University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Dr. James H. Hartsock Petroleum Engineering It would take an extreme optimist to believe that the past fiancial crisis will be other than a recurring event. The problem will arise continualbf until both the public and their legislative representatives recognize the need for a long-term planning and budgeting system for higher ed- ucation in the state. The impact of these recurring crises on the future of the University will depend on their jiequency. If they occur yearbf the adverse publicity will discourage the better high school students from attending Pitt. These are the students whom we are currently seeking to attract. I can also envision a continual turnover of junior faculgf members or lack of research support. U the crisis occur every our years, each graduating class will experience the problem onbf once and the adverse publicity would discourage fewer students. In either case the University could not implement new programs and existing programs could be drasticalbf curtailed. Either alternative is undesirable and I am hoping that the state will soon improve itspolicy toward higher education. Question: tithe University and its past financial crisis . . . will this be a recurring 22

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Robert L. Donaldson Political Science Of late it has become increasingly apparent that the American university is farhhom being politicalbf sacred' for several years this has been demonstrated in other sec- tions ofthe country, and it has now been brought home to us. Thefuture of the University of Pittsburgh may de- pend, in part, on the recognition of and the reaction to this loss ofprivilege - but it has to be emphasized that we know little concerning the magnitude or nature ofthe problem at present. The 1970 response o the University community should not serve as a mode. The behavior of many individuals and sectors in the University rangedfrom undirectedpanic to focused paranoia. The problem was compounded by the fact that students, faculty, and administrators re- vealed a rather low level of acquaintance with political institutions and ractices in their own state, and we cannot a ora' to regarfthis as nothing more than a comment on t e machinations of some power elite. We were, most of us, patheticalbf baffled and unaware and, what is far more serious, not much ingenuity was evident in our search for remedies. This commentarv is a plea for an effort on the part ofthe University community to ser- iousbf ponder our relationship with our politica environ- ment - the 1970 effort cannot be regarded as a serious one. situation, and if so where does the future of the University lic-:'?,, 21

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Dr. John G. Wagner Mechanical Engineering There seems to be few outward indications that the Universigis financial crisis will not be a recurrent problem. While possibbt of lesser magnitude the situation will be no less significant in its ejects. Many possible solutions have been pondered running the gamut from reversion to a private institution to participation in a fulhf state related university system. In any case, it is the responsibility of the University to activehi seek an acceptable solution concomitant with its goals or ob- jectives. The concept of a partialbt state supported budget may well be the best compromise, provided the basis of that relatedness is itseh' well founded. Realisticalhi, it is most dwcult to putlforth and maintain an image approved by the voting pub ic. Such an ima e is, however, most neces- sary wit in the ramework ojg our present system. The compatibiligi o such a requisite with the pursuit of knowledge and excellence in higher education remains to be serioushi examined. ' situation, and if so Where does the future of the University lie? as 23