Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VIEW]I A Co BY BOB BAKER Editor-in-Chief GAMECOCK: The '75-'76 proposed budget marks USC with a $3.2 million reduction from what the state legislature recom mended. How will USC sustain this budget cut? PATTERSON: Well, let me first say that I'm quite disappointed that we were unable to work something out with the General Assembly. The cut itself means we will have a cut in custodial ser vices. But you have to remember that the cut is not so much a money thing as it has to do more with inflation. Last year we received $41.6 million in state governmpent funds. This year we're getting $43.5 million. Now, that's more money than last year. In addition, funds will be allocated to the University to cover a 4.2 per cent pay increase for state employes. You'll have to remen)ber that utilities make up a large propor tion of the increase. In fact it will cost us approximately $1.2 million for just the heating and air con ditioning of the new central library. GAMECOCK: Do you feel a tuition increase is urgently needed? PATTERSON: With the projected tuition inc ease ($800,000) I believe a reasonable budget can be arrived at. Without BEST c OF TH NEW YORK JUDI ROG(ER CO RM AN P,esenits DrcCbFEDEIN SFLLN ?ROM] go.nversati( 'I'm personally not about apathy at al -Pre the tuition increase, the University would have to maintain substantial cuts in faculty travel, custodial services--remember we're not letting anyone go--and in supplies and equipment. Also, our faculty's salary levels must stay in line by receiving state increases and rewards for merit. GAMECOCK: Will any academic programs be affected by this cut? PATTERSON: You can be assured that no academic programs, as far as the actual learning situation is concerned, will be cut. - GAMECOCK: Is there any truth -to the rumor that programs within student affairs will' be cut back? PATTERSON: No. We will have what we had last year. And I believe that Mr. Campbell (dean for student affairs beginning July 1) will have an ample amount of funds for student affairs. I do not know of any reductions in student affairs at this time. GAMECOCK: Three years ago the University announced it would STARTS F REPAY ~ICTURE EPYEAR FILM CRITICS TH CRIST S~rFRANCO CRITALDnI ['HE TO mn With Pr really concerned sident Patterson limit freshman enrollment, Because of the formula which regulates the University's monies according to total fall enrollment would you anticipate making a wide open admission policy for USC? PATTERSON: The freshman enrollment limit was set at 2,500 and that limit was never.reached. In fact, this past fall we just had a little over 2,300 students. Con sidering the current state of af fairs, I think if 2,900 freshmen applied and were acceptable, we'd go ahead and take them. GAMECOCK: What do you consider your most major ac complishment in your first year as USC's president? PATTERSON: I think as a whole the University has achieved a somewhat better relationship with the community east of us. I consider that a major ac complishment. Not to my own doing, but rather a University-wide achievement, I consider the creation of three new graduate schools a much greater ac complishment. - - - - - - - - - - - US UFEUNE-held by the ass CulKf EAST rIE EIGER SA 2:04:40-7:04 LA kt nds, like non of them.C esident Pi GAMECOCK What kinds of plans do you have for Carolina for say the next 10 years. PATTERSON: First, I'd like to see that the higher education formula funding be based on a cost of living index in which inflation and growth is recognized. Enrollment should stabilize itself at 20,000 and I think we should aim to improve the quality of this in stitution while maintaining a student body of the same size. You have to remember that by being a state institution we must have a program broad enough to meet the needs of our state. I think the center of our efforts for the next few years should be to upgrade existing buildings especially residence halls. GAMECOCK: Are you in favor of having USC become a nationally or even internationally known institution for academic learning? PATTERSON: I think the University should serve the best interest of the state first and then from its statewide prominence it should move towards earning national and international status. I personally cannot see setting outlandish admission policies for schools and colleges which were originally designed to serve the best interests of the state. You'll have to remember that we're not so far away now from national prominence. That prominence is often determined by the number of ossin he hunted. WOOD' MCMON )n9:20 TE SHOW :3. P.M. RIDAY & TURDAY, COMING IRTgXAwsA RIDAYI 99DW1A M ImCE ERNi aN / "TII m1terson Ph.D.'s which an institution confers. In the past year USC has given more than a hundred Ph. D.'s. GAMECOCK; You have been associated with the University for a great portion of your life. What makes a man such as yourself be dedicated to such an institution as this? PATTERSON: Well, I must say I consider it quite a challenge to be where I am today. I am amazed at where we've come from. In 1950 our state government appropriated $1.6 million. In 1975 it's $43.5 million. In 1950 we had 4800 students. Today on the Columbia campus we have more than 20,000. In that same time frame we have come from the issuance of 1 Ph.D. to 100. 1 consider it a very gratifying experience to have been here during this period of un precedented growth. GAMECOCK: Dr. Patterson, beside the fact that you see the University as a challenge; just what is it that attracts you to this institution? PATTERSON: Why I imagine you want me to say that I have a deep concern for young people. Well, to tell you the truth I haven't really got much interest in young people. I think it's an opportunity Please Turn to Page 5 Held Over 1w3n5w709 AUCE DOESN'T VE HERE ANYMORE ELD OVER I:30-3:30 J:3@-7:3@ S9:30