Ohio University - Athena Yearbook (Athens, OH)

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By John Micklos The 1 976-1 977 academic year was a time of transition in many ways for the Ohio University administration. The addition of the new College of Osteopathy, the dormitory rate changes, the new class schedule, and the move toward a more liberal base of student studies all represented an attempt to set the University on an even keel, both financially and academically. Neil Bucklew. the new provost, said, For me, it ' s been a year of get- ting oriented. He added with pleasure that he felt the institution was involved in a clear turn-around in its financial and academic problems. Bucklew was also pleased with the progress of the College of Osteopathy. He felt that it opened up A new vista for the university and provided a special outlet for the basic science programs. Bucklew believes that the removal of the pass fail option, plans for Left: Provost Neil Bucklew speaks to a government class in Bentley Hall. Below: Dean of Students Carol Harter speaks with reporter John Micklos. 28 Administration

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as integrated, interdependent and shared. Describing his job as demanding and satisfying, he said the problems and challenges of trying to go beyond what you can do is among life ' s most satisfying and rewarding activities. He concluded, It makes the job worthwhile. A year later Ping seemed satisfied with his job, his ac- complishments and the future of the university. His strong sense of calm pride pervaded his flowing, polished speech, leaving the impression that Dr. Charles Ping had every inten- tion of drawing the campus into a coherent whole. Left: Ping converses about O.U. students dur- ing the Spectrum GREEN interview. Below: Ping addresses faculty, administrators, alum- ni and students in September to report the state of the university. Below: Ping watches ceremonies during the 1976 commencement. Craig Holman University Publications Photography President Ping 27

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New faces, new strategy Harter, Bucklew find year a time of transition deleting ABC grading for freshmen and moves to require a more liberal base of studies for students are all good steps for the University. He felt that the move toward a more liberal course of studies is in line with the way the pendulum is swinging nationally. There is a re- affirmation of the role of the liberal education. Bucklew was instrumental in help- ing establish the new class schedule which has the University opening earlier, and then closing from just before Thanksgiving until after New Year ' s. He said that energy conser- vation was the main reason for the move. During February, a controversy arose over the appointment of Gerald Faverman as vice-provost for planning and development. Universi- ty President Charles Ping and Bucklew made the appointment without consulting the faculty, and members of the Faculty Senate resented being left out of the selec- tion process. Bucklew defended the decision saying, It was not the situation of a bad appointment. Dr. Faverman brings a special set of abilities to the office. Overall, Bucklew was pleased with the progress the University has made this year. Looking to the future, he would like to see a finan- cially stable budget with fewer reductions. I would hope that we have the good spirit to plan together openly, with diligence and without anxiety. Dean of Students Carol Harter is in charge of virtually all non- academic functions of the Universi- ty. Her duties include preparing budgets for the General Fund and the dormitory system. In all. she is responsible for budgeting over $14 million. Harter said the priority problem of her office is improving the quality of student life while also dealing with day to day fiscal management. The major new program this year was raising the dormitory rate and Provost Neil Bucklew discusses the freshman ABC grading system. changing the new board plans tor next year. While admitting that the dormitory changes (which include the curtailment of free linen and telephone service) would hurt many students, she pointed out that the new board plan was more flexible and desirable than any we ' ve ever had. Harter was pleased with the progress her office has made in balancing the budget. She said the new programs will generate about one million dollars in extra revenue next year, meaning that the state will have to assume less of the Univer- sity ' s debt burden. I think we ' ve done virtually everything human beings can do. The University made important strides both academically and finan- cially during the 1976-1977 school year toward alleviating already ex- isting problems while trying to avoid new ones. The success of the new programs will have a great influence on the course of the University for many years to come. Associate Dean of Students James Hartman collects donations during Free the Post Week. Administration 29