Suffolk University - Beacon Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Fulham Administration — an era of growth and progress It is really difficult to look back over ten years and realize that it was ten years. In 1970, when I agreed to accept the presidency, I was certain that I was doing the right thing. Unlike a person approaching a new situation, I had the advantage of nine years of Trusteeship that enabled me to understand the mission and ob- jectives of Suffolk University. Despite the myriad of changes and the influence of different persons and events, this mission and those objectives have not changed, only become more relevant. Of paramount importance to any educational institution is the quality, quantity and attitude of the students who attend. The progress that has been made during my administration has been a faculty and administrative response to the desires and ambitions of the students for objectivity, enrichment, and the desire to in- crease their awareness of their latent abilities and the circumstances that will at- tend them when they enter the world in which they must live. May I take the opportunity to thank the students not only for the problems they gave me, but for the inspiration I received by being allowed to share in their struggles and ambitions. I shall treasure these memories for the rest of my life. Thomas A. Fulham ' s decision to step down as president on July 18, his 65th birthday, caught the Suffolk community by surprise, but it was no impulsive move on the president ' s part. He had been mulling the deci- sion over for some time. Fulham, the sixth president in Suf- folk University history, had served longer than any of his predecessors save for founder Gleason L. Archer. He will probably be remembered as the University ' s most progressive president. The student newspaper, Suffolk Journal, which frequently took him over the coals, nevertheless assessed him as accessible and who never hedged on issues. The Evening Voice cited the purchase of the Ash- burton Place Building as an example of the growth during Fulham ' s ten- ure. The Fulham tenure is studded with accomplishment. Physically, the university ' s growth is evidenced by three new buildings and an operating budget of $15 mil- lion, up from $5 million when Fulham succeeded Judge John E. Fenton in October of 1970. He con- tinued Fenton ' s open door policy with the students and staff and kept the university debt free with a bal- anced budget. One of Fulham ' s greatest strengths has been his leadership in the com- munity and neighborhood. Not only did he cooperate with the Beacon Hill Civic Association, he joined and became a director. Temple Walk, the attractive mall fronting the Donahue Building, got its impetus from the Suffolk presi- dent. He encouraged Suffolk student Arthur Slotnick and the Beacon Hill architect Jim McNeeley to pursue the project. With the help of $25,000 university contribution, the plan be- came a reality. President Fulham had served as a trustee for eight years before assum- ing the presidency. He has seen en- rollment climb by more than 1000. The stature of the faculty rose so that nearly 100 professors held doctor- ates. During his 10 year service: Construction of the $3.2 million Fenton building and $1 million ren- ovation of the Donahue building. Acquisition of the 12 story United Way building. Suffolk University Law School was voted full membership in the Association of American Law Schools. Creation of a Center for Public Management in the business school. Establishment of trustee visiting committees. Development of the Robert S. Friedman Cobscook Bay Laboratory. Establishment of the senior citi- zens ' program enabling those over 65 to take free courses, a program which has won the commendation of the Massachusetts House of Repre- sentatives and has been emulated in the State Colleges. Establishment of a collection of Afro-American literature. Restructuring of the Suffolk Uni- versity Alumni Association and de- velopment of an annual fund for the colleges and law school. Formation of a Women ' s Commit- tee on campus. Direct nomination of alumni mem- bers to the board of trustees. Ratification of Joint Statement on Rights, Freedoms and Responsibil- ities of Students. University membership in WGBH Educational Foundation. Fulham has become one of the most active and respected leaders in private education in the Common- wealth. He was recently elected as chairman of the Association of Inde- pendent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, representing 52 insti- tutions of higher learning in Massa- chusetts. Chairman Vincent A. Fulmer praised the Fulham tenure. He has brought the presidency a seasoned business acumen and a calm r easoned approach to the organiza- tion of educational programs . . . and managed the affairs of Suffolk Uni- versity with extraordinary care and attention to it ' s financial integrity.

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I the future . . . Ashburton Place Suffolk University purchased the Ashburton Place building as their answer to much needed space. The 65-year-old building was first built to house the Boston City Club. On September 2, 1978 the Univer- sity signed final papers that would make the 12 story building part of Suffolk. Previously owned by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay Inc., the cost for 8 Ashburton Place was $605, 000. This year and last, students were given guided tours of the building, and the Student Government Associ- ation worked at getting student voice for the building blueprints. The expected time Suffolk would occupy the building has varied. In 1978 University Officials said that Ashburton would be ready by 1980. Later the date was changed to 1981, and now its 1982. The finished result will be all ad- ministrative offices, a student pub, classrooms, and cafeteria, all occu- pying the first eight floors. The four empty top floors are secured for fu- ture growth. Student Activities and organiza- tions will be housed in Ashburton for two years, while the Ridgeway building is renovated. Then they will go back to their previous home since no room can be found for them in 8 Ashburton Place.

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After interviewing President Fulham for the Suffolk Journal, I would walk out of his office amazed and a little respectful at his ability to dance around a direct question or evade it completely if the mood struck him. The office of Public Relations re- leased what I call propoganda when Fulham announced his resignation. It is true that he accomplished ev- erything written about him on the previous page, but he did an equal amount of injury to the students of Suffolk University. The Fenton building was built along with the promise of more space for student activities. Instead, the already cramped space in the Ridgeway building became more crowded when two classrooms had to be added because the Fenton building could not hold them. The renovation of the Donahue building did nothing for the under- graduates. It was turned over to the Law School, with undergraduate dollars funding it. In almost total secrecy, the United Way building was purchased when it became evident that the undergrads would not give up the cafeteria as quietly as expected. Un- der fire from the SGA and the stu- dent body, the building was pur- chased. However, four floors will remain empty for future growth. No space for activities. After the A Ridgeway building is renovated, all space will be moved back down to the bottom of the hill. All the trustee committees do not have student voting power. The members listen for fifteen minutes to students presenting proposals, then dismiss them to talk about the pro- posals. Students are not allowed to hear the trustees ' pros and cons or to explain any questions. Most of the time, the vote is against the students. Fulham appeared at a State House Educational Committee hearing to present the administration ' s view on a bill students were trying to intro- duce. This bill, among other things, would force boards of trustees to have student members join in an ac- tive voice in colleges that receive state financial aid. Fulham ' s reason for not having students on the Board? . . . It is not traditional. The Women ' s Committee disband- ed because of his inaction on their suggestions. Since 1979, the commit- tee has disbanded, and has been in adjournment since the chairperson resigned. Fulham has not intervened because it is a faculty matter. The Joint Statement on Rights, Freedom, and Responsibilities of Students was drawn up by a Journal editor and its advisor to protect the students. Before this document, nothing was drawn up in their be- half. Fulham does not deserve the credit. Citing rising costs, the Fulham ad- ministration took automatic service scholarships away. All totalled, 26 people, putting in an average of 30 or more hours per week, did not re- ceive tuition remission. Yet the board continued to hold its expen- sive meetings at the Parker House Hotel, and the Oyster Club. Nine months went by before the decision was ever discovered. Now, with the help of the Scholar- ship Committee and the Financial Aid director Darcie Lincoln, some progress has been made. These posi- tions are now going to be funded un- der workstudy. All along these peo- ple were stonewalled and did not receive any help from Fulham. This university is run by the stu- dents for the students. It is their money that paid his salary. Tuition rose and one word was given in re- sponse: inflation. No one saw the figures, no one got straight answers why or where the money was going. Time and again, he had the oppor- tunity to give answers, but instead, asked questions. Now I ask: Why was it so hard to listen to our cries, and why did the trustees not hear? The strike of 1979 put a crack in the administration ' s armor, and still, it is up to all students to fend for them- selves. Universities are for learning. Universities are not corporations. I understand that costs rise, but where? I never saw anything for my money. Good Luck Mr. Fulham. You need it, and so do I. Nina Gaeta, Editor in Chief 19