Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

Page 32 text:

LEFT: Dr Blackwell welcomes the now members of the Board ot Trustees Mr. Eldridge M Caskey. Mr. William L. Jettord. Dr Black-well. Dr. William L Ball. Jr., and Mr. Eugene H Poole. BELOW: The Board considers issues ol vital importance to the Furman community including how to remody the football situation. 30 Trustees

Page 31 text:

Furman has named its camp in honor of Dr. L. P. Hollis, noted educator and humanitarian. Known for years as Camp Parker, the 75-acre property was re-named Camp Hollis in a short ceremony which was held at the camp. Some 300 friends and associates of Dr. Hollis were invited to attend. Dr. Hollis built the camp during World War II. The land was given to Parker School District in Greenville by Mrs. B. E. Greer, widow of a former Furman president. After 1951. the camp was operated by the Parker Foundation. The facility was given to Furman in 1966 due to the efforts of Dr. Hollis. Furman sponsors several music camps for youth at Camp Hollis during the summer, and Furman students use the facilities for numerous organization meetings. Camp Hollis 29

Page 33 text:

THE BONHOMIE INTERVIEWS DR. FRANCIS W. BONNER, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY: • BONHOMIE: Will Furman continue to enlarge its enrollment? DR. BONNER: Not appreciably during the years immediately ahead. The campus was designed to accomodate 2500 students. The present enrollment is about 2000, with about 2060 expected next year. Because of the inflated cost of construction and other factors, we have decided not to build additional dormitories in the near future. The present size of the student body enables Furman to have some of the advantages of the larger school while retaining most of the advantages of the small college. BONHOMIE: Do you feel that academic requirements will continue to rise for admission to Furman? DR. BONNER: Probably so, especially if the enrollment is kept at near its present level and if applications continue to exceed greatly the number who can be admitted. The academic quality of the student body continues to rise each year, not so much because we plan it that way but because we naturally give preference to those best qualified. We shall continue to accept many “average students, but we shall also accept more of the superior ones. We shall continue to try to avoid accepting students who are not adequately prepared to meet the minimum standards of academic performance. BONHOMIE: After almost two years of our new academic term system, i.e. twelve weeks, eight weeks, twelve weeks, what are some of the advantages and disadvantages? How do they weigh with each other? DR. BONNER: The general reaction to the new calendar and revised curriculum is that it has provided a better learning experience for the student than did the former system. This is the key factor. There seem to be fewer failures, fewer flunk-outs, and more good grades. And students as well as teachers generally like the limit of two or three courses. The increase in independent study, greater use of the library, foreign study programs, off-campus projects, and numerous other features of the program are encouraging. But there are problems. The limit of courses creates a problem for the student who gets behind as well as for the one who wants to accelerate his schedule. The short term condenses the work too greatly in many of the basic courses. And the course system (instead of semester hours) has cut the enrollment in the summer session and the evening division. We are seeking solutions to these and other problems. In general, we feel that the new program is a success. BONHOMIE: Do you still consider our system to be on a trial basis? J3R. BONNER: No. But that does not mean that it is R ermanent. We shall continue to try to get rid of the bugs and to consider alternatives. We do not intend to become wedded to any system. We may consider some change which will keep the best features of the present program while trying other things which prom- ise enrichment of the learning and teaching process. BONHOMIE: What proposed structures have top priorities in the construction program? Is there a time schedule for the next few buildings yet? DR. BONNER: We have been hoping to begin construction on the physical education building in the fall of 1970. We have some of the money but must find a source of more. At this time we cannot set an exact time at which construction will begin. After the physical education building will come certain units of the fine arts center — music facilities, art studios and gallery, and a theatre. We must get several more millions before we can set dates. BONHOMIE: The Peace Moratoriums held in the fall were nationwide. Do you think Furman's participation or non-participation affected the school in any way? DR. BONNER: Furman s participation created no problem. It was quiet, sincere, and well executed. It emphasized a point of view in an effective way. I believe that the chief benefits were of a personal nature to the participants. I know of no measurable adverse effects. BONHOMIE: The role of the Board of Trustees is constantly discussed by students. Do you feel that students should have a voice in decisions made by the Board? DR. BONNER: I think there should be the opportunity for students to make their views known to the trustees. This opportunity is provided in several ways, chiefly by having students sit with the various committees of the Board and with the Board in its sessions. The charter and the method of selecting the trustees would have to be changed if the students were to be given participation in decision making. As matters now stand, administration faculty, and students may recommend actions to the trustees but may not vote on decisions. I think the present system is working well. Dean Bonner 31