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Show THE THUNDERBIRD SUSC MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1990 PAGE 3 Deans discuss ESL program BY KATHLEEN M IDG LEY During its meeting Sept. 24, the Deans Council discussed the possibility of adding an English as a Second Language program to SUSC curriculum and a revision of the incomplete grade policy. An ESL program could bring educational value to SUSC because of the different cultures involved. The basic educational reason for looking at this is because of the enrichment it would bring to the campus, said Provost Terry D. Alger. Phillip C. Carter, dean of continuing education, suggested the initial courses be geared for students from Japan and Taiwan, then letting the program expand from there. It would take three to four years for the program to really get going, said Carter, because it takes a while to recruit and attract people toward new programs. Alger said, ESL is for students who have completed high school, sometimes college, working toward a masters degree and would like a proficiency in English to do so. Dean Rodney Decker said the language and literature department is willing to administer the program, but the faculty does not want to have to teach the courses along with their current loads. Alger said there would definitely be other faculty to teach the ESL classes. Decker also noted the need for an upfront budget for the program to work with. These needs would be looked into before the program starts, he said. The question arose, though, Is Cedar City ready for 100 to 300 Eastern Rim students? Decker said there is not a problem, Provided its not displacing students from housing. The program would begin in the summer months, thus leaving housing and enrollment openings for other SU students in the fall. Deans plan to investigate ESL possibilities further before deciding to implement it here. Deans also discussed revision of the incomplete grades policy. Incompletes (grades) have been misused and were starting to clean it up, said D. Mark Barton, director of admissions and records. Previously the question arose concerning the time available to make up the incomplete when the class was offered again or within one year. The policy Speakes reviews BY CHERIS TUCKER You are destined to live in the age of television, said Larry Speakes, opening speaker for the fall Convocation series. Speakes discussed the importance of media, especially television, in politics, during his lecture Thursday. Speakes stressed the importance of television in presidential elections. If candidates dont master TV, they wont survive, he said. It is your responsibility as a young person to decide if our leaders are chosen on the basis of who makes good TV, or who would lead our nation better. Speakes also expressed a concern over the low numbers of voters. In the last presidential election less than 50 percent of the population voted, and in a recent senatorial election in Georgia 80 percent didnt vote. A During Mondays Deans' Council, Dean of Continuing Education Phillip C. Carter discussed the possibility of adding an English as a Second Language program to SUSC. The initial courses would be tailored for Japanese students. now states that it must be made up within one year or in the time agreed in the contract signed by both the course instructor and the student. Three copies of the contract will be made, with one given to the student, one to the department and one to the Registrar. Upon completion of make-u- p requirements, the changed grade is given to the Registrar. Deans reviewed the latest fall enrollment figures and the impact the numbers are having on housing. The enrollment head count, about 350 more than this week last fall, means housing may be scarce for some students. Included in that count are 750 freshmen, more than there have been at SU before, said Barton. My concern is where all these people are going to sleep, said Alger. Married students seem to be having the most difficult time, said Dean James Miller. There are beds available, said Alger, but they are for singles. Village Inn opening up has made an impact in offering more housing for students. Although there is still space available in the dormitories, Students wont stay on campus unless theyre freshman, said Alger. TVs role ASSUSC plans ride hotline senator from Oklahoma said that people dont feel their vote counts, and we need to change that. Speakes also quoted from a Los Angeles Times survey, Age of Indifference, which claimed the under 30 generation knows less, cares less, reads news less... Speakes was concerned because this means we are an easy target for those seeking to manipulate us. He contrasted the difference between democracy in eastern Europe and in the United States. In Berlin and Beijing, thousands of people attend political rallies. Here in the U.S. three people watch a political commercial on TV in a darkened living room, he said. Emphasizing the necessity of becoming involved in political issues, Speakes said, Government is what we make it, it is our responsibility to make it good. izu zzz r BY DEANNA HYMAS In effort to prevent alcohol-relate- d driving fatalities, members of the ASSUSC government are working to set up a ride hotline for students. The idea of having the hotline came after a car accident involving an SUSC student spring quarter of last year, said ASSUSC President Julie Stuart. Tim Metcalf, a native of San Dimas, Calif., was killed in the accident. Alcohol was found in the vehicle, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. Troy Meeks and Holly Clapham are credited with the initial formation of the hotline. The plan was to create a program that would encourage students to call for a ride instead of driving drunk, said Stuart. The hotline was tentatively set up to run through the emergency room in the Valley View Medical Center until legal ramifications changed the plans. The hospital didnt want the possiblity of someone calling at 3 a.m., needing a ride interfering with them getting to a person bleeding to death, said Stuart. Stuart is looking for businesses that are open 24 hours, such as convenience stores and motels to step forward and help keep the program working. And, said Stuart, showing that a business is concerned about drunk driving and its effect on the community would aid the business image as well. The only cost of the program will be the cost of phones, said Stuart. Mountain Bell is allowing us to use the e number for free and all other services will be provided by volunteers. The ride hotline calls for members of ASSUSC student government and the Greek societies to take turns staying home weekends to pick up the students that are in need of a ride. Volunteers may also be needed to answer the calls at the hotline and transfer them to the designated students home, said Stuart. 865-rid- Stuart expects the hotline to be set up in time for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Week, slated for Oct. 15. |