Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 1985)
UocJnGGcJay Weather: Partly cloudy and humid today through Thursday. Southerly winds 15-25 mph with a high today of 87. Low tonight 65. Early morning tog on Thursday with a high of 90. Barb BrandaDally Nebraskan Yogurt yogis delighted about tasty bacteria Arts and Entertainment, page 12 Reporter turned catcher can't quite cut the mustard in the 'big leagues' Sports, page 10 September 18, 1985 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Vol. 85 No. 17 Stuideiits seto (DIE Opt ii. , appeal . By Molly Adams Staff Reporter . Even though appealing a grade is often suc cessful and open to all UNL students, not many use the process, said Ombudsman Robert Filbeck. Filbeck said some cases of grade discrepan cies have a "pretty good chance of appeal." Filbeck, who sees about 25 students each semester about grade appeals, said he thinks it's worth students' effort to talk with him about the case. The ombudsman can predict the appeal and offer advice. The ombudsman also can be a buffer zone between students and instructors if students feel uncomfortable about confronting teachers alone. P Although Filbeck said that no prediction is "100 percent sure," he said he can help students prepare a case for appeal. However, the number of students who actually appeal grades is relatively small. Stephen Hilliard, assistant dean in the Col lege of Arts and Sciences, said his college's grade appeals committee hears five to 12 cases a year. Hilliard said he thinks even this number could be reduced if all instructors would supply a clearly defined syllabus that outlines grading policies. "Confusion begins when things aren't in writ ing, so most students are sincere in their requests," Hilliard said. Even if an appeal does not result in a grade change, students can still feel proud because they challenged the system, he said. Thomas Hubbard, director of accounting in the College of Business Administration agreed with Hilliard's view. "At least the students know they tried and possibly have a better understanding of why they received the grade they did," Hubbard said. Hubbard also said that by having students appeal grades, departments are able to identify problems in faculty grading procedures. Hilliard said if students feel they have been graded unfairly, they should be assertive and use their option to appeal. Richard Boohar, chief adviser and associate professor in the school of life sciences, said that as an instructor he has had only two students appeal a grade in his 19 years at UNL. Boohar said he wishes more students would speak up if they feel there is a problem with a grade. Many grade conflicts are caused by a comput ing error, which is a mistake that can be easily corrected, he said. But if students still want to appeal a grade, the division of Academic Services suggests they contact the instructor and try to resolve the problem. Nine times out of 10 the problem can be corrected at this point. If it can't be resolved this way, students should speak with the chairperson of the depart ment. The complaint must be written and pres ented to the department chairperson. The grade appeals committee of the depart ment will hear both sides of the issue, make a recommendation about the appeal and inform the student and instructor. ? V ? f f ( n mi m ;v'f .; iUJ J U YW 1 Mark DavisDaily Nebraskan Construction continues during the early hours Monday as the Animal Science Complex takes shape. Animal center completion date set From Staff Reports The Animal Science Complex on East Campus is scheduled to be finished in Sep tember or October of 1987, almost 20 years after the initial plans were made. Elton Aberle, animal science department chairman, said the complex, an addition to Marvel Baker Hall and Loeffel Hall's Meat Laboratory originally was planned before Marvel Baker Hall was finished in 1968. "Marvel Baker Hall was designed without teaching facilities," Aberle said. "It was built to replace livestock housing that was old already in 1968," he said. Livestock is kept in the Judging Pavilion, which was built in 191 5, Aberle said. The Beef Cattle Barn, which also houses livestock, was built a few years later, he said. Lack of money delayed construction of the Animal Science complex until May, he said. The $19.1 million addition will include classrooms, office space, modern livestock housing, computer rooms, a meat processing area and facilities for intensive farm animal research, Aberle said. Marvel Baker Hall will be remodeled some and still will be used, Aberle said. Efficient custodians keep union costs down By Linda Hartmann Staff Reporter The main lounge of the Nebraska Union is in a . state of disarray. Beside the furniture, trash cans overflow with pop cans. Popcorn trails are scat tered across the floor. "Monday Night Football" blares from a big-screen TV. A woman stoops to pick up discarded newspapers strewn everywhere. This scene is typical each day for the union's custodial staff. Between 7,500 and 10,000 people walk through the union's doors every day, said Daryl Swanson, Nebraska Union director. Fourteen custodians clean up the messes left behind. Bill Behmer, Nebraska Union operations man ager, said it costs 86 cents per square foot, or $146,200, to clean the union each year. He said that is a good average compared to cleaning rates at UNO and local public schools. He attributes the Nebraska Union's efficiency to the good peo ple doing custodial work. One such person is Brenda Portsche, who has worked the night shift for two years. Portsche said students sometimes take her work for granted, but usually they are appreciative. Janet Freeman, who works the day shift, picks up trash from the main lounge and puts it in a 50-gallon trash can a job she says is done four times a day. Freeman said the work is easier in the summer, but she likes the exciting bustle of student activity during the regular school year. She is taking independent-study courses to fin ish her art degree. "Custodial work is good for anyone," she said. "It teaches you to appreciate how much work it is." Freeman said she has placed trash cans closer to chairs and watched to see if people use them more. On Halloween one year, Freeman put a mask on her trash can and passed out candy as she cleaned the lounge. She said it is the smiles and energy of students that keep her job lively. Please see CUSTODIANS on 6 No lawsuit expected from Christian speech ByJenDeselms Staff Reporter A traveling Christian lecturer will return to UNL Friday to give a religion-based speech about "Maximum Sex," but his sponsor doesn't expect the legal problems that came up on his first visit. McDowell's 1980 appearance at UNL caused the NU Board of Regents to change a policy regarding religious groups' use of the university. After McDowell spoke in the Nebraska Union, two UNL students filed a suit in student court against the four campus groups that sponsored McDowell's talks, which were religion-oriented. The Baptist Student Union, Campus Crusade for Christ, Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship and Navigators-UNL were found guilty of violating a UNL policy that said the university is not available for any organized event if it includes religious worship or testimony. The four groups were given one year probation by the student court. After McDowell's appearance, the regents changed their campus policy to allow chancel lors to designate space within a building that can be rented by any group for occasional reli gious services as long as the space is not rented for the recurring religious services of any partic ular group. The groups charged with the violation reported to the ASUN Senate during their probation. They tried to appeal the decision, but the Student Court had no procedure for appeals. Marlene Beyke, ASUN director of development, said the issue precipitated changes in the Student Court System. For example, the University Appeals Board was assigned to be the court of appeals for the Student Court, Beyke said. McDowell will appear in the Nebraska Union Centennial Room Friday at 7 p.m. TV- -