Michigan State University - Red Cedar Log Yearbook (East Lansing, MI)

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“och aio patoncees nF i ge RR MRIE Story and Photography by Neal Haldane.

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a drastic change necessary in the sys- tem. “We are facing a need for restructur- ing.’’ she insisted. ‘Colleges need to train teachers to use the media in the classroom.’ She believed that the educational system had failed at a high school level. Stewart thought that this problem would have to be faced or universities would go out of business. “It’s ironic that with all the technology we have that we aren’t more ad- vanced in education,” she said. Stewart saw her role at MSU as inter- preting what was going on there in a positive way to the public and those working within the institution. Her role in- volved continually assessing education at MSU and forming a positive back- ground for progress, Stewart said that this involved working closely with Infor- mation Services to apply creative think- ing in handling negative situations in- stead of just reacting to them. A crucial aspect of her job was main- taing federal relations. She had many opportunities to use her valuable exper- ience in Washington to follow legislation affecting the university. She emphasized that all university per- sonel should work together, tying to- gether contacts and assisting each oth- er. “We must let people know what the philosophy of the institution is. There are a lot of good reasons for sharing efforts. Moses Turner, vice president of stu- dent affairs and services, came to MSU from Texas Tech University in November of 1979. He was formerly the director of student life at Texas Tech under Cecil Mackey. Turner’s job involved the administra- tion of the health service, counseling service, residence hall programs,. intra- mural sports, financial aid and student organizations. One of Turner’s main objectives was to see that students adjusted well to the university environment. “If students don’t adjust well, they aren't going to do well academically,”’ Turner said. He directed the student affairs per- sonel in creating a support system for students to fill the void between the academic and personal aspects of uni- versity life. “Counseling is a very important part of what we need to provide,” he said. Turner felt that the goal of his depart- ment was to provide the total concept of living in a university, taking into ac- count the many different kinds of lifes- tyles taking place on and off campus. “Our area is to provide the basic and necessary services for that experience to happen,” Turner said. Turner saw the health facilities at MSU as serving an educational purpose. “The health services do two things: they take care of the obvious needs for a health care professional in providing care and also provide educational ex- periences as well that will not only be good for here, but for when students leave here as well,” he said. Another primary concern of Turner’s was campus safety. He wished to deal with the safety problem that existed o campus while not creating unnecessary fears. “We participated in a survey recently that showed that there are relatively few reported incidences that warrant fear but that is not congruent with the humber of people who report a feeling of fear,’’ Turner said. To deal with campus safety needs, Turner developed a university safety committee. In addition, he said that MSU will be setting up a rape crisis line and coordinating an educational program about sexual assault and continuing the women’s self-defence classes. When asked about his goals, Turner said, ‘| think that we have an excellent opportunity to broadedn what is here and to have an effective division that meets students’ service needs.”’ Val Cocking 27

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CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES Stained glass, flower arranging and dance aerobics were not part of a stu- dent’s normal curriculum. But for many East Lansing residents and other MSU students, those classes were part of their curriculum through the East Lansing Arts Workshop. “The workshop was an informal place where art could be taught and en- joyed,” acting director Eleanor Melcer said. ‘A group of artists and community leaders thought it would be nice to have an alternative education place for the city. A place where artists could come and meet and teach.” The East Lansing School Board was approached in 1972 and agreed to let the workshop use the lower floor of the old Marble School, on the corner of Bur- cham and Hagadorn. The first session only drew about 50 people, but in 1979, the school had over 500 adults enrolled and around 350 chil- dren per term. “It has taken a long time and a lot of struggle to get where we are,’’ Melcer remarked. From the four or five classes offered in 1972, the selection rose to over 70 classes, ranging f rom disco dancing to paper making. “We can tell by the growth in enroll- ment that people have become inter- ested in taking art classes,’’ Melcer said. “The classes are generally kept small so people can get more help.” The students were not graded and the most important reason for the school was to have people relax. “‘It is mostly for relaxation,’’ Melcer observed, “It is something people can take and not have to worry about grades. They come to learn a hobby and to meet people.”’ To help pay for the classes and teach- ers, the workshop charged students a small fee. A jazz class which ran for eight weeks cost $20 while a ten week pot- tery class cost $59. “We have always had a commitment to keep our courses low in price,’ Melcer said. Tuitions made up the bulk of the $150,000 annual budget, but the work- shop also received money from the city, state, and federal government. Talent shows and art sales were also held to raise money. The class instructors came from MSU and the surrounding area, coming to the workshop to offer their services. If the teachers demanded too much money, the workshop would turn them down, but usually the teachers kept their fees low. The classes that were taught reflect- ed the skills and interests of the teach- ers. “If we had enough teachers we could teach calligraphy (The art of beautiful handwriting) and aerobic dancing alll day,’’ declared Melcer. ‘‘The classes of- fered depend on the services offered plus ideas from the community. If there are enough people interested, we usu- ally try to find someone to teach it.” One teacher, Kathy Mikelsavage from Williamston, was persuaded to teach. “| came to the workshop and they found out | could teach calligraphy,’ Mikelsa- vage said. “There has been a real re- birth of interest in the art.” Steve Stauff, a Michigan State stu- dent majoring in Agricultural Economics, said the class offered him a chance to forget school. “It gives me a change from academ- ics,’’ Stauff said. ‘‘Plus, it is cheaper than on campus.’ The classes attracted a varying clien- tele. Housewives, students and even a dentist and an attorney were enrolled in the workshop. “| love flowers so that is why | took flower arranging,’” commented Brenda Turner, an attorney in the Attorney Gen- eral’s office. “It gives me something to do with my hands as oppossed to the more mental things | do during the day.” The feeling of doing something differ- ent was another reason behind the suc- cess of the school. Melcer said ‘‘The stu- dents get a good feeling when they have tried something which extends themselves. They find a new part of themselves and they enjoy it.” With the growth in enrollment and in- terest, Melcer said she saw better times ahead for the workshop. “| look at the past and | would sa) things are going to get better,’ she said. “We are getting stronger financial- ly and that allows you to offer more ad- vanced classes. Plus, the success looks good to grant givers in the government. We are not going to go backwards.”’ In the future Melcer hoped for more participation from MSU students and East Lansing residents.