Montana State University Billings - Rimrock Yearbook (Billings, MT)

Page 7 text:

IE

Page 6 text:

Degree Clash Features 1962-63 Year The 1962-63 school year saw Eastern Montana College waging a battle for a liberal arts degree, and for a small portion of the year, a battle for survival in status. In October, President Herbert L. Steele presented to the Montana State Board of Regents, EMC’s proposal for a liberal arts degree. At that time, the Master Plan report had been received for study by the board, and feelings were very high for and against the degree. The Master Plan stated that Montana State University and Montana State College would be the only multi-purpose units for the 1963-64 school year, and probably over a future period of ten years. This, of course, is all subject to change on a yearly basis. President Steele told the Regents that no new courses would have to be added if the degree was granted, nor would there have to be any new professors hired, as Eastern Montana College has'the faculty and the facilities for granting the degree. Except for library expansion, needed regardless, a liberal arts degree would cost very little for Eastern. The major battle against the degree, waged mainly by the Western part of the state, was based on an inadequate library and inadequate funds to give Eastern the right to grant the degree. President Steele showed that the degree would cost Eastern very little money, if any, except for the library, so the argument of inadequate funds seemed to have little basis. To try and solve the dispute, Governor Tim Babcock chose a special study committee to meet on Eastern’s campus and report upon the feasability of the degree. The committee, chaired by John E. Tenge of Billings, met on February 1 and 2 at Eastern. During its stay on campus, the committee heard a report by Russ Hart, prominent Billings business man, who stated that the national trend was for schools such as Eastern to be able to grant a liberal arts degree. The committee also heard a report by Jay R. Marston, Student Legislature President, and David E. Nelson, Student Legislature Business Manager, on a student survey the legislature conducted. Senate Bill 17 (the “two-headed monster” bill), which stated that Eastern would come under Montana State University, caused the biggest controversy of the year, however. The bill, introduced by William G. Groff, passed easily in the Senate. There was a chance for it to pass in the House of Representatives after such an easy ride in the Senate. In a mass •‘demonstration against the bill, Eastern students and faculty made resolutions, wired congressmen and did everything possible to defeat the bill. The bill, which would have hurt Eastern’s status, was defeated easily in the House. The battle for the degree kept on throughout the year. Governor Babcock said he thought that Eastern would have the degree in two years. However, the general opinion was that Eastern probably would not be awarded the degree until later. There were many other issues in the school years 1962-63, but none so important as liberal arts. Acquisition of the degree involved education, and education is of great concern to America and Montana. Eastern throughout the years has given its students a wonderful education. But recent studies have shown that today’s student needs much more than just an education. His education today must be broad and complete. Eastern desires to light the way for its students, giving them the needed learning the best way it knows how. The students also want to learn the best way there is, and they appreciate the opportunity for a better education. The Rimrock is sure that the state of Montana desires the same thing for its youth. We are sure that Eastern will obtain a liberal arts degree in the near future, for it is needed and would be of great value. Not only will the Montana student benefit, but the state of Montana as well as its citizens will acquire more than they could ever realize. Pete Adams, The Retort cartoonist, again in 1962-63 gave life to the school and the paper with his witty and “true-to-life” cartoons, “Higher Education.” Shown on the opposite page is one of his cartoons pertaining to the liberal arts degree issue.

Page 8 text:

Education Building Relaxing in the Kimrock Hall Dormitory (opposite page) are Patricia A. Vollstedt, Jacquelyn T. Cooper, Gayle P. Mawhinney, and Kathleen K. Felska. 4