1977-02-07; Central Michigan Life

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Volume 58 No. 53
Mt. Pleasant, Mich. 48?'59
Monday, February 7,1977
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In the University Center
Ballroom, Marilynn Hutchinson, Mt. Morris junior,
(left) is one of approximately
20 fashion models participating in the third annual
black fashion show sponsored
by the Organization for Black
Unity (OBU). The wardrobe for
the models was supplied by
various community clothing
stores. After the show, the
audience was treated, to many
varieties of soul food prepared
by a group of OBU members.
(LIFE photo by Brad Drewyor).
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College expenses affected
Bill may allow tax credits
by MOSTYN THAYER
CM LIFE Reporter
Students or their parents might be able to apply state income tax
credits to college expenses under a bill recently introduced in the
Michigan House of Representatives.
If passed, the credit could be used towards tuition, books and
school supplies for undergraduate studies or vocktional schools.
Credit-by-exam phased out
by CAROL DAMIOLI
CM LIFE Reporter
It's getting harder and harder
[these days to get college credit
{without going to college.
The trend in recent years has
[been away from granting credit
jby examination, especially the
jgeneral exams of the College
[Level Examination Program
l(CLEP).
Two years ago, Central
[granted full credit for all five of
the general exams - English
composition, Natural Science,
Mathematics, Humanities and
Social Science-History. Now full
credit is available only for the
Humanities and Social Science-
History exams.
Elimination of granting credit
for these exams began in
February 1975, when the
Academic Senate voted to
eliminate the granting of
English credit for passing the
Abel approves
|fee hike plan
A recommendation for University Health Services price increases has been approved by President Harold Abel and will be
taken to the Board of Trustees Feb. 16 for final approval, according
[to Dean of Students James Hill.
I The recommendation calls for an increase of no more than $1 from
the current $2 price of an office call and an increase in the price of an
after hours call from $3 to $5.
Hill made the recommendation to Abel based on a survey done by
Sxecutive Offices Assistant Deb Werner, who researched health
service prices at other Michigan colleges and universities and
sported her findings to the Student Association Board of Directors
Wednesday.
The Board approved Werner's recommendation and Student
3ody President Mike Fraser and Vice President Steve trudeau
hen presented Hill with the Board's approval of the recommended
lincrease.
I  "I think it is a reasonable increase from the standpoint of the
[[increase in medical costs" Hill said. "The study corresponds with
some of the things I found out and indicates there's justification for
in increase."
' Hill said, if approved by the Board of Trustees, the increased
lealth Service prices probably would go into effect Fall Semester.
'* "Every other institution in the state has higher prices than us,
|even with the recommendation. We're still below the average," Hill
lidded.
— tiroup discusses calendar change—page
3 * .■■-■'■'.
-Comedy play begins Wednesday-page
6
— Women   cagers   finish   last   in   tourney—paged
-Toledo upsets front-runner
Miami—page 10
English General Exam.
More recently, the Senate
voted Oct. 12 to eliminate credit
in mathematics for passing the
Mathematics General Exam, and
biology credit for passing the
Natural Sciences General Exam.
At the last Senate meeting of
1976, physics credit granted
through the Natural Sciences
General Exam also was
eliminated.
This means students passing
the Mathematics General exam
no longer will receive credit in
math. Students passing the
Natural Sciences General Exam
will not receive credit in biology
or physics.
Duane Goupell, testing and
research associte, said the
rationale for eliminating CLEP
credit is the tests are not
college-level work, so credit
should not be granted for it. He
said the tests are being
evaluated by the College Entrance Examination Board and
results of the study should be
ready in 1978.
Biology, Department Chairperson Lawrence Koehler saic(
the CLEP Natural Science
Exam contained only a few
biology questions. I
"The general exam covers
geology, astronomy and other
areas that are non-biological," he
said.
Because the test contained so
few biology questions,' Koehler
said the faculty objected to
having it used in place of Biology
101. He said, however, the
department is happy to have
credit in the Biology Subject
Exam of the CLEP program
count as Biology 101 credit.
Caiman Levich, Physics
Department chairperson, also
criticized the physics section of
the Natural Sciences exam.
"Faculty of this department'
have examined • the physical
science questions. They concluded that the test did not
examine a college level grasp of
quantitative physical science,"
Levich said.
Levich added the Physics
Department supports "the
development    of    adequate
examinations in every area so
that no student will ever have to
waste time or money in
meaningless repetition."
However, he said this particular
test requires extensive revision.
The Mathematics General
Exam "defeats the idea of adding to a student's knowledge,"
according to Douglas Smith,
associate • professor of
mathematics.
Smith-said the tests originally
were designed to test what non-
traditional students had learned
on their own. "It's not for high
school graduates to get college
credit," he said. -
The test was repeating high
school experience, and the
material   was   not   suited   for
(See "CLEP" page 8)
The bill has been referred to the House Taxation Committee
where discussion has centered on the revenue the state would lose if
it were passed. Estimates as much as $40 million would be lost in the
first year of the program have been discussed.
Tax credits of $100 for the 1978 tax year would be provided by the
bill, with subsequent increases of $50 per year, if it is passed.
The credit could be claimed either on students' tax returns or
those tof their parents if the students do not file returns. All
Michigan residents would be qualified to receive the benefits.
Rep*-Jackie-Vaughn-III, D-Detroit, and the bill's sponsor, said, "I
realize that this legislation would mean a loss of some tax revenue for
the state, but the loss would be far outweighed by the badly needed
relief it would provide for Michigan students and their parents."
Vaughn is the chairperson fo the House Committee on Colleges and
Universities.
Rep. George Montgomery, D-Detroit, warned skepticism would
greet any measures draining state revenues in what is supposed to
be a fiscal year with no tax hikes. Montgomery is chairperson of the
Taxation Committee.
Vaughn said he supports an increase in nuisance taxes on
cigarettes, beer and liquor to account for the lost revenue. The
increase only would affect these non-essential items, but any
general tax increase is sure to meet opposition, he said.
During a presentation of Gov. William G. Milliken's proposed.
1977-78 state budget two weeks ago, Budget Director Gerald Miller
said the governor is considering an increase in nuisance taxes- but
has not proposed a general tax increase.
The Taxation Committee has established a subcommittee to deal
with problems within the bill. Amorig the questions confronting it
are the eligibility of wealthy families and students attending out-of-
state schools and the size of the tax break to be offered.
"I recognize that inflation has had an impact on the operating
expenses of colleges, but those rising costs should not make them
inaccessible to the average student. By offering state income tax
credits we would at least be easing the financial burden of higher
education," Vaughn added.
Donations to University
increase during 1976-77
by BECKY HAAKSMA
CM LIFE Reporter
... Gifts to the University during the first six
•months of the 1976-77 fiscal year nearly equalled
• the amount given during the previous year, according to Dennis Vest, executive director for
University Development.
A record high is possible before the end of the
current fiscal year, Vest said.
For the six months ending Dec. 31, Vest
reported total gifts of $514,037^ compared to
$581,290 for the 1975-76 fiscal year.
The highest dollar amount in CMU's history,
$786,949, came during the 1974-75 fiscal year at
the height of a $1.5 million campaign which raised
money for specific projects including the building
of Perry Shorts Stadium.
The majority of gifts during the 1974-75 year,
according to Vest, were restricted, meaning the
money given was for use in designated areas. Half
the money donated this year has been
unrestricted, he said.
The total dollar amount of gifts to the
University, during any given fiscal year is
assessed by adding actual cash gifts to gifts-in-
kind.
Gifts-in-kind include donations.of goods and
services to CMU for which there is some cash
value. For example, this fall Vest said gifts-in-
kind included two condominiums on Torch Lake
and approximately $90,000 worth of books for the
Clarke Histroical Library.
Gifts-in-kind make up $294,52(0 of total .gifts for
the first six months of the current fiscal year as
compared to $219,506 for .actual cash gifts.
Even though the percentage of gifts-in-kind is
running well ahead of last year, Vest said actual
cash gifts for the first six months of this year still
are greater than for the first six of last year.
According to Vest, the largest single group of
donors so far this year has been alumni who in
1,422 donations gave 43.94 per cent of all gifts to
CMU.-
Even though this total is considerably higher
than the 898 alumni donors who gave during the
entire 1975-76 year, Vest said he would like to see
3,000 alumni donate before the current fiscaj year
ends.
Membership in Century Club and First
Nighter's is higher this year and President's Club
membership has increased from 41 to 63.
President's Club members must contribute at
least $10,000 to the University over a 10-year
period.
Various benefits also are available for members
of these groups. Specifics can be obtained by
contacting the Development Office.
(See "Development'* page 8)
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