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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 1974)
The Environmental Studies Center: Jwhether we should be or want to be' By DAVE LUDWIG Of the Emerald The Environmental Studies Center. Take two. The script has not changed. The survival or the extinction of the Environmental Studies Center (ESC) was "iffy" last year, and again this year, the script calls for similar and unfortunate uncertainty and in security. Its survival, in effect, hangs on the delineation of priorities the University, the State Board of Higher Education, the legislature and the governor will set forth. The ESC, established three and one-half years ago as a non-political center for environmental education and information, is placed under the Graudate School and is funded by the University. The Survival Center, its political counterpart, is student funded. Last year, the funding proposal of $13,000 included money to keep the center running with a phone, a graduate teaching fellow to coor dinate teaching activities, student wages for clerical work, taculty work release time so the ESC would have a faculty advisor for 0.5 FTE (full time equivalent) and for services and supplies. In addition to this submitted budget proposal, the administration included the ESC in its "program improvements" category for 1975-76. The administration, however, continued the ongoing allocation of $1,976 for 20 per cent of the wages of two work study students, for supplies, for rent and for a telephone. Aaron Novick, dean of the Graduate School, has recommended that the administration again act on last year's funding proposal for 1975-76, asking for secretarial help and for 0.5 FTE. He said that he will also recommend that the administration place the ESC under the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Architecture and Allied Arts. This 1975-76 budget proposal must not only gain the approval of the administration, but of the State Board of Higher Education, of the legislature and of the governor as well. President Robert Clark said that he is "really very much in favor of the center," but added that he needs to get a clear picture of the Univer sity's finances, because the budget is very tight. Photo by Richard Iwasak Vicki Carter "The only way to fund it is to limit in struction in other areas." He hopes, however, to put some funds in the ESC because it is "a high enough priority." Clark also said that he did not see any reason why the University would cut the ESC from its budget. He hopes, more over, to in crease the allocation. He con tinued, saying that this is an area that every liberally edu cated individual would want to see in the University s cumculum. As far as placing the ESC under the School of Liberal Arts or the School of Architecture and Allied Arts, Clark said that "it depends on how it is used." If the ESC is wanted more for undergraduate in struction and information, he would support this move. The program's improvements category appears to be an uncertain possibility. The Finance Committee of the State Board of Higher Education has approved 16 program improvements. Item 11 is "Staff Restorations" in which the Finance Committee approved $2,058,485 in funds for the University to permit the restoration of student-teacher staffing patterns that would provide one faculty member for 21 lower division students, for 16 upper division students, for 14 "first-level" graduate students and for 7 "seconcl-level" graduate students. This is approximately the 1970-71 relationship. The full state board must still approve these recommendations. I ne prouiems ikj, nuwovoi, m ura mvi u— -... the governor must also approve these program improvements. And, in fact, it seems very unlikely that the legislature will approve any of the recommendations past Item Four. Clark, himself, said the possibility that the legislature would approve all the program improvements "is very limited" but cautioned that I can't be sure yet.'' If the legislature was to approve Item 11, calling for the restoration of staff Clark said the ESC would be an immediate beneficiary, allowing for a 0.5 FTE person. According to Vicki Carter, coordinator of the ESC, it is the feeling of the volunteer staff that this environmental center is "quietly slipping away." Outside support and support from the faculty is dwindling, and the ESC suffers from the University placing it under the Graduate School. "Where we should be or want to be is the real question," em phasized Peter Thurston, an ESC volunteer. Carter said that the best place for the ESC was to be under more than one school to emphasize, to initiate and to coor dinate environmental studies as an interdisciplinary activity. The coordinator suggested the Schools of Liberal Arts, Architecture and Allied Arts and of Community Service and Public Affairs as possible combinations. Carter felt that it would encourage the attempt to fill gaps and to coordinate activities between departments and schools. The coordinator for the ESC said despite no funding increases, the ESC has expanded it activities to include not only activities related to environmental education and research, but a carpool system, in formation about employment opportunities in en vironmentally-related areas, environmental events such as meetings and films and guides to University environmental 'urriculum. In addition to expanding its activities, explained Vic Aafaltor, another ESC volunteer, the ESC is "working on more profound and personal ways of getting information to people." The ESC has done this with a distinct lack of funds and an incredible amount of volunteer time. Carter said, moreover, "We need a whole change of priorities in values at this University. We can keep getting by and existing. But we see it as much more important." At the moment, she said, environmental funds are channelled to the Environmental Research Center in Corvallis, which is mainly science oriented. "We're saying that environmental studies covers all disciplines, not just science," she said. "Corvallis just will not fit the needs of Eugene," added Aalfalter. "We are really behind other universities." If enough funds were allocated to the center. Carter said that the potential for new areas of en vironmental activity would spring forth. She said they could design a curriculum model, leading to an interdisciplinary degree in en vironmental studies. In fact, the whole area of en vironmental education would suddenly emerge. The center could implement and coordinate com munication and activities between the community and the campus, bring in speakers and films and coordinate symposiums and panels. They could also be a focal point for environmental research, environmental job opportunities, initiate outdoor programs and train elementary teachers environmentally. As Carter explained, the center could provide "a place for communication," and a gathering place for environmental interaction between the community and the campus. PUBLIC NOTICE ... To University of Oregon Students Nov. 2,1974, fire damaged the Fredrick’s Clothing Store and Claypools’ Drug Store. Damage was quite extensive to the inventory and buildings of both stores. Therefore, the entire stock of both stores is preser'iy being liquidated in the shortest possible time. We invite you to take advantage of this slightly damaged brand name merchandise — at greatly reduced prices. The Grand Opening of the all-new Claypool’s Drug and Fredrick’s Fashions will be in late December. Con tractors are currently at work in both stores, repairing the building. The owners of both stores are now purchasing a complete new stock. We will attempt to increase selec tions and develope even better services for our custom ers. Thank you for your patience, 0?necUrUc6& (?(tutfxuU<y ‘DtufyS'
