Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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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

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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

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THE BONHOMIE INTERVIEWS DR. OLIVIA FUTCH, DEAN OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS: BONHOMIE: As Dean of Academic affairs what are the most common problems which you encounter? OEAN FUTCH: As Associate Dean for Academic Affairs my day to day work involves helping students solve their academic problems. Whether or not it is wise to drop a course, to take a heavier load than usual by ‘•challenging'' a course, to change a faculty adviser, to transfer to another college, to change majors — these are a few of the specific common problems that students present to me. Current course selection, adjustment of course work, long-term planning, including major, career, graduate and professional study plans, are included in the work of the Academic Affairs Office both directly and in the general coordination of the total faculty advisory program. Special programs are sponsored by this office with the aim of improving academic work. These include a partial responsibility for advising and providing for advising by faculty members during Orientation of new students, setting up a reading developmental program, planning for Scholarship Recognition Day. Awards Day. and assisting with the Furman Scholars Day for high school juniors. BONHOMIE: Do you feel that the liberal arts program is outdated in this highly specialized, technical world? DEAN FUTCH: In our highly specialized. technological society liberal arts are more important than ever before. Both cultural and scientific advances require the relating of knowledge from many fields. With more automation of both physical and mental work, larger proportions of our society will have leisure and will “work at educational and recreational pursuits which will be of a creative and appreciative nature. The fine arts, languages, literature, history, religion. and philosophy, and the social sciences dealing with man's relationships to man are also showing an explosive development to-32 D«an Futch day along with technological advances. They are essential in the development of whole persons not only among the leaders in a technological society, but they are becoming more important for the masses. The liberal arts are essential in a specialized technical world. BONHOMIE: Many colleges are in the process of doing away with exams. Is Furman considering this as a possibility? DEAN FUTCH: In any effective educational process there must be some means of evaluation. Examinations constitute only one type of evaluation, but in education they will continue to be important. As comprehensive examinations in the major field and comprehensive examinations in the broad areas of the liberal arts and sciences are more fully developed and widely used at Furman, there may be a decrease in emphasis upon tests and examinations in specific courses. Means of self-checking for progress in skill subjects may fore-seeably gain in importance. 1 favor broad area examinations that will encourage a synthesis of learning, but I do not see any immediate discontinuance of course tests and examinations at Furman. BONHOMIE: Independent Research has been offered two years now and is required in many departments for graduation. Have stu- dents taken advantage of this opportunity? Do you feel that Independent Study has been conducted in a manner which is fully beneficial to the student? Does the individual professor have prerogative in setting up the framework for his Independent Study students? DEAN FUTCH: Independent Study has many different meanings at Furman at the present time. The two principles found in the various interpretations that are held in common are individualization in choice of topics or problems and student self-responsibility for scheduling and organizing efforts in solving the problem or exploring the topic. The ultimate goal is learning to learn or the development of skills, interests, and initiative in continuing to learn on one's own when formal college work is discontinued or when one pursues advanced studies in graduate or professional school. My observation is that while some students are doing very creditable work in Independent Study, others are not ready for it and must be nursed along if they are to finish their projects at all. There are certainly too many I's given for failure to comg plete independent studies withiim the term. I think this situation will improve as students and faculty become more experienced in carrying out this phase of the new curriculum.