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,
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