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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1987)
C°nt'nue<* from Page 1 Baker was instrumental in coor dinating this year's accredita tion team. The evaluation team's report devoted considerable space to flaws found in the University library and criticized it "for having far too few staff members,” and far too little space. Baker noted the 1985-86 Legislature had authorized money to "go ahead with preliminary planning” for con structing a new library, such as submission of schematic designs and hiring architects. deemed salaries far too low. stating "the faculty is seriously underpaid.” The team warned the State of Oregon "not to presume too long on the ability of the plea sant life-style in the Eugene area to bring and keep faculty of this stature at the University of Oregon. "The lack of funding not only puts faculty quality at risk, it directly hampers teaching because the institution cannot purchase, maintain and service the necessary instrumentation for undergraduate education." ‘I understand faculty salaries will be a number one priority of the State System’s in the ’89-’91 biennium, and the governor has expressed interest in this issue as well.* — Alison Baker According to Baker, the Legislature recommended the next governing body put library construction at the University on first priority. Despite the team's criticism, Baker remain ed optimistic the library will Ire built when the 19B9-91 Legislature convenes. "If the economy of Oregon can bear capital expenditures when the next Legislature meets, then the library will like ly be funded," Baker said, ad ding she believes the University will have a new library within four to six years. The report further criticized the library' as being understaff ed. Yet despite her optimism a new library will be constructed. Baker doubted whether more staff would be necessary. "It's quite possible that a larger and more efficient building could be run with the same number of staff we cur rently have They are already doing computer automation at the current library, and theoretically those things are supposed to save time and ef fort," she said. Another point of contention found in the report dealt with faculty salaries — an issue Olum echoed in an address to the University Assembly early this month. This year’s review the report added The status of faculty salaries remains similar to the plight of funding for the new library — the University's hands are tied on this issue until the next Legislature reconvenes. "1 understand faculty salaries will be a number one priority of the State System's in the '89-'91 biennium, and the governor has expressed interest in this issue as well," Baker stated. Throughout the report, the evaluation team condemned what it viewed as an excessive use of CTFs for instructional use. particularly in the Humanities, Mathematics and College of Human Development departments. Baker deemed this as a Catch-22 situation, however. “To some extent it’s a good idea to have CTFs teaching courses, because most of those graduate students are going to go on to become professors themselves, and to have part of their educa tion being the teaching of college-level work is important for them." Yet in the same breath. Baker said. "But the thing is it is im portant at the University that students do have the opportuni ty to see regular faculty in their classes in their first and second years at the University." Baker said the University was in a constant “balancing act" of trying to get the best possible instruction for students given the financial resources it has She also added using GTFs and non-faculty instructors was more economical than using regular faculty Nonetheless, she did see a need to hire more full-time faculty and believed GTFs were over used in certain areas, par ticularly in the first-year foreign language departments The evaluation team also faulted the University for lack ing h a n d i c a p - a c c e s s i b I e buildings This point will be moot within the next few years, however, for the State Board of Higher Education recently ap proved funds for making many campus buildings accessible to the mobilty-impaired. The University similarly fell from favor in the eyes of the evaluation team for lacking a computerized registration pro cess and for not implementing a mandatory faculty advising policy. Baker explained the Universi ty continues using an archaic, arena-style registration process because the State Board is con sidering adopting an in tegrated, state-wide com puterized registration system. Until that decision is handed down, the University remains unable to Implement its own automated system. Baker said “Once that question whether we'll have a centralized facility or whether institutions can go off on their own is solved, I'm sure there'll be some activity on the registration scene," Baker explained. However, the University is not so accommodating regar ding faculty advising "The idea is that if students want advising, they'll get advis ing so we have put some burden on students to seek ad vice when they want it," Baker said. "Some people have criticized the institution for doing that Many universities have re quired advising sessions, so that you can't even get into registration unless you've seen an adviser and gotten a signature — this university has circuit'd not to do that." Baker added. Despite room for improve ment, the evaluation team did award the University some high marks. The committee acknowledg ed the "hospitality" and the "generous contribution of time on the part of the University" faculty staff, students and ad minisiration in accommodating the evaluation team. In addition, the team was "universally impressed with the vigorous intellectual climate" of the University. On a more substantive level, the review squad was impressed by the way the University adapted to financial hardships the campus faced during the early 1980s. It equally was impressed with Student Services, and found them "to be well-administered, exhibited excellent morale and demonstrated highly effective communications." Kudos also went to ad ministration efforts to recruit minority and disadvantaged students. When asked what grade the University deserved in light of the accreditation report, baker gave the campus a "B-plus." "Then* art! some things we don't do as well as other institu tions, but there are many more things we do better than most institutions we're an awfully good school," baker said • Hindinq • Thesis • l .munation *Keduc lion •I nl<tiqemenl ‘Self Servue ( • Kesumes ‘Sell Semi e Viord Prm essmq 860 I 13th Av«* 344 7894 ^7 ^7 w \7 vy w \y \y vy vy \y vy v_ University Neighborhood Dentist Gentle care for students for 15 years Student Discount Available J. Scott Baxter, D.M.D., P.C. Complete Dental Service • Fillings • Root Canals • Nitrous Oxide • TVs • VCR's • Cosmetic Bonding 622 E. 22nd Ave. Building F ^ A A rO’7 1 (corner of Patterson Z> 22nd) / 1 TNI ¥AM MM By GARY LARSON ■BSraWMWIWIIIIl ■ Feb. 22. 1946: Botanists create the first artificial flower. RESTAURANT GIANT SLICE of PIZZA with one topping to go or stay! f 0* $15° Dancing and Music every Wed., Fri., and Sat. Night 13th & Alder on Campus
