Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Plans IF BY KAREN PETIT of The Gamecock staff Plans to create a Center for Cultural Development at USC have apparently become stagnant in the turnover between the Jones and Patterson administrations. University officials admitted Tuesday to not knowing what was happening with the Center idea, an idea to raise academic standards at USC. "I have absolutely no idea what is being done with the Center," William H. Patterson, USC President, said. "Just what kind of purpose do you think the Center should serve? We have many ways of creating an academic at mosphere with visiting professors, professors in residence, and VILLAGE TOGS SWEE BABY JANE Bank Amerl Card - Master Charg Rosewood Shoppim -rmn--u or Cult organized colleges and depart ments." Proposals for a Center for Cultural Development began in 1971 at the Gravatt Conference, a conference on academic a,t - mosphere by those who felt something was lacking in the in tellectual learning experience at USC. Former USC President Thomas F. Jones asked Professor Lawrence Giles to study recom mendations for the Center and a committee was formed. Bert Dillon was named director for the proposed Center. Dillon resigned last August and was told the Center was being reviewed by a committee chaired by Dr. James Oliver. At present, another director has not been appointed. 4j tg Center 771-4454 40 ~c uralCen Dillon said he talked with Oliver several times during the fall term but doesn't know what has hap pened to the Center now. "I really don't know what has been done since I left," Dillon said. "My association and resignation make little difference now. If you don't want a particular individual to administer it, then the sensible thing to do is to resign. If Jones wanted it, it would have been fine and may have gone through. Patterson may not want the Center. I just don't know." According to Dillon, the idea behind the Center was to bring together people who were doing original and challenging work in the University. This includes professors, graduate studects, and undergraduates. To provide a congenial atmosphere, there was to be a Commons Room for coffee where students and faculty could go. In addition, these people were to have access to the senior fellows for discussion on projects they were doing. The Center was supposed to be an internal way to -)rovide an intellectual stimulus for life at the University. On the student level, Center advocates felt there was not enough genuine interest in learning by the student community as a whole. Plans for changing student apathy 'included expanding the National Merit Scholarship idea, establishing informational seminars about the different departments and colleges, providing more scholarships and increasing Iublicity about the honors program. Whai Why? Because th Carolina's opportunil anyone's needs. Gree From participation intramural program academics, Greeks ar bonds on friendship th You can be there, ti very special and im; have made the Greek you can contribute tc We've told you wha you, but we have a fee To find out more, following places: Sororitie Ice Cream Soc Sept. 4, 5-7 p. Women's Quadr< In case of Rai Campus Room, Ca Or call Mike ( -U--..-oomm iter Unc Often, changes in staff occur only on a low level. By bringing in professors from outside the University environment, the Center hoped to give impetus on a higher rank. And more im portantly, these people who were brought in would not become the sole possessions of the depart ments or colleges of their par ticular field of study. Instead, they would be available to the entire University community. With the Center concept it would be possible to bring these visiting faculty members for longer periods of time. These professors 'The Center doesn't real existed except in the mii would be academic members of outstanding reputation and im peccable academic credentials. Another feature of the Center was to bring in visiting fellows and make them available to the University at large. The idea is a very altruistic one, Dillon said, it may be that Patterson's ad ministration has found ways to incorporate the ideas within the existing system. The two main obstacles to the Center were money and approval from the S.C. Commission on Higher Education. The Com mission felt that any new center or institute in South Carolina would have to get its approval because there was no point in having several other campuses serving the same purpose, said Provost A Way To e Greek Life gives you ies. Carolina offers a k Life involves you in thei in major campus activ on campus and on to i e there. Having a good ti at last far beyond our coil Do. Not as a university r1 iortant individual. It is Life what it is today. And its perpetuation. t sorority and fraternity ling you have a lot to offei stop by for free ref re s Frate :ial m. Open ingle Sept. nl 7:30- 1 pstone ompton, Advisor, ertam Keith Davis. The Center operated on very limited funds last year and func tioned on a small scope. Davis said he believed the Commission would have eventually approved the Center. -An additional aspect of the Center was to create a faculty redevelopment plan at USC. This would give a faculty member time off to develop a new course or to broaden his knowledge of a discipline other than his own in order to better teach his discipline. Outside work such as this could be done without fear of being y exist. It never really lds of a few people.' Patterson penalized in salary, tenure, or promotion. In discussion with Oliver, Dillon said many of the Center's ideas may be instituted in other areas of the University. A report on this will go to Patterson later in the year. But the fate of the Center for Cultural Development has perhaps already been decided. "The Center doesn't really exist," Patterson said. "It never really existed except in the minds of a few people. The concept may not be dead, Dillon said. Some of the Center's ideas will perhaps be found in the South Carolina College concept. "We may see some of the same ideas through a different vehicle. It is hard to keep down a good idea." Go a composite of ctivities to suit n. ities to the best in emphasis on me and building lege days. umber, but as a individuals that I individuals like life has to offer us. shments at the rnities House 0:30 p.m. U77-2780.