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Show JtunsHi i rr THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY JANUARY 5, 1987 PACE 7 Plant Ops and Gordon Slack: they're keeping us warm BY LYNN HOLT one of the most on the SUSC buildings important campus has the lowest profile. The Plant Operations Building (the one with the smokestacks just north of the Technology Building) provides the constant maintenance without which campus life would be unbearable. In addition to heating and air conditioning systems, plant operations is in charge of building maintenance, construction, remodeling, and security. All of this takes place under the close and careful supervision of Director of Plant Operations Cordon Slack, who has been with the campus for the last 27 years. Slack joined SUSC in 1959 as assistant to the treasurer. His positions since then have included purchasing agent and business mangager. He took over plant operations in 1981. Slack holos a bachelor's degree, but says his years of experience are of greater value for his current responsibilities. Slack explained that he and his staff are simply in the business of making campus life a pleasant experience for students and faculty. "That's what Plant Operations exists for," he said. "If we can't do that, we're not doing our job." In addition to his staff of 36, Slack employs approximately 75 students on basis to ensure that the a part-tim- e operation runs smoothly. Plant Operations is no more immune from legislative budget cuts than any other program, said Slack, adding that cuts will result in the termination of It's ironic that e three employees and a loss of 40 percent of the school's remodeling and campus development funds. Slack anticipates no noticeable change in the appearance and upkeep of the campus, however. "We'll just work a little harder, "he said. The legislative ax did spare the campus heating system, which consists d of three boilers as well as a coal-fire- d boiler that is newly on line this year. The new boiler is "state of the art as far as coal fire goes," said Slack. "You'll not see any plumes of full-tim- smoke." In the mild summer and fall months the campus is heated with smaller, propane fired boilers. These have been in operation since the beginning of fall term. Slack said operation of these smaller boilers in the four months they are adequate saves $75,000 in fuel costs. A disadvantage to the propane heaters is that they may not supply all the hot water necessary tor the dorms, as many chilled students have noticed recently. Slack acknowledges this problem but says that once the weather gets cold enough the main heating systems will be fired up. Z ' ' ' ' ' "When we're fully operational with our heating system, there'll be no problem," he said. High fuel costs keep Slack constantly looking for the most efficient heating system for the college. With both coal and oil boilers. Slack has the option of choosing either of these fuel sources, depending on which is most economical at any given time. All funds for campus heating come in the form of government allotments to the college. In consideration of progressive energy sources for the college, Slack says "the use of solar energy is still in the experimental stages at SUSC." The d Business Building is heated entirely from solar power in mild weather. In the cold winter months, however, solar heat will only account for 30 percent of the building's total heat lequirements. Slack also said constant temperatures are hard to maintain. Students on the south side may be warm while students on the north side may be uncomfortably cold. "We're monitoring that building all the time for energy conservation data," he said. Plant Operations is also in charge of maintaining and heating the Cedar City Resource and Development Center, located at the middle interchange in Cedar City. The college-owne-d building which is rented out to various government agencies is just breaking even financially, according to Slack. College officials have put the building up for sale, and funds from the sale will go into an endowment fund for the college, Slack said. solar-heate- f Plant Operations chief cordon Slack is responsible for the physicaliiy of SUSC. Ingenuity and contributions provide scholarship monies the absence of government funds for many programs in higher education, the fate of SUSC departmental scholarships rests safely in the hands of the private sector and each department's own ingenuity. Despite the reports of numerous education cutbacks, the number of departmental scholarships is actually increasing in many areas, due largely to the fact that departments rely little on the government for such funds. "We can't rely on the school for money because the school doesn't have it," said Scott Phillips of SUSC's drama department. Phillips said his department awards approximately 35 full and partial scholarships each year. The department itself raises 70 percent of the funds necessary for these scholarships. Phillips said he and others in the department realize that students need financial help to get through school. Therefore, assistantships are offered to returning students. In this unusual type of scholarship, Phillips said, students work for the drama department In Ag club strives to "Our main purpose is to make students and people in the community aware of the current procedures and technology in agriculture," said Cary Gowans, president of SUSC's ag club. The ag club is comprised of students enrolled in agriculture classes, and students from all departments on campus. The ag club sponsors many activities on campus. One of these was a bonfire at the beginning of the school year. Coming up, another activity on the ag club roster, will be Y.!J e:t Wee k ,;c! eduled or Apr I. in exchange for tuition money. Like other forms of scholarships, assistantships are given for a combination of academic achievement and contribution to the program. The department raises funds to support these programs through costume rentals, performance admission fees, and other special events throughout the year, Phillips said. While Phillips and others in the drama department take advantage of their "built in source to make money," other departments have ingenious programs of their own to supply scholarship funds. Industrial Education Professor Steve Taylor says his department is also independent of government funds for scholarships. In fact, Taylor said his department didn't award a single government-sponsore- d scholarship last year. Of the scholarships available to industrial ed students, Taylor said more than half come from outside sources such as private industry. The remaining funds come from the admissions department and a special sholarship fund Taylor and others in the department contribute to. "I think you need that commitment from faculty to really support students," he said, adding that the faculty's contribution is enough to constitute two scholarships. Taylor said he occasionally offers an increased number of schohrships in certain areas to add to the enrollment in that program, but maintains that "a student who performs is one who really deserves a scholarship," regardless of which program he is in. Lolene Adams of the business department also feels comfortable with her department's scholarship program. She realizes that "we just have a certain amount of money to give," but says that most continuing business students with a gpa of above 3.3 are awarded academic scholarships of some sort. The business department, like others on campus, relies heavily on scholarship funds from private businesses and individuals, Adams said. Fortunately, there are several people in the community who donate to the college year after year, she added. full-tuiti- create awareness Four new classes offered the campus weekly seminars, which involve the club and the community," said Gowans."We have a great deal of member involvement in everything we Visual Arts taught Tuesdays Classes dealing with art, 1 from children's to 2 in Business 106. books, geoscience, Education 292 Women and health and nutrition are being offered winter quarter by and Minorities in Children's the SUSC Women's Resource Books, starts Jan. 6 and will be held Wednesdays from 3 to 4 Committee. Foods and Nutrition 292 p.m. in Business 102. Geoscience: Geology 292 Nutrition, Health and Weight Career opportunities for Control, starts Jan. 5 and will continue Mondays from 3 to 4 Women, starts Jan. 8 and will continue Thursdays from 3 to p.m. in Science 120. 4 p.m. in Science 203. Art 292 Women in the "We are actively involved in do." With a membership of 60, the club has a tour to southern California on Jan. 7 to see agriculture production and processing plants. "Despite current cuts in agriculture, the ag club will continue to function and fulfill the students' and community's needs in the future," planned srd C.. war- - |