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Show THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1983 VOL. 93 NO. 1 Peterson: jump or fly, we're at crossroads by Steve Green Chronicle staff The University is in a "middle stage" of development and can either lapse into mediocrity or jump into the front ranks of American higher education, Dr. Chase Peterson, University president elect in a Chronicle interview Monday. "The University is in the national spotlight," Peterson said, referring to the exposure it received from the artificial heart project, President David P. Gardner's chairmanship of the National Commission on Excellence in Education and Gardner's prestigious appointment to the presidency of the University of California system. Peterson said he is confident Utah's "pioneer spirit" of getting things done will lead the University to greatness. RELA TED STORY PA GE3 "But we must begin by convincing the people of Utah the virtues of free mindsin an open society. I will engage the faculty in defining our mission in this society, to determine what we have that society needs. The University, after all, serves only at the pleasure of society," Peterson said. He said the Utah Legislature often is unfairly criticized for not adequately funding higher education. "Utah is a leader in dollars per wage earner for education. Our problem is we have large families with low median incomes," he said. Peterson said his selection as president by the State Board of Regents followed a thorough screening process by a faculty committee that recommended 10 highly qualified candidates. "The Regents narrowed that choice to three, and at that point they could have flipped a coin. It was a good process that became complicated in the end as personal, cultural and political issues came into play," he said. Peterson said he accepted the presidency as commitment." At 53, he "a definite long-ter13 years. in about retire to expects Peterson spoke fondly of his years at Harvard, where he was an outsider in a world of . "Bostonians." "I want outsiders to this culture to have a productive experience in Utah. In New England I was not excluded but enriched. It and taught me about myself. Mormons from outside of Utah should have the same experience here," Peterson said. Peterson is in the process of evaluating the functions of President Gardner's administrative staff in preparation for his taking over the office Non-Mormo- ns Aug. 1. "I will develop a system where everything important to the University is funneled through my staff. I neea people with enormous loyalty not to myself, but to the University. I will place a great amount of trust in my staff to handle things I don't need to be personally involved in and to forward to me those matters I must make decisions on," Peterson said. Joseph Bentley, a professor of management, is evaluating the current administrative system and will consult Peterson on new appointments. The transition is likely to take a year he said. Peterson said student government and media at the University are essential for students to have a voice in policy decisions and can play a significant role in influencing his commitment to providing a University atmosphere where different cultures can leartflorfr each natherr "The purpose of educayon is to break down existing knowledge into unjts that can be dealt with. Students and their organizations are an important part of this educational process," Peterson said. " meeting June 14. U Villagers could sue; University Village residents, dissatisfied with the Student Family Housing administration, have hired a lawyer to represent them in claims against the administration and Joe Rei, director of Student Family Housing, has announced his plans to leave the University in July to accept a position at Washington State University. Recent rent increases, among other things, have brought claims to mismanagement from many residents. About 150 residents attended a rally Saturday morning to discuss possible legal action against the University administration and to voice displeasure over Student Family Housing policies and procedures. John Spencer Snow, a local attorney, has agreed to serve as legal counsel for the residents and addressed the gathering briefly. Snow said Village residents have some substantial claims but stressed the need for more facts. "I want to fs iff make sure you have the facts to make these claims," Snow said. He said a fact finding committe must be set up first. Snow said he sees eight legal theories to ' V ? Jf Utah State Board of Regents Chairman Kem Gardner, left, announces Dr. Chase Peterson, vice president for health sciences, will replace David Gardner as president of the University. Regent Gardner said the search was exhausting, involving 285 potential candidates and two separate search committees. Peterson, a former Harvard administrator, is a Logan native. The announcement was made at a Board of Regents by Mark Saal Chronicle staff ft! Jill 4 housing director quits a I Ci m i )fa Gardner gives last address Outgoing University President David Gardner delivers his final commencement I address June 11 in the Special Events Center. "Whatever else you have learned, hope you have learned to love life, liberty and the pursuit of excellence," Gardner told the 4,324 graduates. i protect the interests of the residents, but declined to discuss them. He said discussing legal theories before the case is heard is bad tactics. The opponents should learn of the claims against them at the last possible moment. Roy Graybill, chairman of the Village general assembly, said residents need to organize themselves. "We don't have meaningful input into things that affect our daily lives." Graybill said he has been told that he is a troublemaker and that he should "shut up and move out." Residents need to be unified to deal with the administration, according to Graybill. resident and law student at the Ostler, agreed with Graybill. University, The administration increases the rent at its whim, and now many people can no longer afford to stay in the Village, Ostler said. While the facts are being gathered, Ostler urged residents to write "letters of disgust" to the media and to Gene Blackwclder, the Auxiliary Services director. Craig Recce, another resident and University law student, also spoke at the rally. He discussed recent developments in his lawsuit against the Univcisity and the Board of Regents. Reece is questioning the financing of the new maintenance building under construction at the Village. He claims the building is illegally financed through the bond account for the Village. Student Family Housing can't use revenues from rent to pay for new buildings, according to Reece. "They just wholesale subverted state law." Reece is seeking a partial summary judgement on the question of the maintenance building. Reece is also fighting the process of setting rent at the Village. The University has controlled this entire process, yet Villagers have the right to be involved in this process, he said. Reece also claims there has been an illegal transfer of funds from the Village to the University. Rent is pledged to a number of buildings many on the same bond and there is a real possibility that we're subsidizing other campus buildings." Residents are paying extra to help run the University, charged Reece. Residents pay student fees and also support the campus through rent, he said. After four years as director of Student Family Housing at the University, Rei announced he continued on page three A Village Blake us Org. U.S. Postage Paid Non-Prof- it Permit No. 1529 Salt Lake City, UT |