University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - Quiver Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

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Mark Mitchell, O.S.A. President Is the Enemy Entrenched in Dempsey ? I don’t think of the Dempsey administration as the enemy. I think the administration has to be broken down into individuals. It’s wrong to accuse all the administration of being anti-student or anti-people. There are certain individuals, however, who could better serve in positions that would not relate to students or affect student lives. At the top you have Roger Guiles. Now I firmly believe that Dr. Guiles is not the bad guy that everyone makes him out to be. My limited contact with Dr. Guiles has been one of guarded friendship. He honestly tries to do what he thinks is best for students. Obviously what he thinks is best for students and what is really best for students is two different things; but I think you have to give him credit for attempting to do what he thinks is best. Then you get down to the second level with Dr. White, Dr. Picht, and Dr. Ramsden. Dr. White probably has more relation with students than any of the rest of them. He is not actually a bad guy; but I don’t think he’s the kind of guy you could really rely on to get things done for you. If you thought it was important enough to spend the time and effort to go and talk to him I think you would have to follow up on it to make sure it was done. It’s really hard to pass judgement on Dr. Picht because he is in his position as a man whose major concern is effi-cency and money. He doesn’t have a lot of contact with students, and when he does have contact he comes across as being impersonal which, considering his position, is not good. Anyone in his position should be of the caliber of person who could work with students. Dr. Ramsden is head of Academic Affairs which In large portion is what the university is all about. I am firmly of the opinion that he is just not aware of the needs of students. Not that he is purposely trying to get anyone. I think it’s just that he’s ignorant of the real facts, and of the requirements of students in terms of academic affairs. In terms of replacing Dr. Guiles I think one would have to take into consideration what the alternatives are. As of right now he has supported OSA rather enthusiastically. I would prefer to have someone who is younger, more energetic in his pursuit of student rights, and who is more suitable to working with students; but the problem is that the job itself limits the availability of such a person. The requirements of the job limit the position to people who are administrators, and not to people who are good at working with people. There is a difference. There doesn’t have to be, but generally there is. This will probably be the last year for Dr. Guiles, and I assume a committee will be set up during the year to search and screen applicants for the Chancellor position. I think their job will be a hard one in that Dr. Guiles, in his total years at Oshkosh, has been a relatively good Chancellor. He came here in 1959 and the student enrollment has grown tremendously under his leadership. Dr. Ramsden could be replaced rather easily. A man in his position has got to be responsible. I don’t think it is a question of: Can someone do a better job? The position of Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs by job title alone limits itself to a person who is aware of the academic needs and requirements of students. Things have changed a lot in the last twenty years. The whole educational process has changed, and I think Oshkosh is behind in terms of academic growth and programs. I think a lot of the confusion, a sort of lapse of time, has occurred because of Dr. Ramsden’s office. He should be replaced by someone who is more aware more responsible. I’m not aware of the makeup of the search and screen com-m ittee except that both faculty and students will be on the committee. Faculty will be chosen by the Faculty Senate, and students will be chosen by the Executive Board of OSA with the approval of the Senate. These people will in effect do the searching and screening; but the final decision rests with the Board of Regents. In as much as there has been a recent merger I would assume that the person preferred right now by the Board of Regents would be someone who has been an important member of the Old Chapter 37 institutions, the old Wisconsin State University system. The Board of Regents probably have a number of candidates they would like to see on the list of possible Chancellors for Oshkosh; but as of right now it is hard to say what effect the committee’s recommendation would have or how dictatorial the Board of Regents are likely to be. Obviously the type of man who is needed for this position should be a very strong leader, one who can make decisions, but who is not adamant that he make all the decisions. He has to be someone who can listen to the students and faculty, and he has to be able to understand what these people are talking about. I also think continued on page 59 16

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An interview with Crusius, Mitchell and Guiles

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Mark Mitchell, OSA president for this year, is beginning to look like one of the most controversial student presidents in Oshkosh history. He is outspoken, honest, and fluent, and he does-n’t seem to fear man or beast. One note on the interview is that he has told the New Quiver office several times since the interview was recorded on tape that he meant to deal more firmly with Dr. Ramsden and less harshly with Dr. White. He believes that Dr. White is the most cooperative administrator in Dempsey.