Southeastern Massachusetts University - Scrimshaw Yearbook (North Dartmouth, MA)

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dmv 3 fx, 1:1 a t. is . f we A 'mi 'Y 4. if ,-A 1: ' -' - li Torrey L J DEAN SAURO, College of Arts and Sciences As you are about to leave SMU, I cannot help but wonder whether we have successfully provided you with the opportunities to achieve the goals you set when you first entered the University. During these past four years you have helped to provide many changes within the University, particularly in regard to greater student involvement in curriculum development and faculty evaluation. It is unfortunate that although we actively desire and solicit your involvement as a stu- dent, we often fail to involve you in evaluating the University, its programs, and faculty after graduation. Therefore, I personally ask each one of you sometime during this next year to reflect on the four years you have studied at SMU and to assess those aspects of your educational experience which you have found to be of the greatest value to you, those which you found to be of little or no value to you, and those which you feel actually had a negative affect on your efforts to achieve your career goals. After you have reflected on your experiences at SMU would you please write to inform us of your views. Your experience both at SMU and in the year or two after graduation can play an important part in our self-evaluation as an educational institution. By sharing with us your assessment of where we have succeeded and where we have failed, you shall continue to be an active member in our educational development. My best wishes to you on this day and in the years ahead. in Kevin P. Bessette DOUQIHS H- Becker f Jeanne 'V'- Beaudoin Qiifiiifgi giyisi xii S ? Em ,, .r- -at Mn Qt 3 gy i J I 1

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situation, whereas three years ago we were starving to death, financially. We still have very real problems, but things are improving. I've noticed SMU is becoming more of a center and resource, in the best sense, for a University for this part of the Commonwealth. We are serving the community in more realistic ways. JF: What changes have you seen in the attitude of the students? WALKER: I think the students here are a remarkable group. I think they are much more articulate, much more informed, much more aware of the University's general problems than any campus of which I have been aware. I don't know the reason for this. I don't know that I have noticed any particular change, except that the deep concern that students have for this University has become very apparent in the budget issue. I don't know that this represents a change, I think it was always there, it is just now being expressed in constructive ways that are noticable .... Well, why dontcha ask me what I hope to do at SMU? JF: Alright, what do you hope to do at SMU? WALKER: Okay, it seems to me we've got a couple of goals here at SMU. One we'II call institutional goals. We conducted a poll of the constuencies inside and outside the University to see what people expected SMU to be. Interestingly enough, what our constituents expect us to be inside and outside the University is not primarily a teaching University but a full-purpose, full-range community-oriented University. Those are the goals that we pursue. I don't think a University President can come in with a blueprint and cut off the parts that don't fit. I think a University is an organic, growing - if you'II permit me to be metaphorical - living organism that must be sensitively managed. Some one once said no one should tamper with Universities that does not know them or love them. My father and his father before him were both university professors. I have a deep affection for universities. JF: It runs in the family. .xg X Q r' F M WALKER: It runs in the family. That is one type of goal, there is another kind of goal I hope we can serve at SMU - a kink of process goal, the way we make decisions. We talk about democracy in universities. most Universities are not nearly democratic enough, though they are more democratic than, say, most business organizations. What we are trying to do here is get people involved in making decisions who are going to be affected by those decisions...to maintain a totally open communicative style Now, it's hard going, because there are people here who bear deep scars, and we spend a good deal of time treating one another for paranoia. But basically, I see the climate of trust growing, at least in this building and to some extent among the students and faculty. It takes a great deal of time. But one of the things I hope we can do is innovate by getting more people involved in decision-making, by decentralising authority, and at the same time getting things done, so that decisions don't wait for a consensus to emerge. The way administrators do that is by maintaining a relatively low profile and by getting the juices flowing in other people and maintaining a high profile outside the institution acting as ambassador for the University to the community. JF: How about your personal goals? Would you like to see your mystery novels published? Or, have you already had material published? WALKER: I have had a science-fiction story published in a literary magazine: I have not yet published a mystery story, but yes, I certainly would like to have one of those published, and I have one that I think will be published. JF: Any last words? WALKER: Go, and send no more.

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i l Cynthia L. Ambroseno P gwwg. JACK LEITE, President, Senior Class A lot of progress has been made at SMU in the past four years. It seems the campus has doubled in physical facilities as well as enrollment. But as this institution has grown, so has its concern for its students. During the Driscoll era when we had the strike and boycotts, SlVlU became a political issue, and of course also during this time frame was the burden of the Vietnam conflict. With all these political issues at hand, it was easy to see where the students' heads were at. But after all this, Iet's say from 1971 on, this institution has changed its course to becoming a full functioning university. As a way of rounding out everything, students have gained the necessary input that had been lacking previously. Showing a concern for students, we have seen strong viable organizations grow, for example SAP, Concert Series, Women's Center, BSU, Fraternities, etc. As for me, my education here has been adequate, unfortunately it hasn't been in the classroom, but I know that is not true for all the students. :J Karen L.wl3ean Steven H BGSTOFH Donald A Barrette Lino P Barreto