University of Notre Dame - Dome Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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awareness of the outside world. What is evident is that the awareness is more manifest. Other areas reflect a similar development. For the first time in its 144 year history, Notre Dame now has two lay vice-presidents. Dr. George N. Shuster, himself a Notre Dame alumnus, is assis- tant to Father Hesburgh. Dr. Thomas Stewart, former head of the math department, is now asso- ciate vice-president for academic affairs. Of the eight deans, six are laymen. The faculty of nearly 700 has fewer than one hundred priests. The theol- ogy department has among its members two lay- men and one lay woman theologian. The increase in faculty numbers has given greater impetus to the demands being made by AAUP for increased salary, benefits, and control. The establishment of a faculty senate at Notre Dame, however, does not now appear to be a possibility. Student organizations have become more diver- sified than ever; their members are becoming more intent upon issues with significance outside the University. The committee begun last year to im- prove South Bend relations has expanded to include the three other area colleges and the Chamber of

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Commerce. Political groups can now be organ- ized on campus, requiring only their registration with Student Government. There is a chapter of YAF, and a South Bend chapter of ADA; there are also members of SDS, although the group is not yet registered. Student Government has be- come more and more concerned with making itself worthwhile, although its success is some- what dubious. Nonetheless, the number of stu- dents who vote in each student body election is constantly growing. This year there were 3442 votes cast. More spontaneous, but nonetheless effective, groups have also arisen. The financial success of the Film Society is an indication of the recep- tion it has secured ; and the response to IPP pro- ductions indicates a sen sitivity to student initia- tive in the arts outside of the usual classroom and experimental situation. The institution of an honor concept is but a further indication of a growing student aware- ness of the possibility of meaningful participa- tion in decisions affecting their own lives. Although not all students may yet see Notre Dame as primarily an academic situation and experience, that potential is already being ex- ploited by many, and by many more each year. Although for some the four years may be still a social experience calculated by distance from football weekends, the University is constantly more committed to self-appraisal and improve- ment. And student concern for hastening that improvement, however imprudent it may seem, is a genuine concern.