dailu nebraskan
Wednesday, decern ber 6, 1978 vol. 102 no. 55 lincoln, nebraska
'New kid on the block3 hopes to improve communication
By Cindy Coglianese
He calls himself the new kid on the block. His office
is evidence that a lot more of Jim Raglin will be moved
into his Director of Public Affairs office at Regents Hall.
Raglin, 53, was appointed as the Director of Public
Affairs in November by the Board of Regents, a position
that had not been filled in three or four years, Raglin
said.
Previously a columnist and assistant managing editor
for the Lincoln Journal, Raglin said he left the newsroom
for the office because he "enjoys change.
"Young people think change is exclusively theirs. 1
enjoy change also, I like something different. Hell, I don't
think you have to be young to try something different."
The Independence, Kan. native said since he has been
in office, he has found the coffee, the restrooms, his
boss's office and pens and paper, although, he said, the
paper sometimes gives him trouble.
"Actually my chief responsibility is mainly commun
icating with the general public. The system has really not
been communicating or at least that's what I've been
told," Raglin said.
"IH be writing news stories and helping broadcasters
and making speeches. I think the university system is
probably a mystery to the student body too and I have
them on my priority list." Raglin added that he will be
truthful to the students in his reporting because they have
a good concept of what happens on the UNL campus.
"I'm just a communicator," Raglin said.
Various stories about UNL, and having three children
study at the university have helped to familiarize Raglin
with the university system. He said that issues have
changed since his three children have been at UNL.
"Today students aren't necessarily content," he said.
"I think issues are still provocative to them. They are less
anti-establishment."
Raglin said he makes his judgements concerning the
students from talking with his children and students at
UNL, whether it be over a beer, a cup of coffee or on the
bus.
One of his sons, Jack, is an artist for the Daily Ne
braskan. Raglin said parents and taxpayers are con
cerned with paying for their children's education, cars and
other materials.
"It's devastating what inflation does to most parents,"
Raglin said.
Raglin is optimistic, though, about his new job.
"This is a great university. I'm not a graduate but 1
guess I have enough skepticism in me. There's a lot to be
proud of and I'm enthused about expanding that pride."
"I think this university delivers a hell of an education
for the bucks," he added.
Though his enthusiasm for his new $26,500 a year job
i7p A
Photo by Jerry McBride
Jim Raglin, director of public affairs at Regents Hall, says he will miss the newsroom but will enjoy the change.
seems genuine enough, Raglin does admit to a loyalty to
writing, reporting and the newsroom. He describes his
attraction to journalism like the Sirens of Greek mytholo
gy that lure seamen close to the rocks with their singing:
Raglin earned his B.S. degree from the University
of Kansas, worked at a few odd jobs and then began work
for the Lincoln Journal in 1951. In 1962, Raglin and
another reporter started a public relations firm where he
stayed 12 years until he came back as assistant managing
editor of the Journal.
He more recently wrote a column for the Journal on
"things in general."
My column was once called 'Close to Home,' Raglin
said. "Then a sweeping re-do of graphics threw away all
column heads leaving them nameless. Suddenly my
column head became white space.
"It was a general column, anything I wanted to write
about. I could write things that were in reverse position of
editorials and poke fun -hilariously and judiciously, I
hope."
Raglin said that was a reason why it was hard to give
up his three -times-a -week column.
The change of jobs had no erfect on his favorite
hobby-reading.
"I'm going to lose my eyesight because of reading,"
Raglin said. "I have no reading discipline," adding
that he reads everything including candy wrappers and
who made the stop sign.
"I'm more discerning with what I eat than with
what I read," he said.
"I'm always going to miss the newsroom," Raglin
concludes, "but I am very excited about this job."
n
s.. 5 fey M
MRU 7 i
Regent listens to Nebraskans and students
Daily Nebraskan photo
Regent Robert Raun of Minden is
known as the barnyard lawyer to
members of the board.
inside
Wednesday
Lights out: Energy conservation may
become a necessity for many off
campus students as electric rates
rise again page 6
Who's got the Button? Reviewer says
Playhouse's new production lacks
professionalism page 8
Nancy, we're staying: Tom Osborne
decides to stay in Lincoln .page 1 0
By L. Kent Wolgamott
Editor's note: This is the second in a
series of in-depth profiles of the eight
members of the NU Board of Regents.
Four student body presidents serve on
the NU Board of Regents, the three
campus body presidents and a former stu
dent body president, Regent Robert Raun
of Minden.
A 1951 graduate of the university, Raun
was a member of the Innocents Society,
Gamma Sigma Delta and Alpha Zeta hon
orary organizations and Alpha Gamma Rho
social fraternity.
A farmer and stockman who lives south
of Minden, Raun maintains contact with
the university in a very personal way, as
four of his children, Carol , a senior in Tea
chers College, Kevin, a senior in agricul
ture, Chris a junior in Arts and Sciences
and Elizabeth, a sophomore in Home
Economics, attend UNL.
Based on his experience with his
children, Raun had this to say about the
role of the regents as substitute parents:
"I think the die is cast when students
come to the university. Most are adults by
that time or if they're not they should be.
But, at the same time, the parents of the
students expect that we should have a
reasonable amount of regulations.
Not parents
"I think we need to take a moderate po
sition on rules. We aren't here to play the
role of parents, but parents expect that we
won't just let things go."
An Air Force veteran who holds a com
mission in the Air Force Reserve, Raun
also is a member of the Nebraska Water
Resources Association, the Nebraska Live
stock Feeders Association and the Rotary
Club.
The 50-year-old regent was appointed
to the board on Jan. 11, 1966 by former
Democratic Gov. Frank B. Morrison to fill
the unexpired term of former Republican
Gov. Val Peterson who had resigned.
Raun was elected for a full term on
Nov. 5, 1968, defeating Robert Koefoot
who now serves on the board along with
Raun. Regental districts were reappor
tioned following the 1970 census, allowing
both men to serve on the board.
Barnyard lawyer
He was re-elected in 1974 to serve a
six year term which expires in 1980.
Raun is one of the best members of the
board, according to ASUN President and
Student Regent Ken Marienau.
Raun said he sees his primary role as
regent as selecting competent administra
tors, assessing their performance and
making large-scale policy decisions such as
setting budget guidelines.
Raun is known as the "barnyard law
yer" to members of the board according
to Marienau.
Marienau said Raun's knowledge of the
practical application of the law earned him
that title from his colleagues and led to
their habit of asking Raun for his opinion
on legal questions, partly in jest but with
respect for his knowledge.
Raun, who represents 21 counties in
south-central and southwest Nebraska has
been a strong voice on the board for the
College of Agriculture and agricultural
research.
Listen to students
A conservative representative of his
area, Marienau said, Raun is honest and
open with students and will listen to and
consider students' opinions.
"There is no question that I listen to the
tax-paying citizens of Nebraska," Raun
said. "Not just parents of students. That
does not mean the views of students are
not considered because they are."
Raun voted to remove mandatory stu
dent fee funding for speakers but he said
the system set up by the regents should
work well.
"I think the structure of the program as
it now stands will accommodate a very
good speakers program, but its going to de
pend on determination and hard work on
the part of the students."
One man, one vote
Raun also said he opposes the concept
of a voting student regent.
"I don't think that voters would ap
prove of a voting student regent and if
they did, I think it would be unconsti
tutional because the courts have insisted
that in all governing bodies the principle
of one man, one vote be used.
He said constitutional problems of dual
representation and possible out-of-state res
idency of student body presidents (last
year's ASUN President Greg Johnson is
from Balti, S.D.) would work against the
concept of a voting student regent.
Raun has consistently voted against
allowing alcohol on campus.
Raun said he felt NU's reputation
among other colleges and universities is
"quite good. I wish it were better, but wc
are making progress."