Western Washington University - Klipsun Yearbook (Bellingham, WA)

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ability for spending other people's money, office as a public trust, restraint in behavior and use of power, devotion to the college have been joined by such beliefs as use of office, money and press to promote certain interests, the college should be more relevant to society and more meaningful to individuals, and no one has to pay attention to anyone else. Where many persons believe college to be primarily a group of scholars gathered to ra- tionally seek knowledge and understanding, now, some contend that college should help people be more humane to one another and that esoteric specialization in a discipline is irrelevant. In conduct and curriculum the record of change exists. Conduct regulations stress due process and there is reluctance in the community to apply the regulations to violations. Students sit on curricu- lum and other college committees and want seats on a Senate and the Board of Trustees. Special ar- rangements have been made to accomodate mi- nority culture students here. The grading system is beginning to change. A free university has start- ed. The Associated Students, exercising their tra- , ,W g .V . . - ag 5. f . . M XXX ditional independence of action, have initiated many programs such as the Lakewood recreation facility, Educational Reform Week, Black Culture Week, scholarship drives, peace in Vietnam pan- els, students on the Academic Council, a co-op store, tenant union, teacher evaluation. Many stim- ulating entertainers and speakers have been brought to campus. Most of the students' additions have culminated during 1968-69 and they participate more fully in the cooperative venture of running a college. Other changes have been indirectly caused by stu- dents. Growth in student enrollment has induced the college to build a variety of residence halls and union facilities, with attendant new programs. The Health Services have been increased. Fairhaven College has become the first cluster college in the State. Western has decided to give emphasis to en- vironmental sciences and has sought authoriza- tion to offer a doctor's degree. The Computer Sci- ences program, with sophisticated computer equipment, is another indication of rapid develop- ment at Western. 5, . ,,.,. ,lg . . 1

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DEAN HWCHMAN From 1966 to 1969 the student scene at Western has changed. While Western has usually been re- garded as a college hospitable to new ideas, the last three years have witnessed alterations in stu- dent appearance and behavior chiefly character- ized by dissatisfaction with the status quo. For some, this means a renunciation of society, for others, an active attempt to change it. At Western, most students have proceeded to study and earn a degree, but segments of the student body have drawn attention by use of drugs, demonstrations, vulgarity and sensationalism in programs and the student paper. However, the main student thrusts by which the past three years will be remembered at Western are the movement for more active par- ticipation in decision-making, concern for the dis- advantaged at home and desire for peace abroad. The student quest for relevance has added a new vigor to the campus. The faculty reaction has been mixed. Most fac- ulty are silent, a few oppose the student movement, some encourage it and increasing numbers are agreeing with it. The administration has usually been flexible in dealing with students, and in most cases has helped make changes. Since so much that is happening is new, it is not always clear if faculty practice is in the best interests of the institution, it is not always clear when the administration is practicing appeasement or cooperating to improve the college community. Only time can tell. The college itself is changing. Concepts such as account-

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The college is growing, and soon Western's tradi- tional stance of an open society without social or- ganization may find itself beleaguered by a more intense set of communication, decision-making and alienation problems. The college may need some smaller units of social organization in order for the individual to find more fulfillment and indentifi- cation. The splintering trend will probably persist as peo- ple eontinue to reject old principles of authority and seek new ones. Nevertheless, there is a great need for faculty and students to think not only of the individual and group point of view, but to con- sider the whole college and the long-range conse- quences of an act. Some necessary ingredients for a sense of community at Western are trust of oth- ers, awareness of what is going on, a willingness to participate in college affairs. Too often this field of endeavor is abandoned to others and the few appear to speak for the many. The best way to prevent an unheeding bureaucracy or faction dominating the scene is to take an active interest in college issues. Some students and faculty are unwilling to abide an executive type of administration, and urge gov- ernance by forum or by impulse. Such government is neither effective nor democratic. Government by clique and pressure is no more attractive than anarchy or dictatorship. Small factions will con- tinue to unbalance lVestern until the majority en- act their will after debate and deliberation. With a college Senate composed of students, faculty, ad- ministration, staff and an executive branch headed by the President, perhaps VVestern would enjoy an adequate internal government. Over this ar- rangement, the Board of Trustees would continue to be the necessary legal authority of Western's governance, subject to the State of VVashington. Thus the interests of all parties would be repre- sented in effective government. In comparison to other schools that are dominated by campus disruption or placidity, Western seems to be adaptable and viable. lVestern's liberal tradi- tion, the backgrounds of students and the pressures of a technological society are some reasons for this condition. Also, the size and diversity of the college assist a diffusion of interests and energies. How- ever, the main reason Western has survived any serious malady is the willingness of leaders among students, administration and faculty to discuss is- sues and reasonably reach agreements. It is hoped that in the future Western can achieve reforms where needed, maintain scholarly inquiry into subject matter, be valuable to students, and graduate men and women who will make the world a better place in which to live. wfutwwi