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Show The Tfumderbird Thursday May 26, 1 983 Page 3 Senates slates extra session for budgeting by Kent Johnson A special session of the ASSUSC Senate has been set for May 31. Senators were to have completed work on next years budget yesterday, however they decided the extra session was necessary to complete the job. During Wenesdays session two bills were approved and four others were tabled. Also, the budgets for the ASSUSC Executive Council, Publications Council and Open Recreation Program were submitted. The budgets of the three entities are submitted for approval because each of them receive student fees. A funding proposal for the Intramural Program received Senate approval. Kirk Houle, the programs student director, had asked the Senate for $3,500. However, senators decreased that amount to $1,500. Sen. Scott Johnson proposed that $1,500 be approved now and then the Intramurals Program could submit for further funding during the next school year. Intramurals Director Tom Kingsford said, This is the biggest student participation program on campus. We feel that between 500 and 700 students take part in this activity program. We are trying to improve this program program by increasing activities next year by eight, and by trying to pay our officials more so that we have a higher quality of official. Senators approved a bill allocating $900 to the college vocal jazz ensemble Opus I. The funds will pay one third of the cost of new uniforms. Johnson recommended approval of the bill because, he said, the new organization has had a positive effect for the college, even though the group has been in existence for less than one year. Ron Aden, director of the ensemble, said the group is also requesting funds from SUSC President Gerald R. Sherratt to help pay for the outfits. The remainder will come from the organizations members. Senate President Jeff Maxwell suggested that senators make a thorough examination of the Open Recreation Programs budget to make sure were getting our moneys worth. Maxwell said it is possible that Open Recreation hours at the Physical Education Building are being cut short. He said Open Recreation hours are scheduled to run until 10 p.m. It has been closed earlier than that, he said. It needs to be looked into because we are funding them. Dave Taylor, director of student activities, said the Physical Education Building is probably being cleared early to avoid having to pay Open Recreation employees overtime. It takes time for people to use the showers, he said. "Its the same principle we have with our dances. We ask everyone to leave 20 minutes early so the building will be cleared by midnight. The Open Recreation Program has a proposed budget of $5,550, the Executive Council $36,075 and Publications Council $22,000 for student publications. During the special session, senators will again consider a line item funding proposal for the Thunderet-tes- . The group is asking that 25 cents per student per quarter be allocated to them from student fees. Senators have expressed concern that the proposal would put the organizations funding beyond Senate control. Sen. Craig Bickmore said the Senate is still seeking information about other funding the Thunderettes may receive. Three bills requesting allocations from the Senates current budget were tabled. More than $1,000 remains in the budget for Spring Quarter. The Club is asking for a $475 allocation to help fund an honors banquet for Indian students that was held last week. Inter-Trib- The Cedar City Music Arts Association is asking for an allocation to assist in funding its 1983-8season. The CCMAA had originally asked the Senate for $2,000. And the ASSUSC Executive Council has proposed that funds remaining in the Senates account at the end of the quarter be allocated to it for the purchase of a sound system, furniture and remodeling of offices. According to the proposal, With our own sound system, students costs for dances and other activities could be lowered and the profits could go back into the school. 4 aw,iiirixrnprw); Two national reports to bring tougher standards by Tamara Rumbaugh Recommendations have been 'made that colleges and universities should raise thier admissions standards to turn back the rising tide of mediocrity that is threatening the quality of the nations education. Two recent reports, one by the National Commission on Excellence in Education and the other by the College Board, have outlined courses recommended to be completed by high school students in preparation for continuing on in higher education. In a real sense, Utah, including this college, has already taken steps to do that which was recommended in these two studies, said Vice President for Academic Affairs Terry D. Alger. SUSC recommends high school students planning to continue their education after graduation to take four years of English, three years of mathematics, two years of science, two years of social science and four other courses to be selected from language arts, computer science, mathematics, foreign language or career goals. The panel of educators was appointed by Education Secretary Terrel H. Bell in August of 1981 to serve as the National Commission on Excellence in Education. David P. Gardner, president of the Uni verity of Utah, was appointed chairman of the commission. Their findings suggesting more stringent academic requirements for high school students, to some reflects a return to the more conservative standards of the 50s -- preparing to continue on to a higher institution of learning to take a minimum of four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of science, 'three years of social studies, at least two years of a foriegn language and half a year of computer science. The College Board also recommends these subjects to be undertaken with the inclusion that students have an understanding and appreciation of the visual, fine, and performing arts. Both reports firmly emphasize the need for more of a core curriculum at the high school level, said Alger. The reports differ on that the Presidential Commission will allow for visual and performing arts as well as other Its essential that the education pendulum swings back to more responsibility. ' and 60s. The report drawn up by the College Board has made similar conclusions. The College Board is made up of an association of 2,500 schools, colleges and other groups that sponsor the Schoastic Aptitude Test which is used by many colleges as an entrance exam. The National Commission on Excellence in Education suggests a core curriculum for high school students courses to be taken as elective courses in the high school years. The College Board, in contrast, would include courses in the visual arts, theatre, music and dance to be part of the core curriculum. I think both reports would require high school students to take a more specific program while in grades nine-1- 2 as well as higher education. Alger explained that during the late 60s and into the 70s there was a broadening to more general courses for high school students to choose from and an allowance for more by students in choosing their classes. In choosing their own classes, many students spent less time on the basics which the SATs were founded upon. Thus when SAT scores began dropping, this partially relfected the change in curriculum rather than the students intellect. "Tie SAT had not been ad justed with the changes that had taken place. The allowance for students to be much more selfdirecting in a sense was an abeyance of responsibility, said Alger, but now public education is returning to take more responsibility in assisting students in choosing their courses in order to maximize their educational experience. I do believe that there are certain subjects which will better prepare students for living in a world under which we are going through a communicational and technological evolution, said Alger. I think it is essential that the education pendulum should swing back to where educational leaders are taking more responsibility in assisting students in designing their education program. In working closely with the school boards in the surrounding area concerning these recommendations, Alger said that he feels very good about the cooperation that has been extended. Already published are details about the changes that will be implemented in the Iron County School District during the next year. Alger said that the changes that will be made by the district are in line with those in the two national studies. The college is prepared to work with school districts and students to do whatever we can in helping them prepare for lift, said Alger. He also said that not everyone will be happy with the reports recommenda- tions as some will view them as a conservative swing which will limit high school students freedom to be in choosing their classes. On commenting on the SAT scores of students applying to SUSC Alger said that in the natural sciences the scores are average or even higher than the norm as they are in English as well. The weakest area indicated by the test is in mathematics. Although the SAT is not a requirement for admission at SUSC, it will be so in the future said Alger. |