCO VOL. 94 NO. 64 Austerity budget causes cuts in services, faculty hv GARY SEACREST w by GARY SEACREST Staff Writer For the past 20 years the annual East Campus Hospitality Day program has offered extension agents, home ec teachers and high school students across the state an opportunity to visit the University. But last week, Gov. J. J. Exon's budget recommendations for the University forced the cancellation of Hospitality Day and an accompanying fashion show. The money intended for Hospitality Day will be used to purchase supplies. And with the proposed enrollment freeze for the Lincoln campuses, officials thought it was desirable to de-emphasize recruitment-type projects. THE CANCELLATION of Hospitality Day is one example of the University's efforts to reduce costs in the event Exon's budget recommendations are adopted by the Unicameral. Exon recommended a $2.7 million cut in state funds for the Lincoln campuses for 1971-72. Howard R. Neville, vice-chancellor for business and finance, recently predicted how a cutback in funds will affect students: "There will be fewer small classes and some courses will be completely dropped from the curriculum. In addition, there will be heavier teaching loads. Students will also have to pay for some services that are now free." NEVILLE ADDED that there will also be cutbacks in the University's public service programs, if Exon's budget recommendations are adopted by the Unicameral. "I guess there might be fewer faculty next year," he remarked. Due to the Governor's budget recommendations, the Board of Regents earlier this month ordered a halt to filling vacancies on the Lincoln campuses without advanced authorization. The University is now in the process of developing a list of programs to be cut back or eliminated in an effort to fit Exons recommendations, according to Neville. He noted the Lincoln campuses will have to find or trim from current activities more than $3 million if the Unicameral approves Exon's budget proposals. "YOU HAVE TO CUT A lot to save more than than $3 million," Neville said. "We should develop quality in programs that we continue and that are meaningful to the state of Nebraska." The University is also re-studying the Regents' proposed tuition hike for the 1 971-72 school year. Chancellor D. B. Varner said recently "it would seem unfair to ask the students and the parents to bear an increasing share of the cost of their education." Neville said any reduction in the proposed tuition rates would create additional budget problems since Exon used the tuition increases as a replacement for increased state aid for University operation in 1971-72. THE REGENTS at their February meeting advised that the admission program for the Lincoln campuses should be geared to accomodate a no-growth position for at least the coming year due to Exon's budget proposals. The Regents are expected to decide on the machinery of a selective admission program at their March meeting. In the past the University has accepted any graduate of an accredited Nebraska high school. Approval of two-thirds of the Unicameral will be necessary for the University to receive more money than Exon has proposed. Neville said the University will try to persuade Exon to recommend an amended budget providing for increased state aid for the University. Neville believes the Governor will change his budget recommendations for the University if additional state revenue can be found. ADMITTING THAT he was an optimist, Neville said the University's chances of receiving more state aid are "better than 50-50." "The University will receive increased funds if we present our case well and if the people in the Legislature believe in the University," he added. However, if the Unicameral approves Exon's budget recommendations for the University, it will be the first time since the 1 930's that state aid to the University has been cut. If Exon's budget recommendations for the University are approved, the state could add another distinction to its record. In the past decade, according to University officials, only three state universities in the nation have received cutbacks in state aid. Varner forms committee to study human sexuality curriculum needs In response to the findings of a faculty committee. Chancellor D. B. Varner has decided to form an intercampus committee "to consider curricula r needs designed to deal with the expanded subject of human sexuality." Varner's announcement came after the Faculty Steering Committee on Human Sexuality had recommended that the controversial course, "Pro Seminar in llomophilc Studies." not be offered next fall. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR of psychology James K. Cole, who was a member of (he steering committee and coordinator of the class, said a curriculum dealing with the total topic of human Sexuality should replace the original homophile course. Cole emphasized thai the homophile course was "excellent" and neither inappropriate nor irrevelant. But the committee wanted a "broader concern" with the issues of sexuality, he explained, including homosexuality. He staled that the committee's suggestions were an effort to "make a good thing belter". ACCORDING TO COLE this change would probably include a shift to a behavioral and social science orientation. Ik said this would be particularity useful for pre-professional students and teachers. Cole denied that Sen. Terry Carpenter's repeated attacks on the homophile course had influenced the committee's decision. He claimed the State Senator had made investigation "very difficult" because he had politicized I he issue HOWEVER, COLE NOTED that recommendations were based on "academic and educational needs" rather han politics. Varner said the cancellation was the result of action initiated several months ago and had nothing to do with the budget battle between the University and the Legislature. Cole commended Varner and President Joseph Soshnik for backing the steering committee's efforts. VARNER'S STATEMENT SAID the new committee would be composed of representatives from the University campuses at Lincoln. Omaha, and the Medical Center. It further stated that the committee's recommendations should be discussed with Varner and the Regents. Cole concurred with the statement and said the administration has been "extremely cooperative". Cole added hat the decision of the steering committee, which included the principal faculty members teaching the homophile course, was unanimous. SKI J V5 9 l W ' w..- Neville . . . optimistic Disruption bill moves to Legislature floor by JIM PEDERSEN Staff Writer A considerably amended student-faculty disruptions bill was advanced to general file by the Unicameral's Educational Committee Tuesday. Sen. C. W. Holmquist's LB 445. which provides for the dismissal of any faculty member and expulsion of any student engaging in "disruptive" activities received favorable comment from Stephen L. Rozman and Regents' attorney Flavel Wright in hearincs Monday. THE COMMITTEE, which voted 8-0 to advance the legislation, adopted almost all of Wright's suggested amendments which included transferring responsibility for holding hearings from the governing body at NU. the Board of Regents of the institution to a committee designated by that body. No mention was made as to the composition of the committee. Wright also convinced the committee to add to the bill a section which reads: "The term 'dismissal does not include failure to renew a probationary appointment of any faculty member or administrative staff member." THUS. UNTENU RED faculty members. Such as Rozman. whose contracts are not renewed remain essentially outside the protective procedure established by the bill. The committee, however, rejected Wright's proposal to make private hearings for those charged with disruption. The bill still provides for public hearing before any faculty member can be dismissed or student expelled. Under Nebraska public hearing statutes, however, the committee holding the hearing can move into "executive or closed session" from which the public is barred and essential details can be discussed in private. IN OTHER ACTION The Education Committee advanced LB 446. sponsored by Senators Ernie Chambers of Omaha and Fern Hubbard Orme of Lincoln, which prohibits teachers from inflicting corporal physical punishment in elementary and secondary schools. The bill was approved by a 7-1 vote. The committee added an Orme amendment which provides for the Teachers Professional Practices Commission to investigate charges of corporal punishment and recommend to the local school board whether the license of the teacher involved should be revoked. The committee also added a provision which would allow teachers to use physical force in protection of their persons or property. IN HEARING TESTIMONY Monday, several teachers from Horace Mann Junior High School in Omaha revealed that school administrators there use paddles to punish students. One Omaha parent, Dean Kelley, showed the committee a wooden paddle he said was used on his son who he said is a victim of cerebral palsy.
