Westfield State University - Tekoa Yearbook (Westfield, MA)

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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

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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.

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Mr. Mazza Do you believe that the current student unrest is justified? No, the student unrest is not justified. It is hard to justify a refusal to negotiate, espe- cially in view of the fact that negotiations for governance has been a long-standing goal. Refusal to bargain merely delays the servic- ing of students ' real needs and desires. If the present administration stays in pow- er, do you believe that it is possible for equal governance to exist ? Governance must be the rule of law and not the rule of men. If a system depends on personality, and not on merit, it is of poor quality. Also, it is the process of achieving governance that is important and not the governance structure itself. The process that produces structure must also produce change. What is given externally can be tak- en away externally. What is earned from within is dearly protected. How would you describe the ideal college climate (atmosphere)? It centers around the quest for intellectual growth and greater social awareness. All in- dividuals must seek to grow in these areas. Since no-one has an absolute corner in the intellectual market, the sharing of ideas — based on experience, reading and re- search — is a major medium for this quest. General Statement To achieve the educational and develop- mental mission of this or any institution of higher education each segment of the col- lege community needs to be engaged in a continuing dialogue which occurs in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Responsible dissent is an honorable part of the American Heritage. This should never be denied. However, violence and threats of violence are sickening and hopeless ap- proaches to the resolution of human prob- lems. The stage has been set by changing times and circumstances for the develop- ment of sound governance structures and procedures which can be creative avenues by which concerns can be articulated and dealt with in a responsible manner. A system of checks and balances is necessary in hu- man society to insure that the rights of all are observed. Thus, there must be a rule of law, rather than of men. Every member of the college community needs to be working toward the development of sincere respect for the rule of law if stability and harmony are to be created so that the learning envi- ronment is to be meaningful and a sense of community becomes a reality. Mr. Kirk