Augusta College - White Columns Yearbook (Augusta, GA)

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WHITE COLUMNS. How do you see your role as President at Augusta College? CHRISTENBERRY. I conceive my role as Presi- dent of Augusta College as one of leadership and responsibility. The leadership role concerns the development of the College to provide for the citi- zens of the CSRA academic instruction, public service, and research to meet the needs of a growing community. There is a responsibility to the citizens of Georgia, including especially the students and faculty of Augusta College and ' the residents of this area, to see that Augusta Col- lege fulfills its purpose as a senior institution in the University System of Georgia seeking to meet the needs in the three areas listed. WHITE COLUMNS. Has the title of President of Augusta College hampered your being recog- nized as an individual? CHRISTENBERRY. I do not think so. WHITE COLUMNS. How do you view your rela- tionship with the student body? CHRISTENBERRY. My relationship with students has been primarily with individuals such as stu- dent leaders and certain organizations. The commuting nature of the student body mitigates against extensive contacts. This is an aspect which I regret intensely. I plan to schedule open meetings with students during the coming year to exchange ideas and receive suggestions. WHITE COLUMNS. What would be your honest evaluation of the student body? CHRISTENBERRY. I evaluate the student body as above average in intelligence and motivation. It compares most favorably with the student body of any college with which I have been associated. WHITE COLUMNS. If a student protest started at AC, what would be your stance? CHRISTENBERRY. If a peaceful student protest occurred in accordance with College regulations, I would first ascertain the cause and seek to dis- cuss solutions to the situation. If actions disrup- tive of the teaching function or the administra- tion of the College took place, it would be dealt with firmly. WHITE COLUMNS. What is the college administra- tion doing to achieve closer personal relationships with the students? CHRISTENBERRY. Students have been appointed to College committees, have assisted in the se- lection of a dean of students, and have partici-

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pated in the Self-Study for the Southern Associa- tion. A committee to design a system of College Governance will be appointed in the near future. Its composition will be 50% faculty, 25% stu- dents and 25% administration. This should in- volve student opinion in developing the future of the College. WHITE COLUMNS. What are the plans for a Mas- ter ' s Program at Augusta College? CHRISTENBERRY. Proposals for Master ' s pro- grams in Business administration and education are currently being considered by the Board of Regents. It is hoped that favorable action will occur soon. WHITE COLUMNS. How would you compare AC with other colleges in the Southeast, especially concerning academics? CHRISTENBERRY. Augusta College compares most favorably with other colleges in the South- east. WHITE COLUMNS. Will there be any black men or women hired as faculty members within the near future? CHRISTENBERRY. We have actively sought quali- fied black faculty to fill vacancies for next year. Due to the great shortage, at present we have not been successful, but will continue our efforts. WHITE COLUMNS. Do you recognize a drug prob- lem in the AC community? If so, what is Augusta College doing to help combat this problem? CHRISTENBERRY. The Augusta area has a drug problem. At present it does not seem to be criti- cal in the Augusta College community. We have appointed a committee on Drug Abuse that has been active in disseminating material at registra- tion and stands ready to assist anyone that has a drug problem. This committee is cooperating with other organizations in the area concerned with the drug problem. Information on drugs will be included in physical education courses next year. The student personnel department is alert and ready to assist in dealing with the drug problem. WHITE COLUMNS. What role do you think Au- gusta College should take in the CSRA community? CHRISTENBERRY. Augusta College is a center of learning. All facets of our present civilization in- cluding the culture, business, politics, social rela- tions, and science should be presented in such a way that individuals may determine how they may reach conclusions in the best interest of the individual and society. A college is not a so- cial reformer, political machine or creator of problems. WHITE COLUMNS. What plans for physical ex- pansion does the college have? CHRISTENBERRY. Augusta College has been authorized to renovate Building Six into a class-