Mansfield University - Carontawan Yearbook (Mansfield, PA)

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At this time, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all of the 1987 gradautes of MU and wish them good luck in the future. I am sure they will do fine in whatever they attempt in life. The same applies to MU. Our university has survived through the years and will survive in the future. I feel confident you are aware of our university ' s history but not aware of the plans for its future. I believe MU ' s future looks bright as a result of President Kelchner and the State System of Higher Education ' s efforts to improve ML) and all of the state universities. Both Kelchner and SSHE came onto the scene in 1983. They seem to have given MU and PA ' s universities some direction, which appeared to be lacking under previous administra- tions. I believe the success they have achieved is a result of their emphasis on planning, review and evaluation. Although many at our university believe there are too many committees and meetings, President Kelchner has received quite a few ideas for improvement of MU from the diverse groups which comprise our university. Here are some of the ideas he has received: - Renovate North Hall in order to consolidate all 3 libraries and provide some much needed office space - Convert the Main Library into a student union - An outdoor student mall located between South Hall and Manser which is designed to be a gathering place for students. This could be completed by the time you receive this book. This mall is intended to be part of a complex which includes an outdoor student mall, a student union, a library and a dining hall, all at the center of campus. - Improvement of other physical facilities of MU such as Belknap, campus roads, sidewalks, roofs, etc. - Enrollment management, which essentially means accepting only those students who have a reasonable chance of success in college and providing those students with proper and adequate advisement, placement and other services to help that student succeed - Program review and evaluation in order to ensure students receive the best education for their money. This is to make sure the program is relevant, meeting the needs of students and has properly trained or knowledgeable professors. Program reviews would include course offerings, course context, staffing, examination of library holdings and other institutional resources. Concerning the last category, there has been a call for an increase in number and quality of instructional equipment. Despite my confidence in MU, I am not as confident in the future of th e CARONTAWAN, the yearbook of MU. It also has sur- vived but its future is in doubt. Since the year we changed to Jostens as our publishing company, we have never delivered a yearbook on time. During this time, the number of staff members has decreased and the number of yearbook sales has fallen dramatically. In the fall of 1985, the CARONTAWAN almost went out of existence, but it was saved by a very small number of concerned students. Despite the efforts of that small group, the 1986 yearbook still was not completed by the end of the spring semester of 1986. Summer break and the shuffling of offices prevented the book from being completed over the summer. In the fall, that small group was no longer around to help with the book, but another small group came to the rescue. By year ' s end, the 1986 yearbook was finished and sent to Jostens. In the spring semester of 1987, the small group started work on the 1987 book. Poor planning and organization, missed events and the loss of staff members have caused some problems in completing the 1987 yearbook. The 1988 yearbook, the 70th anniversary of the CARONTAWAN, is already in trouble because of a lack of staff members. As of this writing, there will be five staff members and two of those five will gradu- ate in December. Obviously, an adequate yearbook cannot be produced if less than 0.5% of the student population at MU participates. As problematic as the yearbook has become, the point has been reached again where a decision must be made about the future of the CARONTAWAN. In my opinion, if there is as little interest as there appears to be, it may be wise to just stop publication of the yearbook. Personally, I would like to see the yearbook saved. To change speeds a little, I would like to apologize for the incompleteness of some of the sections and hope you would be un- derstanding. At this time, I would like to graciously thank my staff members and congratulate them on a job will done for com- pleting two yearbooks in less than two semesters. I believe this is a miraculous feat!!! I would also like to thank Larry McCullen, our Jostens representative, for helping us find out the status of the 1986 book and helping us complete both books. I must not forget the extra time given by Mr. Maresco, our advisor, to help solve our problems, which were many. There are many others I would like to thank but will not do so here. However, I really must recognize the help we received from the Public Relations De- partment and also Guy McMullen from the Alumni Office. To those who were not mentioned, you are not forgotten. AGAIN TO ALL O F THE 1987 GRADUATES: CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!!!

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FROM THE STAFF . . . The beginnings of formal education may be found in the teachings of Socrates from Ancient Greece. The University of Ath- ens may well have been the model for things to come. A stately institution which valued the well-rounded education of its citizens as most important became the founding promise on which higher education would be built. Though different in scope and degree, the Greek University has stood as an example to the modern University. Four years ago Mansfield State College was renamed Mansfield University. Many of the 1987 graduates were members of the first class accepted to Mansfield University. Now, four years later, the university bids them farewell and safe journey. Their time at Mansfield has seen sweeping changes. Along with a ch ange in title, Mansfield found new leadership from Inter- im President Rod Kelchner. In the coming years offices were moved, programs changed, and most importantly students, the heart of the school, came and went. After more than a year of deliberation, the general education requirements were updated to meet the needs of a changing university. And recently a nursing program has been added. The school was stirred up by an NCATE evaluation and the students cheered as the basketball team headed to glory. And now, the academic policies have been rigorously reviewed and revised in the administration ' s White Papers — An Agenda for the Nineties. Finally, word has come that North Hall will again be a functional part of the University. As the symbol for the 1987 yearbook, the staff has chosen the sundial. First, it is a piece of history right out of Ancient Greece and the Greek Universities, symbolizing the wisdom of the early educators. Moreover, it marks the passage of time. As time has passed, Mansfield has flowed with the changes. Often Mansfield has been at the forefront of the academic community. And so, Mansfield looks ahead to a promising future.