1977-01-17; Central Michigan Life

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Volume 58, No, 44
Mt. Pleasant/Ml 48859
January 17,-1977
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Brrr.
Winter in Mt. Pleasant has been on par with
the rest of Michigan—record breaking low
temperatures and plenty of snow have been
endured and commonplace. While, the majority of
the CMU population was celebrating the holidays,
the campus slept peacefully under a blanket of
,,the,white<stHff~~— —
Many students will never see Central as barren
as depicted in these photographs. At left, a picnic
table awaits spring and sunshine. Above, three
students discover the joy of walking across
campus without dodging bicycles, and at right,
the flag in front of Warriner Hall flies at half-mast
in honor of Michigan's late Senator Philip Hart.
Weather-watch^ predict more snow and icy
temperatures this Week (LIFE photos by Mark
Tsou, Kirk Deatrick and Mark Tsou).
\
Concerns include budget, energy
amiliar issues greet CMU in 1977
by HOLLY HAYES
LIFE Managing Editor
The new year promises to be more of the same for CMU as faculty
members, students and administrators battle familiar problems
rvith elusive solutions.
Central's tight budget, energy consumption problems, unrest
jetween union and non-union faculty members and the logistics of a
new general education program—all are issues facing the
University community as 1977 dawns.
But all is not gloomy. Central still is the most popular institution
of higher education in Michigan, turning away more applicants
every semester. A new housing entrance policy has been instituted
which may be a victory for students, privacy. The Board of Trustees
has begun more open meetings to comply with new state law,
although the benefits of this have yet to be seen.
While CMU's financial future is looking brighter, higher utility
bills and lower enrollments than expected have put Central
'slightly behind," on this year's budget. This means the University
is running at a slight deficit.
CMU and state officials are predicting more money will be
ivailable to higher education next year. However, Central still must
wait for its appropriation request to be processed through the
revised state funding model to see exactly what share of the higher
education financial pie it will get. t
Faculty unrest on union matters is expected to culminate in a
^certification election sometime this year, as members of the Free
raculty (an anti-Faculty Association group) will begin circulating
sards requesting the election Feb. 1. Thirty per cent of the faculty
members must sign the cards for the election to take place.
Central's Academic Senate will face continued key debate on
ssues related to the University Program, a general education
>ackage to take effect during; the Fall Semester, 1978.
Work yet to be done on the plan includes defining the .criteria for
- . I , I ., | ■ I, , 1.   ..... , - III. I,, -..l,ll.S
Welcome back!
The new year and a new semester offer challenges to the
faculty, staff and students of Central. The board of Trustees
will be faced with open meetings and the basketball team will
be aiming for a Mid-Ameriea.n Conference championship with
three transfer students eligible this semester.
CM LIFE'S back-to-school issue will feature aspects of CMU,
community and athletic life.
This first section includes stories on President Harold Abel,
Provost John Canteloir, the Student Association, Faculty-
Association and CMU's budget. ,
The features and entertainment section highlights the
people, events/and cultural activities of Mt, Pleasant and CMU.
Included are storles'on community and cantpu? organizations,
Stories on winter recreation are included in the sports
section, including downhill and cross country skiing, ice
fishing, and theplaces students can enjoy these activities,
u.
a course to be offered in the program, and revising all University
curricula to fit new University Program requirements.
Spiraling energy costs have forced CMU officials to take a hard
look at new ways to conserve energy on campus, as part of a total
plan to save money in all areas of the University. Belt-tightening
will be the order of the day for most areas.
The new housing policy, which went into effect Jan. 10, should
protect students' privacy in University housing if regulations are
learned and followed. While violations of the former policy, according to administrators, were few, the victory for students may
be in having the policy in a written form.
Central's new. provost, John Cantelon, is settling well into his
position, mentioning few problems. Gradually getting to know
faculty members and gaining knowledge of the decision-making
process here has been a top priority with Cantelon.
For another administrator, however, 1977 looks less than
promising, as President Harold Abel sees an increasingly fac-
tionalized University community as frustrating and cause for
concern. He worries that a lack of pressing issues may have caused
this 'we' — 'they' situation.
President finds frustration
in campus 'factionalization'
by HOLLY HAYES
LIFE Managing Editor
Increasing factionalization of
the University community has
President Harold Abel
frustrated and concerned as
1977 begins.
"One of the real strengths of
CMU when I came here was that
faculty and students could say
'we' and now I see that fabric
being pulled away," he
remarked. "The worst thing is
when you get a 'we' - 'they*
situation."
Abel attributes this in part to
the times, citing a lack of
"burning issues," such as those
on campuses in the 1960s, to
bring people together.
"When there's a crisis, people
pull as one, but when there's not,
everyone sort of drifts; There's
really no issue we're all
threatened with," he said.
After nearly a year and a half
at Central, Abel maintains his
perceptions of the institution
haven't changed, but that maybe
the perceptions of Harold Abel
had, some "perhaps justifiably."
"One begins life as a spanking
newborn baby but the shining
4«nk
image gets tarnished a little as
you grow older. With a new job,
there's a new shiny image," he
mused. "But as you begin to
behave in your environment, the
image gets tarnished again. No
president can have the kind of
shine he starts out with, or live
up to the knight in shining armor image forever,"
Abel really doesn't expect to
be loved. "I have and expect to
make some unpopular decisions,
and some people will tattoo me
with an issue or a decision," he
said. "You'can either do a good
job or a poor job. On balance I
think I've done a pretty good
job."
He added, "I still want to
leave a positive, permanent
impression on CMU,"
> Abel also is frustrated by last
semester's conflict between the
CMU administration and three
Young Socialist Alliance
members arrested for selling
literature in Warriner
Auditorium without permission
from the Student Affairs Office.
(See related story, Section B.)
"This is a minor incident
compared to, some of the ones
I've experienced in the '60s, but
\
"One ^of the real
strengths of CMU when
I came here was that
faculty and students
could say 'we' and now
I see that fabric being
pulled away"—President Harold Abel
the effect is that you get
students and faculty in little
opposing factions. And I do
detest the word 'oppressive' -
it's particularly upsetting to see
that word applied to me."
In addition, student pressure
to revise** the University's
housing entrance policy has
concerned Abel.
"I just don't think the dorm
entrance issue is an issue," he
said. "The students who are in
favor of sweeping revisions can't
come up with one  violation."
(See related story, Section B.)
Amid the frustration, Abel
sees bright spots'for CMU this
year. "We're the most well-
managed institution in\the state;
we have a faculty that is committed to students hnd the
educational mission !of the
University. There rea|ly are a
lot of things we can accomplish if
we get our Nheads
together... we just need to
work together."