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Show ? Volume XXXVII, Issue XIV Class Changes Create Confusion by Bill Tatomer . which gives students more class time in was regular semesters. To rectify the problem of short semesters, Westminster administration, after lengthy discussions with the deans and faculty, decided that the regular fifty minute class period be extended to 55 minutes. Over the course of a semester, this amounts to 15 minutes more instruction per week for an average three hour course. Dr. Charles Tripp, associate professor, political sciencepsychology, said that there are several faculty members who are under the impression that Westminster has gone to a 15 week term plus one week of finals. Westminster faculty members, who wished to remain nameless, said that the confusion of an additional week thought to be added to the 55 minuet increase, caused a feeling of apprehension between faculty members and the administration. Phillips said that there are exactly seventy days in the present semester, plus one week for finals. Seventy days equals weeks, excluding fourteen, five-da- y necessary because Westminster is on a semester system. Four month semesters are not compatible with the normal collegiate semester method of computing class attendance time and May Term is a concept unique to most academic schedules. Several years ago, the past academic Dr. Michael Gershowitz, reported that the Northwest Accrediting Association suggested that Westminster College, which was on a 14 week plus one finals week schedule, was not giving students sufficient class time for their full semester hours of credit. May Term is one month in length and since many schools dont have special sessions such as May Term, their semesters are a little longer, 4-4- -1 The 55 minute class session is new to Westminster College this year and the change has created confusion between j the adjustment vice-preside- Forum staff writer I f Westminster College of Salt Lake City Tuesday, January 30, 1990 membersofthefacultyand thie Westminster administration. For every credit hour, the student has to spend 750 minutes in class," said Sheryl Phillips, Westminsters dean of records and assistant to the president, and that is the reason that we had to extend our class periods to 55 minutes. Westminster students were not spending enough hours in class, as defined by the North West Accreditation Association. According to Stephen Baar, academic vice-preside- nt holidays. f 1 I Phillips said that the problem first arose in 1981, and there was confusion in the way it was handled. She also said that it is this particular type of issue that frequently doesnt get addressed because the need to discuss the issues is not readily apparent. Dr. Stephen Baar, academic vice president is also the liason officer between Westminster College and the North West Accreditation Association. Each college or university has an accreditation liaison officer who is the designated link between the college and the accrediting organization, said Baar, at Westminster, Im it. Baar said, if a faculty member needs information on regional accreditation standards, he or she shoul d contact me. If some faculty members are teaching on a fifteen rather than a fourteen week semester, they should also come see me. August Commencement in its Fourth Year at Westminster by Kim Blodgett Forum staff writer Over the past three years, the Westminster commencement has adopted the summer Degree Awarding Ceremony which has proved to be more efficient and convenient for students and faculty alike. The summer ceremony was developed students in mind. with Graduates with a few credit hours remaining at the time of June graduation, now have the opportunity to receive their diploma two months later. The atmosphere, though less formal, maintains the pageantry of the Westminster commencement with a personalized touch. In 1983, students were allowed to graduate in the June procession even if they had a few required credit hours remaining. This process relied on each student to faithfully complete their requirements during the following summer. non-tradition- al We tried letting students go through the ceremony without actually graduating, said Sheryl Phillips, dean of records, but too many problems resulted. The problems included graduates disregarding remaining requirements, skipping classes, or finding immediate non-tradition- employment. al In 1986, plans changed and the summer ceremony was introduced to alleviate the problem of hanging hours. At first there was a debate over having a summer or December graduation, said Gary Fitzer, dean of students. However, a student poll revealed the majority of students in favor of summer. Now, students must complete all requirements listed in the academic catalog in order to graduate. Its hard to tell a student: No, you cant graduate, said she but feels the Phillips, present system is more efficient and fair to both students and Tuition Will Increase by Fall Semester by Bill Kilpack Forum staff writer Tuition will be raised in Fall Semester of 1990, due to the continual inflation of college costs in the nation. If youre going to run a quality institution, you have to keep pace with the costs," said Craig Green, vice president for enrollment management. The exact amount of the tuition hike is not yet decided, and will not be released for a couple months, when the college budget is finalized, according to Paula Garfiel d, assistant to Steve Morgan, executive vice president. In the United States, there are roughly 1500 colleges similar to Westminster in size of faculty and number of students attending, according to Green. Were still in the bottom quarter as far as what we charge annually, others are well over $7000, Green said. Were trying to improve the education quality and scholarship programs to keep pace with the increase, said Green. As costs go up, were sensitive to the fact that we have to improve student services and financial aid. In the past, scholarship and financial ai d opportuni ti es have rise n more quickly than the tuition increases, according to Green. Ithas been proposed that scholarships be either increased in amount or numbers available to students, he said, I would expect tuition to rise every year, Green said. The college has to deal with inflation just like anyone else. Its a very expensive operation. The proposal for the tuition increase, according to Green, was the result of an evaluation performed by Morgan, who looked at Westminsters financial situation and that of other colleges in the area. He then made a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. faculty advisors: Students must apply for graduation two semesters in advance and submit a $30 fee with their application. Information concerning actual semester hours and graduate requirements can be obtained from the Registrars Office in Bamberger Hall. With increased enrollment, Westminster expects a larger graduating class for 1990 than previous years. Last year, 257 students graduated in the June commencement, and 42 in the summer. This year, the school anticipates approximately 275 graduates in June, and about 50 participants in the summer ceremony. Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 2 at 9 a.m. in Dane Hansen Stadium. The reception will be held afterwards in the Plaza. On Friday, Aug. 10, the summer procession and reception will be held in the Plaza. Table of Contents in Malouf ........Page 2 Career Corner.................... Page 2 Admission Refusals ...........Page 4 Campus Crime Page 5 Dorm Food Refund s Page 5 .Roger & MeReview Page 6 & Stanley Iris Review ...Page 6 Opera Auditions Page 7 Classified Ads ..................... Page 8 New Movie Releases ..........Page 8 Roof Leaks ' i |