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Virginia's Last Independent College Newspaper VOLUME LXXI Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, April 10,1981 NUMBER 23 The QuaUty Of Education At VMI Mr. Greet byJohiiHirtz VMI, built on the three pillars of academic excellence, physical prowess, and military bearing, has been highly respected for most of its 141 year history. Recently, however, questions have arisen concerning the strength of academic standards at the In-stitute. This year's fourth class, one of the most statistically pro-mising classes in recent years, turned in surprisingly low grade point averages for the first semester. Also, an abnor-mally high percentage of upper classmen seem to be struggling academically during the 1980-81 term. This has prompted the VMI Cbdet to question members of the faculty concer-ing the present academic stan-dards of the Institute. We have Col. Lancaster Maj. Duncan Col. Weing Col. Knapp discovered widely varying views of the VMI education among faculty members in dif-ferent curri(^ums. All those questioned, however, to some degree expressed a realization of certain problems facing VMI as well as other colleges across the nation. Mr. T. Y. Greet, an English professor here for 17 years, ex-pressed dissatisfaction with the role of the faculty in policy making at VMI. "One of the most useful methods of enhanc-ing the intellectual and academic atmosphere would be to provide the general faculty meaningful opportunities to participate in tl^ shaping of the Institute policy." He went on to add that lack of such oppor-tunities has contributed to what he perceives as poor faculty morale in the liberal arts cur-riculums. A number of other professors seemed to concur with this view. However, by far the most common explanation of poor student perfognances is the decreasing quality of secondary education nationwide. Most of the faculty members interview-ed cited falling SAT scores na-tionwide as evidence that the quality of the entering college student has dropped. Some pro-fessors. notably^Col. Knapp, did not particularly agree that a lower SAT score means a lower student potential, but all acknowledged that present high school study habits are inade-quate. Col. Knapp and Col. Sculley were extremely enthusiastic about both the quality of the engineering curricula and the dedication of engineering pro-fessors. Both men felt that in an ever more difficult field of study, VMI has done very well in preparing students. Col. Sculley felt that those who fail in the Civil Engineering cir-riculum more often do so because they are not willing to work, not b^ause of a lack of ability or a deficient program. In the foreign language department, Col. Lancaster ex-pressed some dismay at the preparation of high school graduates for college level work. "Of course when we have to spend a large amount of time teaching our students basic English, we neglect language studies." Col. Weing felt that the increased availability of col- Col. Sculley has resulted in many more poor quality students attending in-stitutes of higher learning, thereby lowering the standards for everyone. Maj. Duncan seemed to feel that the quality of education in America may have fallen, but that VMI has not been forced to lower its standards nearly as much as other schools have. He added that the cadet life can often improve one's study habits. Other professors agreed with this view, saying that once a cadet develops a drive to study, he usually does well. FURTHER COMMENTS T. Y. Greet (Professor in Eng. Dept. for 17 years) "When I came here I didn't continued on page 7 The Black Faculty Issue Placement Program by Chris Caplice VMI is the only state-supported college in Virginia, that doesn't have blacks on the faculty or admiinistration staff. Why is this? After further thought a more pressing ques-tion arises. Is there a need for blacks or a member of any other minorities to hold posi-tions on the VMI faculty. To, ^this j quj^tion of neQd, twajiriews his 1 ^ _ are th^^ersifj^ ^fmopg^ the faculty, the**flewt'-'m a role model for black cadets to follow and seek help for black-related problems, and cultural awareness for the whole Corps. He summed up his views on cultural awareness by stating, "To know anything about yourself, you must know about others, we (blacks) are the others." The Administration more or less echoes the black cadet's views, though on a much more subdued level. The Dean of Faculty, General James Morgan would be, in his own words, "very happy to have (blacks on the faculty)." Colonel Allan Carlsson, Registrar, believes that blacks on the faculty is a good idea, especially as a role model. Lt. Gen. Irby refused to issue any statements saying that he would decline comments until after this reporter discussed the issue with Brig. Gen. Morgan. One may then ask, why, if both parties desire the same ob-jective, that the objective can-not be reached. The reason comes down to priorities. While the Administration may desire to have blacks on the faculty, their priorities in hiring are not based on racial goals but rather on the qualifications of the ap-plicants. Race has no role. The process by which VMI hires new faculty members is decided by each separate department in response to that department's personal needs. If, for instance, a department wished to hire a professor for a specific course, their selection would be focused on those qualified for the position in question. Then, by advertising nationally and in the state through respective professional journals and chronicles and in graduate schools for students with the disciplines, the depart-ment will be able to select the person most qualified for that specific position. Goals are not taken into considera-tion. This trend leaves VMI without black faculty and no ap-parent time in the near future that will bring J[)lack faculty to the Institute. VMI's placement program is being greatly expanded, thanks to the efforts of LTC. Royce Jones, the Director of Cadet Affairs. The placement plan is directed towards both cadets and alumni; a main point stressed by Jones is that one shouldn't wait until the last minute before he starts con-sidering employment oppor-tunities. There are several programs aimed at cadets, including seminars and manuals. For the Rats, there is the study seminar held each fall and for all of the classes there is the Career Fair. The purpose of it is to get in-dividuals to start thinking about the future. This will allow the Rats and Thirds to get an idea of what their selected field and other career choices are about while they still have the option to switch majors if they are disenchanted with their present choice. The second and first classmen get an opportunity to (continued on page 8) Wilson Recieves Stipend by Robert Hooper Maj. Paul C. Wilson, pro-fessor of English, has recently received a Summer stipend from The National Endowment for the Humanities. This grant will allow him to spend approx-imately two months this sum-mer working on a book dealing with the invention and innova- > tion of the sewing machine. This book, as of yet untitled, will deal not only with the technological difficulties of the invention but also will look at the economic and socialistic problems. Maj. Wilson, who has spent the past 3 years researching this book, hopes to put the finishing touches on the book this sum-mer.
Object Description
Repository | Virginia Military Institute Archives |
Collection | VMI Cadet Newspaper |
Title | VMI Cadet. April 10, 1981 |
Issue Date | 1981-04-10 |
Volume/Number | Volume 71, number 23 |
Publisher | Virginia Military Institute |
Publication History | The Cadet (originally the Keydet), VMI's student newspaper, began weekly publication in the fall of 1907. Not published 1943-44, 1944-45, 1945-46 |
Frequency | Weekly during academic year, except during examinations and vacations |
Subject |
Virginia Military Institute -- Publications. Virginia Military Institute -- Cadet life. College student newspapers and periodicals -- Virginia -- Lexington. |
Digital Publisher | Virginia Military Institute Archives |
VMI Archives Records Group | Publications |
Rights | Materials in the VMI Archives Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use and may be used for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. Acknowledgement of the Virginia Military Institute Archives Digital Collections is required. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information. |
Type | text |
Format | application/pdf |
Description
Title | Page 1 |
Issue Date | 1981-04-10 |
Full Text Search | Virginia's Last Independent College Newspaper VOLUME LXXI Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, April 10,1981 NUMBER 23 The QuaUty Of Education At VMI Mr. Greet byJohiiHirtz VMI, built on the three pillars of academic excellence, physical prowess, and military bearing, has been highly respected for most of its 141 year history. Recently, however, questions have arisen concerning the strength of academic standards at the In-stitute. This year's fourth class, one of the most statistically pro-mising classes in recent years, turned in surprisingly low grade point averages for the first semester. Also, an abnor-mally high percentage of upper classmen seem to be struggling academically during the 1980-81 term. This has prompted the VMI Cbdet to question members of the faculty concer-ing the present academic stan-dards of the Institute. We have Col. Lancaster Maj. Duncan Col. Weing Col. Knapp discovered widely varying views of the VMI education among faculty members in dif-ferent curri(^ums. All those questioned, however, to some degree expressed a realization of certain problems facing VMI as well as other colleges across the nation. Mr. T. Y. Greet, an English professor here for 17 years, ex-pressed dissatisfaction with the role of the faculty in policy making at VMI. "One of the most useful methods of enhanc-ing the intellectual and academic atmosphere would be to provide the general faculty meaningful opportunities to participate in tl^ shaping of the Institute policy." He went on to add that lack of such oppor-tunities has contributed to what he perceives as poor faculty morale in the liberal arts cur-riculums. A number of other professors seemed to concur with this view. However, by far the most common explanation of poor student perfognances is the decreasing quality of secondary education nationwide. Most of the faculty members interview-ed cited falling SAT scores na-tionwide as evidence that the quality of the entering college student has dropped. Some pro-fessors. notably^Col. Knapp, did not particularly agree that a lower SAT score means a lower student potential, but all acknowledged that present high school study habits are inade-quate. Col. Knapp and Col. Sculley were extremely enthusiastic about both the quality of the engineering curricula and the dedication of engineering pro-fessors. Both men felt that in an ever more difficult field of study, VMI has done very well in preparing students. Col. Sculley felt that those who fail in the Civil Engineering cir-riculum more often do so because they are not willing to work, not b^ause of a lack of ability or a deficient program. In the foreign language department, Col. Lancaster ex-pressed some dismay at the preparation of high school graduates for college level work. "Of course when we have to spend a large amount of time teaching our students basic English, we neglect language studies." Col. Weing felt that the increased availability of col- Col. Sculley has resulted in many more poor quality students attending in-stitutes of higher learning, thereby lowering the standards for everyone. Maj. Duncan seemed to feel that the quality of education in America may have fallen, but that VMI has not been forced to lower its standards nearly as much as other schools have. He added that the cadet life can often improve one's study habits. Other professors agreed with this view, saying that once a cadet develops a drive to study, he usually does well. FURTHER COMMENTS T. Y. Greet (Professor in Eng. Dept. for 17 years) "When I came here I didn't continued on page 7 The Black Faculty Issue Placement Program by Chris Caplice VMI is the only state-supported college in Virginia, that doesn't have blacks on the faculty or admiinistration staff. Why is this? After further thought a more pressing ques-tion arises. Is there a need for blacks or a member of any other minorities to hold posi-tions on the VMI faculty. To, ^this j quj^tion of neQd, twajiriews his 1 ^ _ are th^^ersifj^ ^fmopg^ the faculty, the**flewt'-'m a role model for black cadets to follow and seek help for black-related problems, and cultural awareness for the whole Corps. He summed up his views on cultural awareness by stating, "To know anything about yourself, you must know about others, we (blacks) are the others." The Administration more or less echoes the black cadet's views, though on a much more subdued level. The Dean of Faculty, General James Morgan would be, in his own words, "very happy to have (blacks on the faculty)." Colonel Allan Carlsson, Registrar, believes that blacks on the faculty is a good idea, especially as a role model. Lt. Gen. Irby refused to issue any statements saying that he would decline comments until after this reporter discussed the issue with Brig. Gen. Morgan. One may then ask, why, if both parties desire the same ob-jective, that the objective can-not be reached. The reason comes down to priorities. While the Administration may desire to have blacks on the faculty, their priorities in hiring are not based on racial goals but rather on the qualifications of the ap-plicants. Race has no role. The process by which VMI hires new faculty members is decided by each separate department in response to that department's personal needs. If, for instance, a department wished to hire a professor for a specific course, their selection would be focused on those qualified for the position in question. Then, by advertising nationally and in the state through respective professional journals and chronicles and in graduate schools for students with the disciplines, the depart-ment will be able to select the person most qualified for that specific position. Goals are not taken into considera-tion. This trend leaves VMI without black faculty and no ap-parent time in the near future that will bring J[)lack faculty to the Institute. VMI's placement program is being greatly expanded, thanks to the efforts of LTC. Royce Jones, the Director of Cadet Affairs. The placement plan is directed towards both cadets and alumni; a main point stressed by Jones is that one shouldn't wait until the last minute before he starts con-sidering employment oppor-tunities. There are several programs aimed at cadets, including seminars and manuals. For the Rats, there is the study seminar held each fall and for all of the classes there is the Career Fair. The purpose of it is to get in-dividuals to start thinking about the future. This will allow the Rats and Thirds to get an idea of what their selected field and other career choices are about while they still have the option to switch majors if they are disenchanted with their present choice. The second and first classmen get an opportunity to (continued on page 8) Wilson Recieves Stipend by Robert Hooper Maj. Paul C. Wilson, pro-fessor of English, has recently received a Summer stipend from The National Endowment for the Humanities. This grant will allow him to spend approx-imately two months this sum-mer working on a book dealing with the invention and innova- > tion of the sewing machine. This book, as of yet untitled, will deal not only with the technological difficulties of the invention but also will look at the economic and socialistic problems. Maj. Wilson, who has spent the past 3 years researching this book, hopes to put the finishing touches on the book this sum-mer. |