Westfield State University - Tekoa Yearbook (Westfield, MA)

Page 23 text:

Dean McKenna Do you believe that the current student unrest is justified? believe that the current student unrest is based in reality. Students and faculty have continually voiced their concern over the need for a share in the decision-making process, policy making and implementation. Now that the opportunity is present, they no longer seem interested. The general student body wants changes in the intellectual and social life on campus. No committees are functioning. The channels for bringing about change are inoperative. Students can see no progress, no movement, no change. Do you feel that faculty and students have exhausted all legal channels to solve the problems here at Westfield? The problems here at Westfield State Col- lege in my opinion, revolve around partner- ship in governance. Partnership in gover- nance at Westfield State does not require legal channels at this point. Legal channels are only constructive when co-operation has no chance of succeeding. If the present Administration stays in power do you believe that it is possible for equal governance to exist? If the final structure is a fair and honest one where neither faculty, students, nor admin istration have an unjust advantage over the other, the structure will withstand all selfish attempts to destroy it as long as it remains unselfish. If you were to describe the ideal college climate (atmosphere), what would it be? believe that the ideal college climate is one in which intellectual life is paramount: where faculty and administration realize that facilitating individual student learning in all areas is the the objective of the college and all services, policies, procedures and indi- viduals are evaluated in the light of this. The climate must be one where the objec- tive is to help one another, where ideas are judged on their merits not on their sources, where people are judged on what they do, not on who they are, where each is careful not to embarrass another, where we believe what another says and do not give him ulter- ior motives, where communication and co- operation exists among all.

Page 22 text:

Dean Green Do you believe that the current student unrest is justified? most emphatically do believe that the current student unrest is justified. Much of the campus unrest could have been avoided through prompt and responsible communi- cation instead of closing out the students. Running away from an issue serves only to fan the fire of rage and resentment. These past years of tension, ill feeling, and turmoil were so unnecessary and have deprived the student body of what could have been hap- py college experiences to be treasured throughout life. They (the students) will be the leaders of tomorrow so let ' s listen to them today. Ma- turity and wisdom are not a prerogative only of the older generation . Do you feel that students and faculty have exhausted all legal channels to solve the problems here at Westfield? In my opinion there are no channels legal or otherwise, that haven ' t been tried by fac- ulty and students. If the present administration stays in pow- er do you believe that it is possible for equal governance to exist? Can human nature forgive and forget the deep wounds existing today? The Board seemed to have two chances — to secure a new president or force him to accept a sys- tem of joint governance. Although the sys- tem of joint governance can work, it does not dispel the heavy curtain of distrust cov- ering the campus. The obvious decision should have been new leadership selected by a screening committee of administration, faculty, and students to set the stage for a healthy revitalization of the campus community. If you were to describe the ideal college climate (atmosphere), what would it be? My description of an ideal college climate would be an atmosphere of happy, friendly and trustful cooperation dedicated to the all around development of the student body. This would include academic, cultural, social and physical development with no undue emphasis on any single aspect. It must be understood that value systems and moral standards cannot and should not be imposed. My ideal college would have no need for pickets or demonstrations because Adminis- tration would anticipate and resolve prob- lems before they became major issues. More time would be devoted to the campus and less to outside activities. It is a sad commentary that a college cam- pus espousing democratic ideals and search for truth must resort to conflict to meet these objectives. Westfield State College could become that college . . .

Page 24 text:

Dean Hiersche Do you believe that the current student unrest is justified? No, the current student unrest is not justi- fied. The president has agreed to co-operate with students and faculty. Students are hurt- ing students in general with their present uncooperative attitude. If the present administration stays in pow- er, do you believe that it is possible for equal governance to exist? All members of the administration are willing and able to comply with the dictates of the Board of Trustees. Equal governance is now a requirement. In view of unresolved problems, what do you believe will be the next step? The next step must be made by the stu- dents and faculty in recognizing the presi- dent and agreeing to work with him for joint governance. Do you believe that the current student unrest is justified? Student unrest is always justified by some and rejected by others. This has a ways 6een so and always will be so. If the present administration stays in pow- er, do you believe that it is possible for equal governance to exist? Regardless of the administration gover- nance can never be equal. Participant — but not equal! Dean Townsend