Dickinson State University - Prairie Smoke Yearbook (Dickinson, ND)

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PRAIRIE SMOKE: What is your opinion about the involvement of DSC students in activities outside the classroom? How does it compare with other schools? DR. GILLUND: Ft is my philosophy that edu- cation is not limited to the confines of a class- room. There are numerous activities outside the classroom that provide relevant and mean- ingful learning experiences and contribute to the overall growth of the student. In comparison with other schools, I believe students at DSC possess a keen interest in participating in activities outside the class- room and would rate high in comparison with other colleges. PRAIRIE SMOKE: Do you think this in- volvement is good, poor, or indifferent? If so, why? DR. GILLUND: I believe, as I indicated pre- viously. that this is good. It shows vitality, as opposed to stagnation. This involvement will always be valuable, if it is done with sincerity of purpose. PRAIRIE SMOKE: How do you feel about students' attitudes toward the faculty? DR. GILLUND: It is my observation that stu- dents have a respectful attitude toward the faculty. I think this respect has been borne out of good relationship between students and faculty. Obviously, this varies from Division to Division, professor to professor, but by and large, 1 am very pleased at the attitude of the student toward the faculty. PRAIRIE SMOKE: Do you feel that there is a good enough communication between the students, faculty ami administration? DR. GILLUND: It is rather difficult to make a generalized statement relative to the lines of communication. I, personally, feel that they are good, however, this is not to say that they cannot be improved upon and this is a real objective which I have. I consider this matter of communication of prime importance. PRAIRIE SMOKE: In general, how would you say your first year as president of Dick- inson State College has been? DR. GILLUND: Without equivocation, this has been one of the most rewarding, satisfy- ing, and exciting years of my personal life and professional career. I cannot begin to totally and completely express my deepest and sincerest feeling of appreciation to the students, faculty and administrators for their patience, kindness and cooperation. It is dif- ficult for any institution to adjust to a new president and I must say, everyone has done everything to make this year truly a mem- orable one. My only frustration has been the seemingly lack of time to do everything I have wanted to do. 20

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The new bookstore is an example of a change that will he effective the fall quarter of 1970. PRAIRIE SMOKE: What is your opinion about the future of DSC? Will it continue to grow as rapidly as it has in the past 10 years? DR. GILLUND: DSC has enjoyed an enviable record of growth in the past 10 years. As one realizes the demographic studies of recent years and studies of birthrate data recently published, it would appear that the high percentage of growth will not continue. North Dakota is having a significant decline of population. This, coupled with the impetus given to vocational education, would lead one to have some apprehension about tremendous growth. Despite the population de- crease, 1 am still optimistic about DSC’s growth. The new programs which become effective this fall will certainly have an impact on our enroll- ments in the future. It is my feeling that a plateau has been reached on our enrollments for the next year or two, but I predict and project a steady growth from that point on. DSC has an outstand- ing reputation and we are giving constant and considerable thought to means of encouraging more high school graduates to attend DSC. PRAIRIE SMOKE: Do you have any long range plans to assist this growth and what are they? DR. GILLUND: Yes, we definitely have long- range plans to stimulate our enrollment. This past year we have experimented w ith little parties after school hours at a number of our area high schools. We are going to expand upon this next year. 1, for one, will visit every school in our area. We are encouraging our Divisions to pro- vide consultant services (clinics, workshops, etc.) to the schools to give evidence of our concern. We will keep the name of DSC continually before the public. I will meet with all of our alumni by regions to seek their continued support in encour- aging students to attend DSC. We have estab- lished a separate news bureau to continually sub- mit news releases to the media. Our plans are so voluminous that to summarize them in a para- graph is difficult PRAIRIE SMOKE: Do you have any plans for construction and building on the campus? If so, when and where? DR. GILLUND: We expect to begin construction of the DSC Stadium this summer, if bids are satisfactory. We have requested, in the next bi- ennium, an addition to Murphy Hall and the Library. We are also requesting a million dollars for student housing. We have legislative permis- sion to construct additional married student hous- ing as need dictates. We are raising funds for a Fine Arts Complex. We have requested addi- tional funds to expand Scott Gymnasium and our physical education facilities. We are hoping to beautify the Mall this summer, weather and funds permitting. We will be constructing office facil- ities in the lower level of Klinefelter Hall during the summer months. We are requesting funds to construct a storage building to replace the un- sightly wooden building behind Scott Gymnasium. 19

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PRAIRIE SMOKE: Are there any changes that you feel are necessary before next school year? If so, tvhal? DR. GILLUND: The first change that must take priority is the transition from the Book Rental System to the Book Purchase Plan. We are re-examining our orientation, registration and advising procedures for next fall, to assure students expeditious handling of their course programming. We are reviewing our class schedule carefully to avoid conflicts, in as much as possible. All facets of operation will he carefully scrutinized during the summer months. 21