Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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I THE BONHOMIE INTERVIEWS DR. GORDON W. BLACKWELL, PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY: BONHOMIE: Students, alumni, and administration are concerned with our football program in that we seem to be consistently losing ground and money. What is the solution to the problem? DR. BLACKWELL: The Trustees have asked us to develop a football program strong enough to be competitive in the Southern Conference, while at the same time not increasing the investment of general university funds in athletics. This will require considerably increased financial support from alumni and athletic supporters in the community. We must succeed in this if we are to remain in the Southern Conference. BONHOMIE: There is a ceiling on the number of students admitted to Furman. What are the reasons for the 2500 limit? DR. BLACKWELL: The master plan for the campus was developed in the early 1950's with a maximum of twenty-five hundred students in mind. Decision concerning any future enrollment growth will be determined on both educational and financial grounds. We must decide whether we can grow beyond the present two thousand students without losing some of the advantages of the small college. At the same time, since we must raise from private sources almost forty percent of the cost of educating each student, we must determine whether we can afford to accept this additional fund raising which increased enrollment would require so as to maintain quality in all of our programs. 24 President Blackwell

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 BONHOMIE: There seems to be a trend among schools of higher education toward the relegation of in loco parentis powers. Who should assume these powers? MIKE RAY (Sophomore): As university students, we have graduated from the kinder gallon; thus, we should recognize that self-discipline is necessary to further our education. (If one does not acknowledge this necessity, should he even be in college?) This discipline becomes a part of our education, for each of us must exercise self-discipline in meeting the particular demands upon us. To give in loco parentis power to a student organization still does not meet the needs of our education sufficiently, because it shifts the obligation for discipline to a select body politic. All decisions become compromises between appeasement of the administration and the best interests of the whole student body. We must strive for a sophistication in our actions which is consistent with our quest for education, and leave the In loco parentis authority to the kindergarten. BONHOMIE: Do you feel isolated from the outside world at Furman? ANA BATISTA (Sophomore): There is a definite factor of isolation which exists on the Furman campus which may or may not be prevalent on other campuses. Through organizations, speakers, discussions, and other such activities the students get a sampling of what is really going on besides assignments, tests, and term papers: but true communication and familiarity the outside world is not easily felt or obtained. We may be extremely critical of this isolation factor, but perhaps this is the way it should be — only to take part of the Furman society temporarily. BONHOMIE: Does Furman University's Senate have the jurisdiction to express its opinion on matters outside the political realm of the university? MIKE MEDCALF (Junior): The Student Senate does have the right to voice its opinion on issues beyond the political realm of the university if they are issues which concern students as citizens. Part of any educational process is exposure to affairs and issues beyond one's immediate surroundings. Students formulate opinions on such affairs and issues. Certainly an opinion expressed by the Senate reflects the personal views of the Senate However, as a represent-, ative body on Furman’s campus the Senate does have the right to express its opinion on affairs of national interest. Student Opinion 23

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BONHOMIE: What do you consider Furman’s main asset in attracting the top quality student? DR. BLACKWELL: Furman's main asset in attracting good students is the quality of the faculty with an emphasis upon effective teaching and meaningful relationships between students and faculty. BONHOMIE: Students have questioned Furman's link with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Exactly what is the link? DR. BLACKWELL: Furman's charter, which was secured from the State of South Carolina by the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1850. provides that the Convention shall elect the Trustees and their successors from year to year. Under the charter the Trustees have authority to determine policy for the operation of the institution. In addition, the Convention currently is providing more than half a million dollars annually toward Furman's budget of more than seven million dollars. Of the Baptist support, almost half is for the current operating budget. Without this support, we would have to increase tuition and other costs to students or allow the quality of our program to deteriorate. BONHOMIE: Students are concerned with the amount of money used for campus beautification. Exactly what percent of Furman’s budget is used for this purpose and why? DR. BLACKWELL: The quality and beauty of our campus has undoubtedly attracted a great deal of financial support. People like to support something of quality and the physical facilities of the college are most visible to the public. Wise long-range planning for development of the campus is largely responsible for its beauty, not exorbitant sums of money for beautification. Furman has a smaller proportion of its budget in maintenance of plant and grounds than do most other colleges of our type, as revealed in a recent study. BONHOMIE: You keep up with student opinion. What is your main source of information? Do students approach you personally with problems? DR. BLACKWELL: We have tried to encourage a spirit of openness on the campus, including open lines of communication. In this we have achieved some success. My sources of information concerning student opnion include the President of Student Government who sits weekly with the Administrative Council and with whom I confer frequently, the Student Advisory Committee which is a representative group of 32 student leaders meeting with me monthly, the occasional fireside chats which I hold in the Student Center, talks with individual students, and frequent discussions with staff members in the Division of Student Affairs. Occasionally I talk with students about their personal problems and have been in a counseling relationship with a few students over an extended period of time. BONHOMIE: As top Executor of Furman, what social events do you enjoy most during the year? DR. BLACKWELL: Mrs. Blackwell and I enjoy most the opportunities to be with students in small, informal groups, often in our home. Junior-Senior is one of the social highlights for us. We also enjoy concerts, plays and athletic events. President Blackwell 25