General Faculty hear Cole-Newkirk presentation, planning report

Faculty salaries an issue of concern in planning

Faculty members heard a presentation by Dean of Student Life and Services Charlene Cole-Newkirk about Residential Life and planning at Tuesday's General Faculty (GF) meeting. Discussion also dealt with planning as it related to issues such as faculty's salaries, which are lower than those at all of Oberlin's competitor schools.

The main event at the meeting brought Cole-Newkirk to the front of King 306 to begin a report on issues that had emerged from focus groups held in conjunction with Oberlin's long-range planning process. Cole-Newkirk's presentation on issues relating to Residential Life was bracketed by a report on planning issues and a long debate on reactions to punk band Tribe 8's Oct. 28 performance at the 'Sco. (see accompanying article)

Sophomore Maggie Callahan opened the meeting with an explanation of the new recycling program she has helped institute in academic buildings. Professor of History Marcia Colish led the group in applause for Callahan's accomplishments. "We couldn't have done it without you," she said.

Professor of Religion Grover Zinn presented a report from the planning committee. Zinn deliniated the three types of planning in which Oberlin is currently involved, detailing highlights of the long-range strategic planning process, facility and building planning and financial and budgetary planning.

"We are acutely aware of the existence of various planning processes that are going on in this institution," said Zinn. "The planning committee is deeply concerned as an institution we coordinate all the varieties of planning. This is not time to choose between different kinds of planning we need to do."

Zinn also spoke about the planning of new science facility, slated for construction in the next ten years. "Planning is well underway for new science facility," Zinn added. Zinn estimated the cost of the project at about 35 million dollars.

President Nancy Dye said that Oberlin seems to be following a national trend by renovating its science facilities.

Zinn also spoke of the inclusion of financial aid issues in the budgetary planning process. He reiterated the average decrease of $1500 in the self-help portion of student's financial aid last year. This put Oberlin near the COFHE average for self help. "Reduction in student loans seems to be instrumental in increasing our yield," said Zinn.

Zinn also said that increasing faculty salaries remained a priority for the Planning Committee. "Oberlin was on a downward slide," he said. "Although I think we can say Oberlin is no longer sliding downward dramatically."

Dye said that Oberlin is grouped with 16 other comparable schools for purposes of assessing salaries. Oberlin ranks last in both full professors' salaries and assistant professors' salaries. Oberlin ranks 15th in salaries for associate professors.

"This has been a trend for at least 25 years," Dye said. "In 1971, we were at top of all ranks and that has gradually declined."

Issues born from the long-range planning process were at the heart of Cole-Newkirk's presentation. In her introduction of Cole-Newkirk, Dye said, "We generally affirm the importance of being a residential college, but it seems to me not an issue we have devoted much attention to."

Cole-Newkirk prepared a packet of articles for faculty members to ready them for her series of overhead transparencies. According to Cole-Newkirk, some faculty members questioned the cost and copyright of the packet.

Cole-Newkirk feels the institutional quality of many dorms is ripe for renovation. "Students feel more comfortable in intimate surroundings," Cole-Newkirk said. "If my daughter, ten years from now, had to share a bathroom with thirty other people I think she'd be very upset."

"I think if anything it builds a sense of community to share a bathroom," said senator sophomore Chuckie Kamm.

"We need to look at diversity holistically," Cole-Newkirk said. "Sprinkling a few students of color around campus doesn't promote diversity."

Cole-Newkirk also spoke of the need for more common spaces.

"Do we have cable in most dorms?" Associate Professor of African-American Studies Booker Peek said.

After Cole-Newkirk replied affirmatively, one faculty member said, "Overall, I wouldn't have thought that was the way to improve academic life. I'm certainly not going to censor television." He said that the planning process that led to Stevenson, a structure broadly criticized by Cole-Newkirk as sterile and gargantuan, was very comprehensive. "We keep doing things that sound good that certainly are expensive, that give us a warm glow," he said. "What will keep us from going through another cycle?"

"I just don't hear students complain about residential halls," said one faculty member. "I do hear them complain about money."

Senator junior Chapin Benninghoff interrupted the discussion of residential life to draw the general faculty's attention to the issues surrounding Tribe 8. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to discussion of a proposal introduced by Benninghoff asking the general faculty to issue a statement supporting free expression. (see accompanying story)