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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1974)
J UNlVERSHV OF NESRASKA " "'''"""'"TrjKMid '"" FEB 1 1974 ' archives ) f rjay f ebruary 1 , 1 974 T. r Sex roles slowly crumbling in classes By Jane Hoge Can a woman major in construction management and come out smiling? Do home economics instructors welcome men into their classes? According to six UN L students, the answer is yes. Teri Edeal is a senior majoring in agronomy. AT UNL last semester, male agronomy majors out numbered females 106 to 40. "Everybody has been super-helpful," she said. "I get teased a lot, but it's all in jest. You make friends that way." Gloria Benis, a sophomore electrical engineering major, is the only woman in about half her classes. She said she had expected problems but has not encountered any. The major requires a lot of studying, but there is no prejudice against females, she said. Last semester Benis was the only female electrical engineering major among 348 males. Sam Ridge is a sophomore majoring in human development. For every male major, there were about 54 female majors last semester. , However, Ridge said he hasn't noticed any female chauvinism in the classroom. Several men came to class the first day, saw all the women and said, "We're going to drop it," Ridge recalled. Construction management had about 132 majors last semester. Colleen Simon, a senior, was the only female major. "If you're the only girl, you do stand out. The teachers remember your name, but they treat everyone the same." James Walla, a freshman, majors in interior design. In the textiles, clothing and design department, he is outnumbered 57 to 1 by females. "The instructors might tend to look at men more because there are so few of us," Walla said, but he said he hasn't noticed any problems. Jayne Cox is one of 19 female animal science majors among 261 male majors. "The classes are geared for guys," she said, "because that's mainly who are in the classes. But if you're willing to get in there and try, the teachers are willing to help you." Four of the six interviewed said that home atmosphere caused them to choose a major traditionally dominated by the other sex. Edeal, who is married and farms with her husband near Overton, alwsfs has lived on a farm and was interestedin a "feTOfiUt.fiejd , Benis' father is a systems engineer in Lincoln. Her two younger brothers also plan to become engineers. Simon's father is head of a contracting firm in North Platte. Ridge's family is involved in puppeteering. Because of that, he said he has worked with a lot of children and decided to major in human development. None of the six said they expect discrimination when they graduate and look for jobs. "Since there are no guys in this field (interior design), I might have a better chance," Walla said. "I hava to survive on my own, though. I don't expect favors." Cox would like to manage a ranch or a livestock operation. She said the field is becoming "more and more open to women." Ridge said, "Getting a job will be easier for me. Males in this field (human development) are so few, I have an unfair advantage. I can't help it." 7 E-.sjffllH(w'I npf -'i&m-w V? Sam Ridye first became interested in majoring in human development because of his family's interest in puppeteering. Council hears housing report While a task-force report end other business consumed much of the Council on Student Life's (CSL) meeting time Wednesday night, the delivery of a differentiated-housing report provided the big news of the evening. The report, prepared by the CSL Differentiated Housing Task Force, contains recommendations about different housing situations in UNL residence halls. Some of the recommendations in the report include: -different visitation policies in different residence halls. Some might have no co-ed visitation hours, other hails might have 6. 1 2, 1 8 or 24 hours of co-ed visitation. -specifying certain residence hall floors for students with similar interests such as a floor for architectural , students, a floor for students interested in music, etc. Tim Evensen, the task force chairman, released the report to the Council at Wednesday's meeting, and the ; Council plans to review it at its meeting next Thursday. In other business, Roy Arnold, CSL Registration Task Force chairman, reported on tha group's progress. It was charged by CSL to evaluate the UNL registration 'process and make recommendations or changes in the current system if needed. Arnold reported that questionnaires are to be mailed out to 2,000 UNL stents, randomly selected by computer, and to all UNL faculty members. The questionnaire includes questions on the registration system, drop-and-add, advising and student I.D.S. Recipients are asked to evaluate and suggest improvements in those areas. In other action, CSL member Bill Freudenberg made a motion that a task fores be established to look at, the current UNL system of fees and fines, ami the appellate 'system dealing with these. According to Ely Meyerson, CSL member and UNL dean of administration for student affairs, a similar report had been done two or three years gd. The Council appointed t three-member committee to (Jssidt iMiaiHat such task force is necessary, in view of the previous report. Financial troubles kill intern program By Mark Hoffman An intern program that enabled students to learn how different UNL departments function survived its operational trial last year, but succumbed to the financial ax. The program allowed students to take on staff duties in the UNL Financial Aids Office, Recreation and Intramurals Dept., Counseling Center and Foreign Students Office. The program was discontinued after only a year because of lack of money and because only four students benefited from the program, reported Ely Meyerson, UNL dean of administration for student affairs. He said he felt other student croups might benefit more from the money spent on the internships. The Student Affairs Office, in cooperation with the ASUN Senate, sponsored the program with funds from student fees. UNL Chancellor James Zumberge appropriated the money. Total cost of the program came to aoout 3o,wu, wiin the bulk of the money going .for students' salaries, according to Meyerson. Despite the financial consideration, he said the program was successful. The ottices benefited by having a student's viewpoint on programs and in decision-making, Meyerson said. Meyerson said three of the four departments participating reported favorably about the program. UNL director of recreation and intramurals, Daniel Steller, said he "felt it was worth the money" for the students involved and for students as a whole. Jano Tinstman, Recreation and Intramurals Dept. intern attended meetings with housing officials and meetings on budget requests to understand "the in-fighting" for budgeting, he said. She also was involved in planning programs, including .ihe coed recreation program and cross-country skiing. Ron Fritz, financial aids adviser, said the complexity of financial aids limited the program's success in that office. He said it was difficult trying to train a student in only nine months of part-time work for a position which usually takes two or three years of training. He said federal regulations and the confidentiality involved in working with students' financial aid also limited the office in giving an intern responsibilities. The program was started at the recommendation of former ASUN President Steve Fowler, Meyerson said.
