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Show Westminster College of Salt Lake City Tuesday, October 5, 1993 Volume XXXVI Issue 3 Westminster Pays Respects To Dean Of Students Kimberly Pfaff & Liz Peterson Forum Staff Writers Gary D. Fitzer Filled the position of Dean of Students from 1985 to 1993. Vacant Vice Presidential Slot Filled In Special Election David Neisler Forum Staff Writer J.C. Porter officially replaced resigned ASWC Vice President Beth Ann Muraski on Thursday, Sept. 23, after no other candidates entered the race to fill the position. Porter, a sophomore in psychology, has been performing the vice presidential duties since Muraski resigned last spring. Because the ASWC Constitution requires that the position be filled by an elected officer, a special election was to be held in October. However, when nobody emerged to run against Porter, the election was canceled. Porter said, As student body vice president, I am highly motivated by Presi-de- nt Rechs strong leadership, the senates enthusiastic support and the refined skills Student Activities Commission (SAC) chairpersons have offered during my initial months in office, I will strive to meet their expectations. Porter separated ASWCs mission on campus this year into three broad goals: ethnic diversity on campus, healthy lifestyles for students, and finding better ways to use natural resources. Porter said, These are things we feel are important, and through our activities we will promote them. ASWC, in conjunction with the Student Life Office, has assembled a committee that will organize and bring forth activities and events in which students may be exposed to the positive messages in these areas. This year SACs budget has beencut somewhat, but Porter said that this will not diminish the quality of the events. He said, My No. 1 priority this year is the quality of events, not the quantity of them. Im seeking to please those present at events rather than attract a large crowd. Porter also mentioned greater efficiency as a way to dissuade any possible negative effects of the budget cut. ASWC recently passed legislation that changes See Vice President on Page 5 Gary D. Fitzer, former Westminster Dean of Students, passed away at approximately 3 a.m. on Sept. 28 from complications due to cancer. He was 36 years old. Fitzer was diagnosed with cancer in early spring 93. His condition worsened throughout the summer. A Minnesota native, he came to Westminster to fill the position of Dean of Students in 1985. He was much younger than previous deans, which helped him to establish a special rapport with the students. One of his responsibilities was to serve as advisor to ASWC. He worked closely with the ASWC executive officers. John Rech, current ASWC president, worked in the Student Services office with Fitzer for a year and a half. Rech said, He encouraged me to run for ASWC president. I was pretty skeptical when I thought about it; I was pretty clueless. He helped us get on our feet. Rech said Fitzer wanted the best for everyone and would support them no matter what they wanted to do. Former ASWC Treasurer and 1992 Westminster graduate Laura Kennedy said, He was definitely a students advocate. Everything he did was because he wanted students to learn and grow and have opportunities. She said that even though he got a lot of flack for it, Fitzer fought for students to be on committees. Fitzer was responsible for hiring Karen Hendry, administrative assistant to the dean of students, a week after he became dean. Hendry said that one of Fitzers favorite parts about his job was that he was able to interact with students. As the manager of the Student Services office, Fitzer also oversaw the Academic Support Services, Counseling, the Career Resource Center, Campus Life and the Chaplains office. Hendry said Fitzer and the staff members in these departments developed a close relationship over the years. He was not only the boss, she said, but also a friend, and his staff was proudest of him during times of real crisis. The staff remembers the fun they all had playing pranks on each other. Fitzer had a delightful sense of humor, said Hendry. Their eight years of history included several unusual birthday celebrations and the staffs longest running joke, which stemmed from Fitzers strong dislike for bagpipe music. The joke spread throughout Westminster offices to include Communications Coordinator Barbara Fricke, who gave Fitzer a Support your local pipe band bumper sticker he had on his car. Fitzer was of the Student Affairs of theBoard of Trustees and chairman of the Academic Appeals Committee and the Commencement Planning Committee. His professional activity also included membership in several national college personnel groups. Westminster programs propelled by Fitzer include the introduction of new alcohol and AIDS policies, consolidation of two residence halls into Cine facility, a student ambassador program, and peer advisor programs in the Academic Support and Career Resources Offices. Fitzer is survived by his wife, Sally, and daughters, Brynn, 9, and Tori, 5. ASWC and the Administrative Offices have set up an educational trust fund for the benefit of his daughters at the Sugar House First Security Bank. Donations can be made through the Executive Vice President and Treasurers Office. Church services were held at the Christ United Methodist Church on Thursday, Sept. 30. Academic Vice President Steve Baar delivered a speech in Fitzers honor. Final burial services will be this week in Fitzers childhood home at Luveme, Minn. Services for the Westminster community will be held Monday, Oct. 1 1 at 4:30 p.m. in Nunemaker Place. The Rev. Cheryl Moore will officiate. Kennedy spoke for all students who have been associated with Fitzer, saying, Fitzer was one who gently persuaded us to form opinions and find out who we were in college. Most of all, he was a friend. My last picture is of him jaunting down the hall laughing. an Sub-Committ- ee In This Issue Salt Lake. Page 7 The "Black On Black" pottery exhibit is opening in the Jewett Center on Oct. 2. Page 5 Sugarhouses own Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta is celebrating its first anniversary with the introduction of some local beer on tap. Page 8 How is the Clinton Health Care Plan going to affect students of Westminster? See their answers. Page 2 More than 700 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt are making a stop in |