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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1969-07-10, Page 11THE . BLUE -THUMB BY 3. MacLEOD ROSS Last week's effort was _▪ concerned with something of the hawkish view on student mobs. This week we turn to an examination of two legitimate criticisms , of the organisation and administration of certain universities. In some degree many university administrations appear in the guise of , the "Naked Emperor"; the only man in his realm who did not know he was. -naked. Such administrations have been coerced into making concessions dictated by the student body and have thus lost both face and the initiative. However, taking a broad view of all the manifold "demands," it does seem that two at least are justifiable. The first is student representation on senate and governing board. This demand has appeared to ' " some administrations as surrender. In point of fact it should have been initiated, in which case the administration would not have had to go half way and pretend that it welcomed the suggestion. What could be more valuable from -the point of view of a sincere Board and faculty than to have available to them representatives of the lower chelons, able to communicate the feelings of: those they represented? How better to take the pulse? Fortunately many administrations have recognised this as an advantag8, rather than a loss of dignity. A 3 4 1 1 * The next „"dernalid" which appears reasonable, covers an age-old source of dissatisfaction amongst students, It is that some faculty menibers are incapable of teaching. It occurred 50 years ago at Liverpool University, where two professors, W, and Billy M.,. both spokeln parables; Annoyance was such that a deputation ',laid their complaint before the, Dean,. ,after which "alterations" were •made? Still more recently, at what was then known as Illinois Institute .of Technology, students would seek but those courses taught by professors with established reputations as good teachers. For more especially when you are payingfor your ed0c,ation. you resent spending time listening to the waffling of a man who appears incapable of highlighting the facts which matter ' most in his subject. Perhaps this is more exaggerated in the precise sciences. • As a corollary to this latter situation, there arises the matter of research. It has been argued, with truth, that some professors become so involved in researching their pet problems, that they do not have either the time or the inclination to teach effectively. Students become a bore and the barrier is never breached. This is a trap into which far too . many universities have become ensnared. Again another example of good administrative commonsense is to be:found in County turns down. Huronview development BY SHIRLEY J. A $20,000 park development plan for land at Huronview was put forth by Huron County Council's development committee last Friday; but failed to get the full endorsernent of council. • The committee, whose chairman this year is Roy V. Pattison of West Wawanosh Township, suggested that University of Guelph students interview ..Huronview residents, and staff and prepare a park plan according to the needs of the home for the aged. But Wingham's reeve, Jack . Alexander, was opposed to such a large expenditure and reminded Council that "we're trying to save money now." Reeve Borden Cook of Blyth. concurred, saying he was in favor of a park area with a few picnic tables, some swings and maybe a drinking fountain — something that could be built by - KELLER the, county without great expense or trouble. • Warden James Hayter said a plan is definitely needed "so we know where we're going." . Chairman .Pattison said the county already has a large investment Ot Huronview,and he thought `,`another few thousand dollars would be money well spent." Alex McGregor, Tuckersmith, also a member of the committee, stressed the fact that the project would ,be accomplished over 10 years. He said, he understood it was „the duty. of the county development committee to see that some development was made for the future. • Exeter Reeve Derry Boyle said such a plan was "beyond our means" but he did suggest that'a few trees be planted each year. on the site. The matter was referred back to committee fOrinore'study. . Administrator appointed for Huronview Chester A. Archibald, a native bf Seaforth and currently treasurer of 'the "City of Brantford, has been appointed 4 to succeed Harvey C. Johnston, who retired October 31, as administrator of Huronview, the .county's home for the aged; situated near Clinton. Salary for the post was reported at $10,000 a year. The • appointment is effective Sept. 1. Announcement of the appointment, was made at last Friday's county council meeting during which Mr. Johnston was .given his 15 -year pin. Mr. Johnston, will be retained in an advisory capacity from Sept. 1 • A • • to October 31. His salary will be continued until Dec. 31, but he will have to vacate his apartment at the home by October 15. ecause the government no 'longer allows an administrator to live in a county home, another use will be found for the apartment. Mr. Johnston has been at Huronview since August 1954. He said that when he came there were 66 residents and a staff of 18 who,earned about $2,000 among them each month. Today there are 279 residents, a staff of 150 and the monthly payroll is about_ $32,00Q. - r to • 'aked Emp such arrangements as existed at Illinois Institute. Here there was a separate Research Foundation, on the same campus but with its own *staff and budget; the latter. for the most Part being paid by contracts with, industry and government.' This arrangement immediately cut the ground from under those protesters who trumped up their dislike for their school undertaking military research. Among the senior researchers were several who realised that teaching a class was an invaluable experience•and so, by' arrangement, they were permitted tb teaeh 'one course. The other half of the Institute the school proper, wasgiven over *holly, to teaching. The, professors were permitted toundertake consulting work out of school ,hours, but any initiation ..of "research was tab.. This was easy to control, since no funds were allotted to their budgets, such as might be required for equipment Or even as a loan. Any faculty member who desired to spend his time on research had .to join the Research' Foundation, or seek employment elsewhere. This strict division between research and teaching proved. most satisfactory,/ and while information is not good, no instances of mob rule have been. communicated from the Institute. This division did not preclude the...research staff from consulting such of the teaching staff. as were acknowledged experts in their particular field, though the line of communication seldom ran in the opposite direction. In mentioning these two schools of Liverpool and Illinois Tech. it must be admitted that they were private ventures . to which students had to pay fees. By such means they automatically escaped the annual lemminglike crisis which engulfs the . average university with an embarrassment of students applying for.enrolment. Several authorities have arisen to justify those, financed by a benign government in the attempt to achieve a• one hundred per cent standard of education, and who join the mob to agitate, by saying they are the most intelligent ones. They may be intelligent but this does not mean they are intellectual. The intellectual defends his • opinions with reasoned argument; he gives opponents a hearing, believing ANNUAL • HOLIDAY CLOSING MONTH OF JULY Hutchinson Radio -- TV -- Appliances 308 Huron Rd. ' 524-7831 4 the truth is arrived at by discussion. He submits to constituted authbrity, even when he dislikes its representatives and thinks many of their decisions are mistaken. He does this knowing that law -and order are not a threat to civilised values but rather their foundation. He accepts •the consequences for himself,in loss as well as in gain:If he feels he is wasting time he earl quit and go elsewhere.. The student who accepts endowments from his univeRity; takes. a grant from his local • government and then proceeds 'ta reject society, is at war with .it. He -prefers the bogus discipline of sociology, or •sorne such . subject "as makes the maaimal demands on learning, scholarship and industry — especially industry.' 'Such as these -ddvelop an awareness of their sheer numbers; to shared. tastes in dress, music and speech and to the media which accords them the attention given to' 'newsmakers.' Like many 'newsmakers' they have learned the arts of self -promotion. Thus, whilst it is accepted that those who were "Naked Emperors" have been shaken by recent rebellions, nevertheless, if they can identify their shortcomings which deserve to be corrected — not instantly, for that would be unreasonable; but as soon as feasible, it could be an ill wind which blew some of them some good. Dr. D. T. Wright, • the chairman- of the Ontario • GARDEN RFEUSIE, BRUSH ETC: • PICK-UP MONDAY, 'JULY 14th Material may be put out up to 24 hours before July 14th. Some residents havibeen in the habit of putting brush and garden' refuse on the boulevards at any time. Commencing at once owners will be charged under the Town By -Law. • 0, Material on the boulevard by 8:00 a.m: on Monday, July 14th, " across the entire town, will be picked up. - TOWN OF QODER ICH • 4. ors' �f education Committee on , universities recently gave some figures which serve to put student rebellion in its proper perSpective. A few are repeated here: * Canadian inves• tment in education has increased 3;000 per cent since 1940. *. Six million out of 21 ' million Canadians are involved in, the educational procestp.„ — a 'mere', 28.6 • per cent of " our Arople. • ' Full time students in 1969/70 will number 162,000. * Operating grants have now reached $345 million. • *, Capital grants are at $171 million. * Individual grants and loans to students amount to $17 million. These are enjoyed by 40 per cent of the students. * In 1968 Ontario had 3,704 tudents registered for Ph.D.'s. * The whole of Canada has perhaps 8,000 Ph.D.'s. * 6,000 Canadians are as bright as the average Ph.D. , * It costs Ontario- at least $50,000 to produce one Ph.D. • Wot4dn't you RATHER have a plumber? 7th ANNUAL G. EL 01.11111111112' MEM DAL • TH__., 17;18,19 •” C KS,„J\1 Aimatamemeammormee C Nan= N. _ A 0011111M.1 0011000110 R al• . , GOIWRICti SIONA.14,STAft, TuuttpaAx., Juvsi.k1.0.14,961,r you le nds u you want it,,! The safest way to ensurethat your. heirs will everything you intend for each of them is to appoint,. Victoria and Grey Trust to. administer your estate. VG The :senior Trmt.Company devoted entirely to .serring 'the people o/ Ontario. TICTORMandGREY TRUST COMPANY SINCE 1889 W. R. Curry, Manager 524-7381 Elgin and Kingston Streets, Goderich Royal Crown or Diet. lite SOFT-DRINK4ssed) Facelle Royale (asst'd colours) (2 roll pkg.) 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