Comics perform Phi Theta finds support by Jim Evans Contributing Writer Over the past several months preliminary effort has been tak­ ing place to form a chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity on campus. Just prior to the end of fall term, a mailing list was compiled and earlier this month letters were sent to over 500 students inviting them to attend a meeting to gage student in­ terest in such a group. At least 60 people showed up and the response was favorable. Dave Arter of the science department, is acting as initial faculty ad­ visor. As stated in the biannual­ annual publication of the organization, “Phi Theta Kap­ pa is an organization which ex­ ists to recognize and encourage scholarship, leadership, and ser­ vice among the students in two- year colleges in America.” To be eligible for membership, students must have earned at least 12 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and they must be enrolled either full or part time. The list of students who receiv­ ed invitations to the informa­ tional meeting was put together before the end of fall term, con­ sequently any new students who have achieved the minimum re­ quirements during that term, but did not receive a letter are encouraged to attend the next meeting. It will be held tomor­ row, Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in P101. The purpose of the meeting last week was to determine if there was sufficient interest among students to be worth the effort of forming a new organization. The discussion was lively as those attending ex­ pressed enough interest to merit another meeting. The other major topic discussed was what kind of ac­ tivities such a service organiza- tion might get involved with. One suggestion was to sponsor something like the Phi Theta Kappa Lecture Series. Another was to work on some kind of fund raising to establish a fund for emergency loans to students. Most of the people at­ tending expressed favorable reactions to the things they heard and said they would be at the next meeting. Students with questions can contact Dave Arter at ext. 210. Membership is recognized by both four-year schools and private businesses. Some univer­ sities even offer tuition scholar­ ships exclusively to members. The national office sponsors the Honors Study Topic every year. This is an opportunity for students to get involv^l in special research projects. The topic for this year is titled: The U.S. Con­ stitution: Assuring Continuity Through Controversy. Ellis transfers to business center by E.A. Berg Co-News Editor Ed Newcomer—one of the “Newcomer Brothers,” a com­ ic duo, performs for Clackamas students in the Communi­ ty Center on Jan. 13. See page six for related story. Clackamas speech team places first by Heleen Veenstra Editor The Clackamas Community College Speech Team placed first in Sweepstakes in the Centennial Classic Speech Tournament, hosted by University of Puget Sound (UPS) and Pacific Lutheran (PLU). Trish Conrad, one of the nine speech team members who went to the tournament, was a finalist in junior extemp and the second speaker in junior debate. Rich Burroughs placed sixth in junior debate. Conrad and Burroughs took third place as a team in the junior debate. The CCCteam was represented by nine people: Brett Branch, Eric Nordhagen, Cindy Kime, Angie Doody, Pamel McConnell, David Gloden, Conrad, and Bur­ roughs. Bob Ellis, Assistant Dean for Off Campus Instruction, was reassigned to the position as Director of the College’s Business Center of Clackamas County Jan. 4. Ellis requested the transfer in mid-December. This is the second reassignment Ellis has had in three years. Prior to 1985, when the College went from a five to three dean organization, he serv­ ed as Dean of Community Education. “As you approach the end of your career, towards retirement, those years ought to be spent do­ ing the things you like to do the best, and the things you do best,” said Ellis. “The years that I’ve enjoyed the most at the College were my early years at the College when I had hands on responsibili­ ty with people or students, dients, and the program. As I moved within the institution, as far as the administration is con­ cerned, I kind of found that I evolved out of that.” However, Ellis did not deny that friction within the College administration led to his decision to request the transfer. “There’s always been a degree of con­ troversy in everything I’ve done at the institution simply because I’ve always dealt with non- traditional programs,” he said. “I’ve been in that chair for 15' years,” said Ellis, who stated that the change is good for both himself and the College. “In any high level of management it’s healthy to get someone who can get some different things and progress.” Dean of Instruction Lyle Reese, Ellis’s former immediate supervisor, would not comment on the reason for the transfer other than saying, “All I have to say is Bob Ellis requested the transfer, and it was approved.” Reese said that his office will handle Ellis’s former respon­ sibilities until a replacement is found. “I’m very convinced that we will have qualified applicants from within (the College),” he said. College President John Keyser said that he was not aware of ma­ jor personal conflicts between Reese and Ellis that might have led to the transfer request. “I don’t think that was the major reason. I think he (Ellis) and Lyle got along quite well,” he said. Keyser added, “I’ve always had a lot of respect for Bob’s ideas and the kind of things he’s done for the organization. He’s done a lot.” photo« by ttoMI KMn Bob Ellis—takes charge of business center at Clackamas.