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Show February 3, 1984 Forum Page 7 i t feature articles f Instructor Turnover Converns Computer Science Majors I I h I f ? S I k k Students are concerned with a revolving-doo- r problem in the Westminster computer science program, due to the recent turnover of professors in that department First Tom Miller left and now Mike Sonshine has resigned. This is very disruptive because just when you get used to the style of one director or teacher, he quits and then a new one comes along," said one computer science major, who wished to remain anonymous. According to Craig Green, vice president for college relations, Westminster was surprised by the abrupt decision of Sonshine, former director of the Westminster computer science program, to leave the school at the end of the spring semester. 4 r Sonshine replaced Miller in the computer science department at the beginning of the fall semester. Miller gave short notice before leaving to accept a better position in Idaho. t In both cases money was one of the factors, but is true of any computer science instructor throughout the United States. They can all make more money in industry than they can in academics, said Stephen Baar, dean of the school of arts and sciences. that f I i dedicated program director and more e instructors who will stay as long as Miller did. Miller worked at Westminster for 17 years. full-tim- by John Dahmen Even with the increase in the number of students seeking a degree in computer science, there is rarely any fight for computer time. As one student out it, Im not worried about getting time on a terminal. The biggest uncertainty is finding a I think that Tom Miller set up a fine computer science program at Westminster and the future is bright for our students," says Wolford. Presently, David Wolford, assistant professor, is e faculty member in the computer science program. In a period there have been three different e instructors. the only Still, a program major who doesnt want to be full-tim- five-mont- named, warns, If the computer science program e doesnt get some teachers and a department head that is going to stay over a long period of time, I will have to transfer to another college to earn my degree." full-tim- h full-tim- We are looking for at least one more e instructor and are trying to update the equipment and improve on what already exists," said Green. full-tim- According to Allan A. Kuusisto, temporary dean of faculty and academic vice president, the consequences of reorganization have been most dramatic in the computer science program, but the college is in the process of changing all that e Right now adding faculty in computer science is a top priority, Kuusisto said As a part of a national search for a computer science director, an ad was placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The college is accepting applications and will be interviewing for the position in February. They expect someone to come in the summer and begin in the fall, said Baar. full-tim- Registration statistics for fall semester, 1983, show that the number of students majoring in business is 259, nursing is second at 151, and the rapidly growing computer science program is a close third at 148 students. According to Sheryl Phillips, registrar, the number of students seeking a degree in computer science is increasing due in part to the number transfering from the University of Utah. Daw Wolford, assistant professor in the computer science department, says Westminster students are trained to be first-da- y productive employees, Wolford Joins Computer Program by Nanci Boyd e David Wolford, now a assistant professor in the computer science department, offers Westminster students proof that real world computer-scienc- e opportunities are not earth-bounWolford previously worked on the Atlas Agena Launch Crew putting up satellites and the Blue Scout missile. At the Cambridge Research Labs, he and his group determined the atmospheric content of Mars and put in the first nose cone. His other jobs have included NRDS (nuclear rocket development station), Eyring Re search Institute, Snow College, and Weber State full-tim- d. I re-ent- ry College. Wolford says that he loves teaching and is happy to be here at Westminster. I enjoy the students and havent met a faculty person here that isn't just fantastic." Wolford first joined Westminster as a part-tim- e faculty member during the fall, 1983 semester. ATTENTION BSN CLASS OF 1984 The Air Force has a special program for 1984 BSNs. If selected, you can enter active duty soon after graduation without waiting for the results of your State Boards. To qualify, you must have an overall B average. After commissioning, youll attend a internship at a major Air Force medical facility. Its an excellent way to prepare for the wide range of experiences youll have serving your country as an Air Force nurse officer. five-mont- Call Capt. Nona Hall Collect (801) 524-40- 08 h We are very happy that Dave Wolford could e join as a faculty member in computer full-tim- great way of life. science this semester. He has both the academic and business experience to best help our students, said Steve Baar, dean of arts and sciences. Westminster has better quality computer science students than those in other schools he has experienced, said Wolford. The immediate and longterm employment opportunities are excellent for Westminsters students. The training at Westminster involves not only a theoretical, but a practical application as well, and employers are pleased with the first-da- y productive employees Westminster educates, said Wolford. Hed like to see a few changes so that students have the widest possible access to equipment He said that Westminster needs a better facility for computers and to consolidate the equipment that is spread out in different areas. Wolford received his bachelors of science in data processing from Weber State College. He is currently finishing his masters degree in instructional technology at Utah State University in Logan. Agent Orange Research Affects 48 Student Veterans by Christopher Satovick Thousands of Viet Nam veterans may have been exposed to the toxic herbicide, Agent Orange, which was used during the Viet Nam war from March, 1965, through June, 1970, according to a Nov., 1983, issue of Agent Orange Review, Forty-eigWestminster student veterans could have been affected by exposure to the chemical during the war, according to the campus veterans affairs office. ht V allejo Ginyard, a current Westminster student who was in Viet Nam when the chemical was being used, says that neither he nor his two children now appear to suffer any effects. However, Ginyard says many people were affected by the chemical. The chemical caused many ecological effects, according to Ginyard. He said it seriously upsets the balance of nature. Areas sprayed with the chemical were and still are, in some places, unsuitable for cultivation. A Full-tim- e According to Agent Orange Review, a monthly newsletter on research concerning the chemicals effects, the chemical was widely used to control crops throughout the world as early as 1940 by farmers, foresters, and homeowners. It was used in Viet Nam to defoliate trees and to remove enemy cover. The chemical, a reddish-brow- n liquid shipped in orange-stripebarrells (thus, its name), has been found to contain traces of the toxic chemical, dioxin. Dioxin is now thought to be the cause of cancer and birth defects in lab animals, and this research is the focus of numerous federal, state, and private studies. d Under a law approved on Nov. 3, 1981, the Vete- rans Administration can treat eligible veterans for certain disabilities which were caused from exposure to Agent Orange. Any veteran who feels he was exposed to the chemical and who would like to receive an Agent Orange examination should contact the nearest VA medical center or outpatient clinic for an appointment More information and copies of Agent Orange Review newsletters are available through Westminsters veterans affairs office, Room 100, Shaw Center. |