Morgan denied tenure – by Cathy Logg
Marilyn Morgan, sociology and anthropology instructor, has become the first instructor in Peninsula College history to be denied tenure. According to Floyd Young, dean of instruction, Dr. Morgan’s student attrition rate is probably about the same as for the average faculty in similar courses but the enrollment in her social science classes is not enough to warrant a full-time teaching position. He said the decision to deny tenure was based on ‘pretty much’ on the fact that enrollment has been declining in social science for several years, although there were ‘some questions raised as to the reasons for her attrition rate.’ Dr. Morgan was evaluated by a committee including Larry Welch, Jack Estes, and Floyd Young. their report was evaluated by the 14-member tenure review committee, which voted and forwarded the results to Dr. President Paul Cornaby. Dr. Cornaby then made a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, who made the final decision. Dr. Morgan says, ‘I think that, compared to other places I have taught, I don’t believe as much is required of students here in terms of really thinking, writing, and and synthesizing information. The other side of that is you can’t say it is all the teacher’s fault; that they are not requiring enough.” She said she does not favor a tenure system, ‘because they have a tendency to become ‘you get to stay or you have to go’ Tenure has a tendency to encourage poor teachers to stay, and not good ones. A really good teacher is going to have all kinds of opportunities and will not be held in by the tenure system.” Mr. Young said he did not forsee considerable changes in the social sciences program except that some classes may be offered less often, perhaps on alternate years. “I think her skills are more oriented to upper division work,” he said. “She has strong capabilities and skills that are oriented to that level of teaching.” Dr. Morgan was offered a part-time teaching position which she declined. “Part-time teaching cannot be tenured.” she explains. “I feel leaving is definitely a better professional and personal choice than part-time teaching.” She said her greatest regret was the failure of the attempt to set up a four-year program with Western Washington University. “So much of the problem has to do with the philosophy of education.” says Dr. Morgan. This is her third year at Peninsula and tenure must either be granted or denied in the third year. This will be her final quarter. Dr. Morgan says she believes student enrollment is declining in social sciences because it deals with complicated issues. “My personal opinion is that enrollment and what is required in classes are intimately connected,” she says. “You always have the factors of how much work they’ll have to do, whether or not they really have to attend classes and do assignments, things like that. I find that student will really test you. That indicates to me that they are not used to having courses with heavy workloads.” She adds: “What’s happening in education is it’s a buyer’s market-a student’s market. College is a business. In order to teach you have to have students. The students began saying ‘I don’t want to do this’, and the courses were made easier. It used to be that teachers determined curriculum. These decisions are about equally split between boards of trustees and administrators, who have to deal with the harsh realities, and students, who are the buy8ing public. Faculty are now in the middle. Students now know that they can demand certain things and they will get what they ask for. They have not always asked for the right things. It used to be you could assume a student could read and write when they got to college. That’s no longer true. I don’t see why the poor belabored English faculty should have to correct what has been lacking for the 12 years in students. That’s why I require a lot of reading and writing. It’s frustrating to read and grade inadequately written papers. That’s why we have and refer students to the reading and writing labs,” she said. But, she adds: “I’ve enjoyed my students immensely. I’ve gained an enormous amount of respect for people who teach in community colleges and the specific difficulties they encounter.” Gerry Gerringer, a former student, is disappointed Dr. Morgan is leaving. “I think it is completely absurd when someone as superior and high caliber as she is is denied tenure when there are other teachers who are totally unbending.” he says. Said Betti Mundi, one of her current students, “When she is rolling, there’s nobody greater. She can fire up the whole class. She shocks them and rocks them and makes them think. She’s never out of her depth.” Adds Carolyn Beard, “She’s a humanist. She has such a backing of knowledge that questions just feed her and she goes on and on.” Mary Dill says, “Her textbooks and readings are difficult but if you stay with her, she explains. In the end you learn how to study difficult material.” Karen Paulson said, “I became aware in her class that I was grade-conscious, and it came to the point where I had to re-evaluate my thinking. Her presentations were excellent. When I got beyond the point of just wanting an A, I relaxed and enjoyed the class.”
PC may offer B.A. degrees
The possibility that students may earn a B.A. degree without having to leave the Peninsula is becoming more of a reality as negotiations between Peninsula and Evergreen State College continue. A questionnaire is now available in the PUB lobby to determine student interest. Interested students are urged to fill out the questionnaire, indicating their preference in the following programs:
Marine Science has a liberal arts approach which will include detailed study of marine life and habitat, as well as literature and history of the sea.
Environmental sciences has been organized by a chemist and a field biologist who have included extensive field work, practice in dealing with a local environmental problem and the traditional program of the course.
Arts will deal with the fine arts.
Management is still undefined as to content.
Human sciences has been operating at Clark Community College in Vancouver for the past two years. This program offers studies in social problems, human development, social theory, group dynamics, urban design, social science research methods, business and personnel management.
Community studies began last fall at Clark. It includes studies of technology and culture, subcultures, statistics and management, critical thinking, writing, seminars on ancient and modern concepts of community and citizenship and comparative studies of culture.
An “upside down” curriculum may also be offered. Students will complete their specialized training at a community college first, then take the general courses through Evergreen. Art Feiro Dean of Students, and Dr. Paul Cornaby, president of PC, have been negotiating programs and content of courses with the administration of evergreen and hope to have “a definite package” to present to the Board of Trustees by May. Plans are to implement one to six of the programs mentioned by fall 1978.
Family Life program set
Peninsula College Family Life programs will present an assertiveness Training weekend workshop May 5 and 6. The instructor, Janet Brooks, now have a private practice as a psychiatric social work therapist in Seattle. The course will include discussion and practice of assertive communication techniques. These methods can assist persons in expressing feelings, opinions, and ideas to co-workers, family and friends so they will be more likely to listen and respond without anger and resentment. Enrollment in the spring session is closed.
McRae Resigns
Pam McRae has resigned her position as a Peninsula College math instructor. This will be her last quarter of teaching. Ms. McRae, who teaches both algebra and the math lab, plans to return to college. “I have some very exciting things in mind,” she says. “I was trained in mathematics but not in education. I want to experience some courses that will give me some tools of the trade that I don’t have at this time. Working in the math lab has been a very exhilarating project for me, but there are many other areas I want to explore. I’ve gotten a taste of education now and I know what I want to do, where I’m going,” she said. She said the core of the math lab is established now and she can feel confident in leaving. “The math lab is growing all the time and I think it will continue to grow, ” she said.
Editorial
Spring’s pro’s and con’s
As with most events in life there are pros and cons and the event of spring is no exception. There seem to be two types of people, the “pro-springists” and the “anti-springists”. Both groups being their activities on March 20. The pro art busy promoting the magical attitude of spring with feelings of new life, fresh beginnings and general optimism. The anti, on the other hand, is concerned with the reality and consequences of the pro. For example the pro views spring flower as a sign of beautiful rebirth of life. the anti views them as simple case of hay fever, and shivers ar the thought of another Saturday morning spent mowing his quick growing lawn. Pros enjoy all the spring sports like tennis, golf, kite flying and being out in the spring air. Anti hesitate to expose their bodies to spring sportswear because they still show the effects of Christmas cookies and Valentine candy and Easter goodies. They also become frustrated when finding last year’s tennis ball soggy from being stored in the damp garage, and golf balls absent from their bags. The fresh spring air is considered as an automatic spring cold. Throughout the years pros have managed to set a few spring traditions such as spring cleaning, spring fashions and June weddings. Spring cleaning is absent from the anti’s calendar. Spring fashions and June weddings merely seem like another spring expense or present to buy. Pros widely outnumber the antis and are increasing with the outbreak of spring fever. Perhaps someday all the the anti will be converted to pros. Perhaps even the crazy weather will be converted to pro.
Women’s activist to speak April 9
Letters
Readers react to SBASM
Editor, The Buccaneer;
RE: SBASM Productions
Having recently rejoined my cohorts here in this Peninsular Paradise, I once again find them at each other’s throats. I fear that I will soon be required to stand between the two and act as a mediator. I would like it to be known that the immense difference between the personalities of the members of SBASM are so great, that it would be inane to assume they perform in harmony. But, at present, my only real goal for the five of us is to re-establish unity before the April 17 showing of “Cocky”.
Individually yours,
Steve McInnes
Editor, The Buccaneer:
I was not at all pleased to see in the last issue of the “Buccaneer” (on the front page, no less) a story about Ken Boynton, his friend, and their latest (so called) movie “Cocky”. If I know Mr. Boynton, and I believe I do, this article will merely make him all the more difficult to be around. (it is extremely difficult now) His head is already too big for him and this story will only serve to inflate his ever-growing ego. The idiot will probably write in commending you for writing an accurate and extremely well-written story (and why shouldn’t he, it was about him, wasn’t it?) I believe SBASM productions has had all the publicity they need and I would appreciate it greatly if you wouldn’t run a story about the showing of “Cocky” at the Monday night film series. I am only hoping that Ken’s friend, Gary, will wise up soon and start hanging around some decent folks.
Disgustedly yours,
Gary L. Allen
(not the same one)
P.S. Only Eileen Wallace’s excellent journalistic powers saved the story from going completely under and I know that her extreme talent can be channeled into areas more appropriate than amateur (and I mean amateur!) filmmaking.
PPS It’s no picnic working with Ken Boynton.
Editor, The Buccaneer;
I was very pleased with the article on SBASM productions on the front page of your last Buccaneer. It was interested and extremely well-written. And that’s why I’m writing to you-to say in a nutshell, that the article was accurate and well-written. It really was! Not only that, I think it’s high time your newspaper carried contemporary and modern stories that are interesting to the reader in more ways than just being interesting. SBASM productions can use the publicity, believe me. Please run a story about “Cocky” being shown in conjunction with the Monday night film series on April 17. It would help immensely. Seldom does one get a change in life to associate with friends that are so similar to each other that they are at the risk of sounding cliche, life “five peas in a pod!”
Thank you so very much.
Ken Boynton
SBASM Productions
Gene Kelly in cast of ’50’s film series’
“Movies in the Fifties” will present the award-winning picture of 1951, “An American in Paris”, Monday at 7 p.m. in the Little Theater. The film was produced by Arthur Freed and directed by Vincente Minnelli. The musical comedy concerns and ex-GI, played by Gene Kelly, who wants to stay in pairs to pursue his career as an artist. Leslie Caron provides the romantic interest. Oscar Levant and Nina Foch are also featured. The film displays Paris life and gaiety, the Left Bank, posters, flower venders, and bohemians in beards and berets. One sequence includes a 20-minute ballet staged by Gene Kelly to George Gershwin’s music.
Nutrition class offered
Nutrition for All Ages is a new two credit course offered this spring. The cost is $19.40 plus $1 record fee. The instructor is Sandra Steigerwald, who has an MS in Human Nutrition and is a registered dietician. Formerly a nutrition instructor at the University of New Hampshire and Portland Community College, she is currently a consultant for senior nutrition and Head Start programs in Clallam and Jefferson counties. The course will include lectures, films, and discussions presenting guidelines for selecting and evaluating nutritious foods during each state of the life cycle: infancy, preschool, elementary age, adolescent, adult, pregnancy, fetal nutrition, and nutrition in the second 50 years. The class will meet Tuesdays in Room VT-42, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Golfers get swinging
The Peninsula College gold team gets off to a swinging start today with its first match at Olympic Community College. The Pirates will play a total of 11 matches, the final match being the NWAACC Tournament at Royal Oaks, Clark CC, Monday, May 22. The second match will be April 10 at home against Lower Columbia at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 14, is against Mr. Hood and Clark at Olympic CC Monday, April 17 the team will play against Grays Harbor at Olympic CC. Friday, April 21 they meet Lower Columbia Vancouver. Friday, April 28, PC plays Grays Harbor and Olympic here at 1:30 p.m. and Monday, May 15, Mt. Hood and Clark at Clark CC. In the Pirates’ exhibition match, PC lost to the Port Angeles High Roughriders, a strong high school team this year. The seven starters for the Pirates are No. 1 see, Rod Antolock, No. 2 Randy Thomas; No. 3 Jeff Johnson; No. 4, Steve Wasnock; No. 5, rick Gott; No 6, Dave Swinford; and No. 7, tony Temres. The seedings are stable at present but could change during the season. The coach for the Pirates is Mike Clayton. All home matches will be held at the Port Angeles golf course.
Climbing class starts
“One girl took the class because she had a crush on the instructor’s assistant,” says Rebecca Murray, a former student of Ron Crawford’s snow-climbing class. She explains that students had various reasons for taking the class but they became close team members by the time they climbed Mt. Saint Helens. She said the skills learned in the classroom provide a sound basis for successful climbing. The evening lectures cover rope handling, signals, climber’s knots, belaying, rappelling and other topics aimed at making climbs safe and enjoyable. Three Saturday field trips are scheduled to practice self-arrest, rope management and belay techniques. Mr. Crawford said all class participants will experience being rescued from a crevasse. All of this preparation will climax in a climb of Mt. St. Helens. A summer climb of Mt. Olympus also is scheduled. Mr. Crawford said experienced hikers in good physical condition should do fine in the class. No previous experience is needed.
Pirate Pete’s Pal
Tennis player enjoys outdoors – by Eileen Wallace
“I just want to be able to improve myself,” says Peninsula College tennis team member Elaine Eberharter of her hopes for the 1978 season. Elaine started playing tennis last year. She learned how to play and develop her skills while she was playing on the team. She held either fifth or sixth position all year and was third in doubles. Her win-loss record was “about 50-50”, Elaine says she had a good time playing with the girls last year. “They were a lot of fun!” She is also optimistic of this year’s squad. “I think we’re going to have a good team.” she says. “Everyone is willing to help each other.” Of Coach Kathy Murphy she says, “I’ve enjoyed being able to work under Kathy, and I feel I’ve really learned a lot.” She is majoring in biology and in German. She plans to go to school next year in Konstanz, Germany. Elaine has already spent time in Germany, as she was there on an exchange program right after graduation from high school. Among her hobbies are hiking and cross-country skiing. During spring vacation, she went on a hiking trip and injured her ankle, which prevented her from playing in the first match on April 3. She is currently playing her final year of tennis at PC. “It’s going to be sad to leave the school after this year, but I think I’ll be ready to go on to something new,” she admits.
Peninsula student wins national badminton title – by Rick Ross
Peninsula College can boast of many good athletes such as Rob Sande, Jamie Stewart and Rick Davis who leg the Pirates on the basketball court. Then there are Laura Howell and Carla Hopie, who led Peninsula’s girls volleyball squad. PC’s golf and tennis programs will bring out the talents of students such as Rob Antolock, Rick Gott and Elaine Eberharter this spring. All of these students are directly involved i Peninsula’s sports program and are recognized accordingly. However, there is one PC student who has won 20 national titles and deserves some recognition here at Peninsula. Lisa DeRousie is both well known and well liked by Port Angeles residents. Her name means badminton in this town, and for those students who are unaware of her career, Lisa recently won her 19th and 20th junior national badminton championship in Austin, Texas. Lisa graduated from Port Angeles High School in 1976 and went to UCLA the following year on a badminton scholarship. She then returned to Port Angeles and is now attending PC as a sophomore. Only two weeks ago Lisa was enjoying the sun and the experience of winning two national championships in Texas. She defeated a girl from New York to win the title in girls singles, 18 and under, her second consecutive year winning the championship. Lisa then teamed with Ann French to win the national title in girls doubles. This win was her 20th national championship in eight years of competition. To top it all off, Lisa was chosen for the “top junior award” in the competition.
Spring IM sign-ups
Spring quarter will feature many intramural sports activities for those interested in getting some exercise or just competing for the enjoyment. Many of the events will be outdoor activities. The IM schedule for spring ’78 consists of the following:
Table tennis: singles (men and women), doubles (men and women), and mixed doubles. People interested in this event should have registered prior to March 31.
Two-on-two basketball: men, women, and mixed doubles. Participants play on a half court. ; men guard men, women guard women. The men’s basket is worth 2 points while the women’s basket is worth 4 points. Students interested should have registered prior to March 31.
Horseshoes: another event for which registration should have been prior to March 31.
Co-ed softball: its planning stages consist of two leagues at present. 12 to 1 pm and 3 to 4 pm. Two leagues will be formed so that if someone has classes during the noon hour, which is when most of the IM events will be played unless arranged beforehand, students can still participate in the 3 to 4 pm co-ed softball.
Rules will be: twelve players maximum per team, nine players on the field. Four players of one sex, five of the other, there will also be two pitch rules. register prior to April 21.
Spring tennis features singles (men and women), doubles and mixed doubles, register prior to April 21.
Golf: register prior to April 21.
Students should register in IM boxes in the gym and PUB. Results will be posted on bulletin boards in the gym and PUB. For more information students can see Nancy Meinke, IM director, Student Services: Ext 228; home phone 457-4744
Student standout
Gillian Abshire ‘likes challenge’ – by Karen Paulson
“I was named after a witch,” says Gillian Abshire, a PC nursing major. My parents were watching a television move shortly before I was born and liked the name of the leading witch, Gillian” she explains. Gillian graduated from Port Townsend High School last year and began taking classes at peninsula last summer. After she completes the nursing program here she plans to earn a BS in nursing at a four-year college. “I like a good challenge. I thrive on them and feel good when I do well,” she says regarding her 4.0 gpa for two quarters. She “loves” science and math, but English classes “scare” her. “I can’t spell at all. Maybe that means you can only find challenges in subjects that interest you,” she adds with a smile. Gillian is also a dormitory resident assistant and freshman representative for the Student Council. she is now heading a committee to evaluate bookstore policies and perhaps make them more student-oriented. “I would definitely like to see lower prices,” she says. Gillian has worked as a florist, a nurse’s aide and a marine biologist’s assistant. She says she’s glad to be a woman now when “tremendous opportunities are at hand.” She feels badly about some of the women from her mother’s generation who thought they could only be wives and mothers. “I would like to see my mom living at the dorm and attending classes.” she says. “I have lots of respect for the older students in my classes. Some have been out of school for so long that they’ve forgotten how to study and have to work twice as hard,” she says. In her spare time Gillian likes to sew, raise plants, cook, embroider and hike and she plants to learn how to play the guitar she recently bought. And, she likes to fish. “I love the fight steelhead put up and it’s fun to outsmart them using various lures,” she says. “Fishing gets in your blood, sort of a battle between yourself and nature. Another challenge.” She adds that an empty pocketbook can also be strong motivation for catching that fish. After graduation Gillian would like to use her medical training to help people in “all corners of the world” by being a missionary or joining the Peace Corps. “I’m religious but respect all religions. I would not want to change the beliefs of people in other countries but want to help them through my medical knowledge,” she says. Gillian says the nursing instructors at PC are “very, very good and have people in mind”, encouraging their students to empathetic and sympathetic nurses.
Feiro presents Ireland
Dean of Students Art Feiro gave a slide show program on “A Naturalist’s Walk through Ireland” in the Little Theater Thursday. He went to Ireland and some of England with other professors from Ireland, England, and Canada on a biological tour and to share expertise. From debarkation in Ireland through parts of England, the show was a study in the ecology of the British Isles. Spending most of his time in west Ireland, Dean Feiro, “basically a microbiologist”, worked with other scientists on soil bacteria and plant roots. Western Ireland is considered the “Wilderness of Ireland” and is where new forestry plots are being established. One of the most interesting places Dean Feiro visited was The Burrens, special botanical and animal sites where unique plants and animals are found in their native habitats. Plants from both the arctic and the tropics are present. Dean Feiro says it may be that birds might be responsible for the plants’ presence. The plants have survived in microclimates existing in rock crevices. In Carna, Dean Feiro visited the new and only marine lab in Ireland. The lab is working on saving the oyster, clam and lobster industries. The famous peat of Ireland has been historically used by the people for heat. Today, peat is being used commercially as well, for heat and for production of electricity. Peat is an almost inexhaustible fuel source which burns at a very high temperature. In Ireland, conservation has been practiced for centuries, Mr. Feiro said. Every piece of arable land is used. Over generations, the land has been cleared of stone and used for fences, hence stone fences abound. Dean Feiro presented a paper at Trinity College in Dublin and observed the seaport there. From Dublin he went to London, Oxford, and Cambridge. While there he visited the Cotswolds, a rural area near Oxford.
College cutbacks may change plans – by Karen Paulson
Peninsula College may have a “zero balance in its capital fund by July 1 because of competition for state funds,” President Dr. Paul Cornaby said in a press conference with the journalism class March 1. Last November, citizens voted to eliminate the sales tax on food, which could cost Peninsula College $100,000 loss in revenue, according to Dr. Cornaby. Community colleges must compete with other state agencies for funds, and the largest competitor is the Department of Social Services. But the Office of Financial Management, which handles the state budget, has the most power – including the power to allocate and rescind money, he explained. He said the Legislature expects about a 10 to 20 percent decline in community college enrollment in the next few years but Peninsula College is a “local phenomenon” because enrollment was up considerable this year. “Basically, two things will affect Peninsula College in the next two years.” said Dr. Cornaby. If enrollment is up about 10 percent and more money is allotted, the loss of sales tax revenue may not affect the college. However, expenses may be more. If college revenue drops, plans for a new electronics building may have to be abandoned, and few or no new program will begin. This would include plans for a new industrial vocational program designed to train individuals to be more versatile industrial employees. Community service programs also may have to be cut, said Dr. Cornaby. The college administration has an obligation to be economical, but lack of student enrollment in certain classes does not necessitate their cancellation, he said. Student trends in choice of classes, whether in humanities, business or vocational, run in cycles, according to Dr. Cornaby. “If I were a student, I would get a liberal education first, then vocational training.” he advised. In response to Gov. Ray’s recent criticism of the tenure system and her statement that Washington state is a “diploma mill” Dr. Cornaby said the tenure system “simply means that during a two=year probationary period, reasons for dismissal must be valid.” He said he wasn’t sure what Govenor Ray meant by a “diploma mill” but didn’t think Washington is different from other states. Dr Cornaby said it is an “imponderable” to say whether it is easier to get college diplomas now. “Maybe we’re better educators if students are getting better grades,” he said. He said grades provide good stimulation, whereas “concentration on grades alone can be counterproductive. For example, the University of Washington experimented with a pass-fail grading system but found that the students spent all their time on graded courses. There is stimulus in the grade system.” said Dr. Cornaby.
Tuition fees will rise
College tuition rates will go up $5 starting summer quarter, according to Business Manager Frank Thayer. The icrease was approved by the State Legislature in January 1977. The increase is considered a raise in perating fees, not tuition, Mr. Thayer explains. The total of tuition, operating fees, and service an activites fees is now $97 for resident students and $396 for non-residents. The operating fee goes to the state and is returned to the college through its annual appropriations, based upon an estimated budget submitted by the college. Operating fees are used to help cover the costs of running community colleges.
Seattle poet in ‘Foothills’
The Foothills Poetry Series will feature Seattle poet Marc Hudson at noon Thursday, April 13, in the Little Theater. In addition to being a poet, Hudson is a teacher of English at the University of Washington. Mr. Hudson also hold a B.A. degree from Georgetown and a M.A. in creative writing from the U.W. Hudson has worked as lifeguard, psychiatric aide and environmental planner. He says he is a naturalist of sorts, fond of back country and solitary places. A recent published book of Mr. Hudson’s is “Island.” Other poems of his appear in Prairie Schooner, Shenandoah, Poetry Northwest, Cutbank, Anglo-Welsch Review, California Quarterly, Porch, Spring Rain and a forthcoming issue of Poetry.