description:
Nov. 30,1966 THE SKYSCRAPER Page Three Sophs Question Basic Studies Controversy Prompts Re-evaluation With scores ranging from 8-98, the median on the Natural Science I midterm was 60. But the fact that there were 110 points possible prompted 24 sophomores to com plain en masse to the academic af fairs committee (AAC). They didn't think they were learning anything, which was evi denced by the test. And they didn't believe they were capable of learn ing the subject matter as pre sented. Nancy Kruse, a committee mem ber, began the discussion by say ing, We are up a blind alley. We are here to learn and unfortunately to make grades. In some cases, by taking a new basic studies course in the first or second term, we have pulled lower grades than those who take the course later. The latter courses are not only easier, but have better content. The subject of the discussion on Nov. 14 was the basic studies pro gram in general. But it was the Natural Science I course that the majority of students present were discontented with. Natural Science I and II are in the basic studies program and are required for the first time this year. However, only non-science majors take the sophomore courses. The courses cover physics, chemistry and biology and were set up by the faculty last summer. They hoped that the courses would give the students who were not basically in terested in science a greater under standing of it, according to Si3ter Mary Marina Kennelly, B.V.M., chairman of the chemistry depart ment. It is not their aim to pre sent a year each of physics, chem istry and biology in two terms. Only selected topics that would give a greater appreciation of modern life are taught. Sister went on to say that the students', problem could center around an unwillingness to learn science, while Sister Mary Nadine Murphy, B.V.M., chairman of the biology department, believes it is good that the students have some concept of how much they really don't know. She would also like to see the students give the course a full chance. Both teachers wished that the students would have gone to them with their complaints before ap proaching the AAC. A petition, signed by all but two of the resi dent students in Natural Science I, stated that they were not learning anything in the course. The peti tion was given to Mr. John Wech- ter, a physics instructor, the day of the mid-term. The sophomores at the academic affairs meeting did not criticize the concept of required science courses. They did not complain in any man ner about the teachers. But they did express discontent with the or ganization of the natural science courses. Skyscraper Surveys Abstinence Attitudes by Sally Nakai At the recent Washington, D.C. meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the members of the hierarchy of the United States lifted the rule of meatless Fridays except for the six Fridays of Lent. The two million Catholics in the Chicago archdiocese, with the rest of American Catholics, will be affected by this new ruling when it takes effect Dec. 2, the first Friday of Advent. In an effort to ascertain the reactions of the Mundelein community to the removal of the traditional ban on meat on Friday, the Skyscraper asked What significant effect will the lifting of the Friday abstinence have for Catholics? A sophomore, Joanne Marrow viewed the new ruling- from this angle. She sees Catholics divided into three distinct categories. I think that for one group of Catholics it won't make much difference within a few months. I think that another group of Catholics will con tinue to abstain because they have no imagination and it might give them a sense of superiority over those who no longer abstain. The third group never abstained in the first place. Other students don't think this ruling will have much of an effect on American Catholics. Karla Lanphear, a senior, replied, It won't have that significant of an effect on Catholics in America. Older people will probably abstain anyway because they're used to it and younger people will abstain if they want to. Supporting Karla's viewpoint was Marge Pluska, junior who gave this interpretation of the change. I think that after the novelty wears off, a lot of people will go back to fasting. By changing the law, the bishops want to make fasting a matter of personal conscience rather than an arbitrary law. It may force us to reclaim some of our lost responsibility, espe cially in regard to the need for penance or it may not. But at any rate, its an indication that the church has had a blind eye reopened to her real situation in history, said Mr. Kenneth Weeks of the theology de partment. Since the lifting of the abstinence there has been much speculation about Friday menus. Mr. Charles Hewitt, food director of the College explained, I think that there will be some people who still want fast food. I don't think it will be accepted 100 per cent. I think it is a pleasant change to have fish. I think after the first few Fridays people will be inclined to miss fish and want seafood back on the menu, not necessarily on Fiday, but once a week. Sister Mary Rider, B.V.M., a scholastic, said, I would hope that it would help Catholics realize that the essence of the Catholic faith has little to do with eating or not eating meat on Friday. Reverend Joseph Kelly, S.J., college chaplain, put it this way: They can now eat meat and people may realize that their salvation never did depend on a sirloin. by Kathy Flynn We are trying to learn too much too quickly, said Beth Pfordresher. The meeting prompted the aca demic affairs committee to pass a resolution to be sent to the aca demic board. It requested that the board consider having one or two basic studies courses graded only pass-fail. Also, a list of recom mendations was sent to the depart ments involved with natural sci ence. The recommendations are: place ment exams; a syllabus; glossary of terms and a bibliography of good reference books; closer relation ships between lecture and labs; frequent quizzes so that the stu dents know how they are progress ing and the presentation of the class curve in addition to the stu dents' scores. It was decided that it would be impossible to get a new textbook this year. Sister Mary Griffin, B.V.M., aca demic dean, said at the close of the meeting, I am delighted to see the students make use of this com mittee. Sister Ann Ida Gannon, B.V.M., president, said she found a meet ing like this very helpful. The academic affairs committee was formed in 1957 by Sister Ann Ida Gannon to serve as an advisory body to the academic board. It re lates student opinion to the faculty and administration and in this way attempts to eliminate academic problems. Students, faculty and administra tion are represented on the com mittee. Sister Ann Ida Gannon, Dr. Norbert Hruby, vice-president, and Sister Mary Griffin are ex- officio members. The faculty members of the aca demic affairs committee are Dr. Russell Barta, chairman of the so ciology department; Mr. Kenneth Weeks, theology; Mrs. Robert Solo- taroff, English; Sister Arline Ke- own, B.V.M., chairman of the Rus sian department; Sister Mary Te rese Avila Duffy, B.V.M., chairman of the Spanish-Portugese depart ment and Sister Mary Eloise Thomas, B.V.M., chairman of the economics department. These mem bers were appointed to the AAC by the president of the College. Nancy Podraza, student chair man of the committee, was elected by the student body last spring. The rest of the students on the AAC were appointed by their class officers. There are two representatives from each class. The senior delegates are Pat Finn and Pat Malcolm. Anne Boy- Ian and Marilyn Whelan represent the junior class while Ellen Guten- kauf and Nancy Kruse are the ap pointed sophomores. The freshman representatives will be appointed during the winter term. While the entire committee meets only twice each term, the student members meet at least once a week. The Academic Affairs Commit tee cannot change the rules of the College. It only can recommend a change to the administration's academic board. Opinion regard ing academic freedom, evaluation of courses, the grading and testing system, the purpose of senior com prehensives, the cut system and any other issues pertinent to the academic life of the student are discussed. As Mary Ann Griffin, president of the MSC, said It is hard to con vince them (the faculty-administra tion) but at least the students are heard. Mary Ann also believes that the AAC Is becoming a more effective committee and is starting to hold their own ground and get things through. This past summer the academic affairs committee drew up a recom mendation on comprehensives, laid plans for the Oct. 31 faculty day, organized the departmental com prehensive discussion and analyzed the sequence of honor courses at Mundelein. Although it was im possible to plan the agenda for the year, the committee hopes to dis cuss the honor system and senior comprehensives. And there are small problems or questions that always have to be examined; for example, a student might want to know why a math major does not get a bachelor of science degree. A few accomplishments of last year's AAC were the all-school meeting on the term system, the changed exam schedule and the elimination of finals in the second term for seniors. It is to the committee members that any academic comment or com- complaint of the student body is brought. The members then in quire about the problem and try to determine student feeling on the is sue. Finally, the student who pro- Swingline Paz2LcMElfls 1 Divide 30 by i/z and add 10. What is the answer? (Answers below) 2 You have a TOT Stapler that staples eight 10-page reports or tacks 31 memos to a bulletin board. How old is the owner of this TOT Stapler? This is the Swingline Tot Stapler (Including 1000 staples) Larger size CUB Desk Stapler only 1.49 No bigger than a pack of gum but packs the punch of a big deal Refills available everywhere. Unconditionally guaranteed. Made in U.S.A. Got it at any stationery, variety, book storal gt;u ri U t l inc. Long Island City, N.Y. 11101 UMO UD3 no.c uia)t (ooips opiij uaipasq oql a(ji 'ipuod rj pue jjnoq -aiou v oj l*' M 'rtsM sql Aq MP- gt;B e0P prjq o jou si qDiq/ft J0 deis J.OX * 0A q nox,, aSo jnoA'Z *(SZ *' p3PPB Ot if i Z * lt; P Pi P 0E) Oi l SH3AVSNY posed the idea or the chairman of AAC will bring it before the com mittee where it is discussed, an swered or voted upon. A common complaint of the stu dent is that it takes a long time for the administration to act upon a decision of the academic affairs committee. Often, the reason for the delay is the formal investiga tion required by the administration which often is conducted by per sons outside of the College. When asked the main problem confronting the AAC this year, Mary Ann Griffin responded, com plaints that aren't concrete enough. Nancy Podraza believes it is the self consciousness of the students with the faculty. And Ellen Guttenkauf thinks the main problem is the student body's lack of awareness on how the committee can help them. for the nearness of you idette. You're sure of yourself when you have Bidette. Here is a soft, safe cloth, pre- moistened with soothing lotion, that cleans and refreshes...swiftly banishes odor and discomfort. Use Bidette for intimate cleanliness at work, at bedtime, during menstrua tion, while traveling, or whenever weather stress or activity creates the need for reassurance. Ask for individually foil-wrapped, disposable Bidette in the new easy-to- open fanfolded towelettes...at your drugstore in one dozen and economy packages. For lovely refillable Purse- Pack with 3 Bidette and literature, send 25* with coupon. W With Bidette in your purse, you need never be in doubt r* . Youngi Drug Products Corporation, Dept. 2-66 I P.O. Box 2300 G.P.O., New York, N.Y. 10001 I enclose 25f to cover postage J and handling. Send Bidette Purae-Pack, samples and literature. I Nam. , I Addi. City Colle(e -State- -Zip Code- :J
title:
1966-11-30 (3)
publisher:
Women and Leadership Archives http://www.luc.edu/wla
creator:
Mundelein College
description:
Student newspaper for Mundelein College
subject:
Newspapers
subject:
Religious communities--Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
subject:
Students
subject:
Universities and colleges
subject:
Women's education
relation:
Mundelein College Records
type:
Text
language:
English
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Chicago, Illinois
coverage:
Mundelein College