University of Arkansas Pine Bluff - Golden Lion Yearbook (Pine Bluff, AR)

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A Personal Perspective - Medioority ln Eduoa tion A National Crisis UAPB is Second to none A former Chancellor once stated. In June 1983, the National Commission on Excellence in Education gave a report which caused an uproar which has yet to be stilled. The Commission stated that a tide of mediocrity threatened to engulf the nation's schools and that too many students were graduating high school with sub- standard skills. Leaders at the national, state, and local level were forced to legislate laws which could help cure some of the ails of the U. S. educational system. Stating that increased federal spending was not the answer to the plights of education, President Ronald Reagan stressed going back to the basics and merit pay for superior teachers. In Arkansas, Governor Bill Clinton faced the task of developing a school district funding formula which would satisfy the Arkansas Supreme Court. His wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton was appointed to the head of the Education Standards Committee in an effort to upgrade the system. At the level of higher education, many students were found to be lacking in skills in basic subjects. The resulting strain on already tight budgets due to increased enrollment in remedial courses was almost a killing blow to many colleges. The University of Arkansas system was not immune to financial woes but UAPB Chancellor Lloyd Hackley stressed that colleges should not lower their standards. We as students at UAPB share the struggle to stem the tide of mediocrity which threatens education in America. Not only should we not settle for mediocrity in just getting by in classes, we should challenge our faculty to reach higher heights. Faculty leniency to athletes in reaching high academic standards should not be tolerated. A former chancellor once stated that UAPB was second to none . We all share the responsibility for maintaining an educational institution which will keep alive that bold declaration. By: Welton Boyce, Associate Editor

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UAPB Spirit Day ,,,.,,1f,, V l' The UAPB student body gathered together in the Hazzard Gymnasium to promote that special kind of school spirit - Golden Lion Mania! Led on with speeches by Chancellor Lloyd V. Backley and Coach Ben McGee the chants and cheers rose higher and higher. Soon the UAPB style of spirit, that Mania had infected the whole campus and it's surrounding communities.

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A Personal Subject I ' Wan 4- Auf, QQ: . f 9 O I f I f 70 fi- ., is 'V Q ff? order to receive, yOU have to give yOUf b6Sf. Achrevementlrs