September 26, 1974 FIAT LUX, ALFRED, NEW YORK 1
Richard Rose: Past and Present u
nivCouncil Elects Student
Chairman
In sixteen years Richard Rose, the eleventh president of Alfred University, has come
a long way.
Selected for the presidency after an extensive search begun last spring, Dr. Rose, 41, left his former capacity as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Education in August. Situated in the Pentagon, he was mainly
» responsible for policy and fiscal direction of all educa- tional programs within the Defense Department.
Before his two years in Washington, D.C., President Rose served in various aca- demic a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e positions at the Universitv of Pittsburg for ten years. There he was primarily responsible for the guidance and planning of four regional campuses, while concurrently serving as Assistant Provost and as Associate Professor of Edu-
* cation. Academic planning, curriculum development and implementation of a master plan figured among his duties.
His doctorate in Higher Education A d m i n i s t r a t i o n was earned at the University of Pittsburg, while his Mas- ters in Counseling came from
1 Westminster College. He g r a d u a t e d in 1955 from Slippery Rock State College, Pa. with a major in Social Studies and Speech.
After three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Dr. Rose started off his professional career teaching high school social studies in the Lake-
^ view, Pa. school system where he later served as guidance counselor.
Active community mem- bers, Dr. and Mrs. Rose have three sons, aged 16, 15 and 5.
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At a local press conference last Tuesday, President Rose responded to various ques- tions dealing with the national role of private higher educa- tional institutions.
He feels t h a t p r i v a t e colleges today face a real challenge which will neces- sarily cause changes in the normal pattern of operations for such schools. Better management strategies must i be developed and the resour- c e s of the schools must be
better utilized. President Rose stated that the failure rate of private schools may be due to over-planning on the part of educators, the fact that potential students are choosing other alternatives and to a lower birth rate.
He believes that the signifi- cant failure raté of private colleges is the natural conse- quence of over-building of the educational system without accounting for changed phil- osophies toward education.
Ten years ago, the "correct solution" was that all high school graduates should con- tinue their higher education.
Now students are looking at a wider range of choices that / m i g h t be more meaningful to
» the individual. The lack of student population growth must call for new national
» strategies while state and federal governements must 'realize private education as a
national resource.
F i n a n c i a l l y , p r i v a t e col- leges and universitites should re-evaluate their efficiency levels and perhaps look to the
cutting back of non-essential programs and the develop- ment of b e t t e r t e a c h i n g methods. Dr. Rose thinks that because education is not a simple economic market, it is difficult for schools to antici- pate or define the population they must serve. As inflation effects tuition, the rise in costs must be noted for it's effect on or denial of potential student populations. Presi- dent Rose suggests t h a t greater emphasis should be placed on the co-mingling of working and learning exper- iences, student loans and deferred payments to help supplement high tuition costs.
When asked about the role of R.O.T.C. on college camp- uses, Dr. Rose remarked that th^/presence of such depart- ments is appropiate and offer students another educational opportunity. He feels that the R.O.T.C. units should be geared more to their acade- mic settings and should utilize more of the resources on the campuses, such as psychology and management courses.
Dr. Rose went on to say that he would like to see R.O.T.C.
courses evaluated the same as any other Liberal Arts course, the Army faculty members exposed to more non-R.O.T.C. students, and these courses open to all students. Faculty staffing should be considered the same as other teachers with o n - c a m p u s i n t e r v i e w s , in- stead of Army appointments.
President Rose summed up his thoughts by saying that p r i v a t e institutions should anticipate" the needs of the society to a greater extent.
There is a large range of possibilities open to colleges and these should be consider- ed.
********
Next week: A look at Richard Rose, The Man.
St. Pat's Board Off to an Early Start
Although it's only Septem- ber, the St. Pat's Board is already working on plans for the next weekend in .1975.
St. Pat's Celebration, traditionally, has been a function of the engineering department, but it's now planned by the whole univer- sity. This year's tentative dates are March 14-16, 1975 and there is alot of work involved: concert, the Open House, favor construction, parade, publicity and theme.
Students from all years and majors are invited to join the Board in making this year's St. Pat's an unforgetable weekend. The Board meets every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the Campus Center. Any q u e s t i o n s p l e a s e c o n t a c t : Helen Hergenroder (871-3481 ( or Skip Waterstraat (587- 8025). Come on-this weekend will be only as great as those planning it can make it. St.
Pat's needs you.
This year's University - Council c a l l e d i t s ' s f i r s t meeting to order on Sept. 12, 1974. The first order of business was the introduction of the delegates. A question was then raised as to whether a supporting staff member should be on the Sterring Committee again, as during the past year. Amotion was made and seconded that two members of the supporting staff be on the Steering Committee. An amendment was made that the number be reduced to one. This motion was passed unanimously.
The next order of business w a s the election of a University Council chairman.
Nominees included Bob Sloan, Dean Barker (declined) Bill Wilcox, and Garrett Drop- pers. The vote was taken and Bill Wilcox was the elected chairman.
Vice-chairman nominations were for Bob Sloan, Kean King, Jo Johnston, and Woody Alange with Woody Lange elected.
The members of the Steer- ing Committee were then elected. These included:
Administrators-Deans King and Lawrence, Faculty mem- bers-Martin and Bentz, Stu- dents-Angle Autera and Kevin Martyn, and Support- ing Staff-Jo Johnston.
i ne next agenda item was the report from the Committee on Higher Education. There was an examination of the first proposal, with Steve Phillips r e p o r t i n g on the Keller Plan (modular in- structing). The plan: 1) assumes that students learn differently, 2) believes that, in the normal undergraduate course with normal under- graduate course with normal undergraduate students, a high level of mastery is possible. It therefore follows that a) units of learning must be time-free and b) a high level of mastery can be obtained through repeated testing. After a discussion period, a motion was made and passed that the Univer- sity Council accept the pro- posal and send it to the university faculties c/o the Academic Vice President.
The second proposal, to establish a faculty teaching center, was presented by Keith Higbee for Dan David- son (on leave). A motion was passed that the necessary Audio-Visual e q i p m e n t be purchased and supplied to the teaching center.
The third proposal, Love- Hate Story, concerning atti- tudes toward education, was tabled.
A call for agenda items for the next meeting produced the suggestion that the University Council meet twice a month, for shorter periods of time, r a t h e r t h a n the p r e s e n t monthly s c h e d u l e . The meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.
S. A. Continues Nominations
The Student Assembly started it's second week off with a continuation of nominations for openings on the various standing committees. Additional nominations were:
U Affirmative Action-Monica Weber Computing Services-Tom Slocum f Herrick Library-Ken Rice
f Student Hearing Board (faculty)-Drs. Bentz and Trice II Student Appeals-Bob Frank, Frank Knee, Martin Hollander, Tom Kemp
K Student Grievance-Frank Knee University Council-Martin Hollander
The highlights of the evening included the decision by Dr.
Odle to ban alcoholic beverages in their original containers from Merrill Field on the days of home football games, for safety and litter reasons. The Assembly accepted the ban of bottles and tin cans, but questioned the ban on beer kegs, since these are too expensive to leave behind.
The next issue brought before the S.A. was in the form of a letter from Marty Moore, the head of Alumni-Parent Affairs.
He suggested changing the Homecoming Queen to a Homecoming Award. The Assembly thought the Homecoming Queen should be picked by Faculty and student representatives, rather than just by faculty members as has been done previously. It was suggested that the young lady picked should be more community-minded. Members felt that the competition should be more than just a beauty pageant.
The final issue concerned the revised Assembly Constitution which came into effect on May 7, 1974. Since copies were not distributed to the Assembly members at large, a motion wasmade to provide money for publication of the Constitution.
Physical Plant Calls for Help in Lowering Costs
During February of 1974 Alfred University used 28.5%
less p o w e r t h a n d u r i n g February, 1973. The cost decrease was 20%. In May, 1974, 30% less power was used than the previous May;
but the cost decrease was a mere 4%. The power bill for
May, 1974, was $9,467; and rates keep climbing.
Your Physical Plant was made a determined effort to reduce power consumption by 1) shutting down ventilating systems at night. 2) Installing thermostatic valves on radia- t o r s ( K a n a k a d e a , Seidlin, Bartlett.) 3) Reducing office and corridor lighting. 4) Reducing heat in all buildings.
5) Installing fluorescent and m e r c u r y v a p o r lights to replace inefficient, less econ- omical incandescent lights in classrooms and outdoor fix- tures.
We are presently studying the feasibility of replacing some light sources with High Intensity Discharge Lamps that provide better light, have a longer life and cost less, in labor, to replace. We will continue to search for better ways to conserve energy and cut costs overall. But...
We need your help, and everyone can help by:
1. Turning off fluorescent lights when you will be out of the room more than 20 minutes.
2. Turning off incandes- cents when not in use.
3. Judicious use of coffee pots, radios, stereos, fans, etc.
4. Keep windows closed during the heating season.
5. Use a minimum of hot water. Showers should be for personal cleanliness, not for steam baths. There are s a u n a s a v i l a b l e for t h a t purpose. Use only what you need to, then shut off the shower head, bath, lavatory or sink faucet.
6. Report leaking faucets or shower heads to your Head Resident. He will notify the Physical Plant.
7. When using the laundry facilities, shut off the dryer as soon as the clothes, have dried. The University absorbs
the cost of operating these facilities while the profit received for the use of the washers is returned to the Student Affairs Office to be used for programming in the residence halls.
Incidentally, the cost of paper and hand towels and toilet tissue increased by 63% over the past year. Use only what you must.
With your consistent co- operation the dollars YOU help save will be reflected in the lower total operating costs of the University.
Exchange Program N o w O f f e r e d In May, 1974, the 1975-76 competition for grants for graduate study abroad offer- ed under the Mutai Education Exchange Program (Fulbright- Hays) and by foreign govern- ments, universities and pri- vate donors was officially opened by the Institute of I n t e r n a t i o n a l E d u c a t i o n . Now, only a few more weeks remain in which qualified graduate students may apply for one of the 550 awards which are available to 52 countries.
Most of the grants offered provide round-trip transpor- tation, tuition and mainten- ance for one academic year; a few p r o v i d e i n t e r n a t i o n a l travel only or a stipend intended as a partial grant-in- aid.
Candidates must be U. S.
citizens at t h e time of application, hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent by the beginning date of the grant, have language ability com- mensurate with the demands of the proposed study proj- ects, and good health.
Preference is given to those between 20 and 35 years of age.
Application forms and fur- ther information for students currently enrolled in Alfred University may be obtained from the campus Filbright Program Adviser Mr. Gary B.
Ostrwer, who is located in Kanakader Hall. The dead:
line for filing applications on this campus is October 7.
Sex in Fashion The fall semester of sex forums got underway Monday night with Ten Heavy Facts about Sex, presented by Dr.
Gordan, professor of child and family studies at Syra- cuse University. The forum was very well attended and included some returnees from last year. Questions and answers were rewarded with a prize such as a booklet on abortions, birth control or other related topics and a comic book concerning the ten heavy facts was distributed following the forum.
The main thrust of Dr.
Gordan's lecture was the importance of sex education for our own children. He did not suggest reliance on the school systems or other sources which tend to side step uncomfortable issues.
One must become an "ask- able" parent and allow the child to explore for them- selves. This might tend to send many a parent rushing for a substitute toy. One misconception held by many parents is the fact that any unaccepted action a child partake in has sexual conno- tations. Yet this is a false notion since a child has his own sense of modesty which he is aware of. Ninety-five percent of all college students marry regardless of their best intentions. To add to this the only age group in which the birthrate has not dropped is the teenage. This sums up to the fact that potential parents had better keep up on sex education and learn to ans- wer questions openly and honestly.
Some of the ten heavy facts were concerned with - fairly basic ideas such as master- bation. homosexuality and orgasms. Present society seems to be so intent in the s e a r c h for " t h e ultimate orgasm" that is has resulted in numerous "rules" con- cerning sex. These step by step instructions tend to overemphasize the physical aspect and to de-emphasize the emotional aspect. One may wonder who the average couple is that is used as the example to follow. The fact is, the "average couple" who supposedly has sex 2.8 times per week does not exist. The moral to be learned is-what- ever is best for you should be followed, " a l l thoughts, dreams, and impulses are normal." Possibly a relieving thought to many! The definition of abnormal sex is that which is exploitive, involuntary and unenjoyable, while normal sex is the opposite. There are no rules to be followed, for whatever feels right for you should govern your actions. It is one's own perference in this world of fashionable sex.
This view tends to leave a wide, unexplored territory in the field of sex and relation- s h i p s ~ a n a r e a definitely worth looking into.
Financial Aid Over-worked
All university students have at one time or another, employed the assistance of the Financial Aid Office, whether it be to procure student loans and scholar- ships of to apply for the college work-study program and campus jobs.
Since its creation in 1969, the office has serviced an increasing number of stu- dents each year, and, at present, is handling almost 2,000 cases. This number may not sound too phenome- nal until one considers who is responsible for getting the job done. The entire traffic of student application is handled personally by Director Char- les Puree, his secretary Kathy Grahm and four part-time work-study students.
Most people have no conception of the different kinds of a s s i s t a n c e that Financial Aid Office is expec- ted to provide. Through the
CCFL Offers Wide Range
of Choices
Did you know that you can increase the choices you have for study, now that you are a student of Alfred University?
Together. Alfred University.
Cazenovia College. Elmira College, and Hartwick College belong to a consortium called College Center of the Finger Lakes. The CCFL student access program, which en- ables students to live and study at another CCFL cam- pus at no extra cost, is just one of the many opportunities available to A.U.students.
CCFL was founded in 1961 and reorganized in 1971 to:
"improve the quality and i n c r e a s e the n u m b e r of distinctive education oppor- tunities for students and faculty; to serve as a facilitator for e d u c a t i o n a l cahnge. to achieve long tern economies for member col- leges and to sponsor pro- grams that are of direct service to the state and region."
In order to extend the students learning experience beyond the classroom, CCFL operates various types of campuses around the world.
Enviromental studies majors can take advantage of The Finger Lakes Institute at Watktns Glen, New York. It is a year round field station on Seneca Lake with two sixty- five foot vessels, a laboratory- lecture complex and student- faculty housing. CCFL's San-Salvador campus offers research Droerams to partici- pants who want to learn about enviromental relation- ships and who want to provide services to the Ba- hamian people. Art, Music, Drama and Dance opportuni- ties are centralized in New York City and at an art studio in Paris.
A n n o u n c e m e n t s of the many CCFL specific oppor- tunities available to Alfred University students, this year, will be published in The Fiat lux, This week at Alfred,...etc.
For information on all CCFL programs, including the ones mentioned, please contact Dr.
Frank Trice, CCFL Deputy Director, at 87182254, or Jill Hirschfeld, CCFL student as- istant at Alfred, 871-3423.
small office behind the ad- missions building flows all the applications for A.U. grants and scholarships, National Direct Student Loans. Federal Nursing loand and scholar- ships. College Work-study, campus jobs. Supplemental Economic Opportunity Grants and Basci Educational Op- portunity Grants to name a few. This last grant, the BEOG. has caused increased work in the office since all freshmen and sophomores are expected to apply.
In addition to the afore- mentioned federal grants and loans, all out-of-state loans must be reviewed by Mr.
Puree and this amounts to practically 800 loan applica- tions of this type per year.
According to the Alfred University Financial Aid pol- icy. the p u r p o s e of the Financial Aid program is to
"provide monetary assistance to students who can benefit from further education, but who can not do so without such assistance." Also, the University believes that "the education of a young person is. w h e n e v e r possible, a personal and family obliga- tion. Therefore, parents are expected to make a sacrificial contribution from their in- come and assets, and the students themselves are ex- pected to contribute to their education from their summer earnings, from outside re- sources and from part-time employment during the year."
As is made obvious by the back-logged applications stacked in the office, the Financial Aid Department has their hands full. But hopefully, despite the in- creasing numbers of students requesting aid, the depart- ment will be able to meet its demands.
Civil Service Test Replaced
The U.S. Civil Service Commisiion announced this past summer that the Federal Service Entrance Exam is being replaced in October 1974 by a new Professional and Administrative Career Examination (PACE).
PACE will serve as a principal means of entry into the Federal civil service for college graduates and other with appropriate responsible work experience. PACE, like its predecessor, will be a single examination used to fill a variety of entrance-level positions of a professional, administrative, or technical nature. Specialized civil service examinations cover- ing professional positions in engineering, science, ac- counting and some other fields, as well as separate examinations for positions at grades above entry levels, will continue unchanged.
PACE will differ from the examination it replaces in a number of ways. The written test to be used as part of the next examination plan has been redesigned to incorpor- ate major changes in both content and coverage. Based on extensive professinal re- s e a r c h into the abilities needed on the job, the written test will measure a wider range of abilities.
The new 5-part test battery
Hat Lux Bulletin Board
There will be a meeting for all pre-law students on Tues.,
October 1 at 830 P.M. in Kanakadea Hall, room2. Information on the LSAT's and procedures for applying will be discussed.
• • • • • •
WANTED BY THE LAW, a conference for women, will be
sponsored by the Women's Law Caucus at Syracuse University Law School. The conference will be held at E.I. White Hall on the university campus. Focusing on exploring the role of women using and being abused by the law. Also, it will discuss the recruiting of women into the field of law. Highlighting the meeting will be Mary Anne Krupsak, N.Y.S. Senator and Judith Younger, new dean of the Syracuse Law School will present the opening address. In addtion, there will be two panel discussions featuring women litigants and women practition- ers in Iwa. Recruiters and catalogs from law schoolw around the U.S. will be available, along with day care and assistance in finding lodging. For further information, write or call c/o Syracuse University College of Law or phone evenings 315-472-0683 or 607-753-3982.
• • • • • •
The Alfred University Sky Diving Club will hold its first
meeting Sept. 30th at 8 P.M. in the Parent's Lounge. The meeting will be sponsored by the Ripcord Sky Diving Club of Rochester. For further information call Chris Bain at 871-3283.
• • • • • • ,
ARTISTS! If you would like your two dimensional work in
the yearbook, then tell us. If we agree and have room, then so be it. If its large, we'll photograph it and then decide whether or not it's applicable. Call Chris Bain at 871-3283 and leave ' name and number.
Horseback Riding lessons are now being offered at ,••••••
Brentwood Stables in Angelica. Call 587-8226, betwee 10 A.M.
and 2 P.M. or nights, for information concerning private or group lessons. Six lessons for $35.
• • • • • •
The Women's Swim meet with Fredonia College, scheduled
for Nov. 21 at Alfred, has been cancelled. Fredonia will come to Alfred on Nov. 14th and will participate in a double dual meet with Wells College at 7 P.M. at the Lebohner Pool.
• • • • • •
Interested in playing Lacrosse? If so, come to Lacrosse
practice Monday and Thursday nights at 6 P.M. at the practice field, next to the Tennis Courts. Two or more scrimages are planned for the Fall season. Equipment may be obtained from Coach Len Obergfell at McLane Center. Any questions, call Bruce Baschuk at 587-8814.
• • • • • •
Captian T.E. Hampton of the U.S. Marine Corps Officer
Selection team will be in Allen Hall on Oct. 2 to talk to all undergraduates interested in Marine Officer Programs. Find out how you can earn $100 a month while in school and a commission as a Marine Lieutenant when you graduate.
• • • • • •
The second annual ski swap will be held at Swain Ski Center
on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6, from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. The sale is open without charge to buyers and sellers of used ski equipment and clothing. Sellers will be responsible for their own articles and will be free to sell or swap without the usual commission due the sponsor. Swain Ski Shop personnel will be available for advice or to help with change if needed.
• • • • • •
The Alfred University Ecology Group announces it has
resuned recycling operations at it's location behind Flaherty Hall. Hours of collection are from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturdays. Please bundle all papers, remove all rings, caps, lids from glass and remove labels from cans; crush cans if possible. We would appreciate aluminum being seperated >
from other cans. Thank you.
...Also, would anyone who left a wastebasket, barrel or dresser drawer with us for our contest last year, please come by and pick them up some Saturday morning, or leave a note in the Ecology Group mailbox in the Campus Center and we can arrange to have you pick it up sometime.
• • • • • •
TYPISTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE FIAT LUX-PAYMENT WILL BE ARRANGED. WE NEED HELP!!!
• • • • • • Such academic standing will be recognized by combining additional point credit for outstanding scholarship with ratings in the written test. So t h a t a final examination rating can be determined by this new method, all candi- dates will be required to take the written test, regardless of class standing.
The new PACE examination will be issued in October. The first written test is planned for November 1974, and subsequent exams will be held monthly from January through May of 1975.
The Career Planning &
Placement Office in Allen Hall will have information on test centers as well as PACE forms by the end of this month.
will provide an improved tool for matching candidate with jobs. Eligible candidates will be r e f e r r e d for specific positions according to the relative importance of differ- ent measured abilitie, as indicated by test results, to successful performance in different job categories. ~
The previous provisions for ^ recognizing o u t s t a n d i n g s c h o l a r s h i p will also be changed in the PACE exam- ination. Applicants who rank in the upper 10 percent of their graduating classes, or who have a 3.5 grade point average on a scale of 4.0, will • continue to be eligible in the examination on the basis of their academic standing.
September 26, 1974 FIAT LUX, ALFRED, NEW YORK 3
Alfred Divides: The Pros and Cons of New System
Alfred Welcomes Foreign Students
On the map, Alfred is a tiny dot in the Alleghany Moun- tains, but every fall the world beats a path to its doorstep.
Drawn by the opportunities offered by the two univer- sities, this school year has
* brought another 36 students from 22 different countries, with Africa predominating at the Alfred Ag. Tech.: Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, the Re- public of S i e r r a Leone, Malawi, Jamaica, the Philli- pines, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, El Salvador, India, Holland, - C a n a d a , Spain, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Taiwan and the Bahamas are all repre- sented.
World Friends, a club for internationals and their com-
* munity friends, invites all interested to attend a wel- come dinner on Friday, September 27th at 6 p.m. at the Alfred Tech. Lake Lodge.
Guests are asked to meet at 5:50 at the Alfred Post Office, where the students may be picked up, and to call Mrs.
Merill Rice, Mrs. Herbert Ehrig or Mrs. John Vagell, all of Alfred.
The new students are fast assimilating impressions of their new surroundings; their emotional and mental lenses are receiving image after image formed a g r a d u a l a n s w e r to the question, ' "What is America?" And
that questions was in their minds, no doubt, long before they arrived, as the outflow of bad news and violent films made their impact.
However, there is another side to America, about which few movies are made and which does not make head- lines. It is represented by the kindly and decent people who live quietly in every town.
Perhaps the impact of such people on a foreigner is best illustrated by the following letter from an Afghanistan student who had returned to his country, written to his host family: "Most of the people here did not know k about the kindness a n d
hospitality of American peo- ple. They had a wrong idea and w e r e thinking t h a t A m e r i c a n s a r e a proud people. I explained them my stay in the States and all hospitalities, kindness and helpfulness of the American people. I told them that is right Americans are proud, but hardworking, proud of their good educational sys- tem, proud of their way of life and proud of their helpfulness and kindness to foreign people living in their country.
When I explained them everything very well, they were so glad. They told me it is very nice pride of Ameri- t cans and really they should
be proud of all these good characters that you told us and we did not know about before."
For those who have the time and the interest to introduce an international student to a kinder side of life, World Friends is an opportunity.
The club was formed as a result of an awareness of the difficulties besetting a foreign student, not the least of which
Beginning with the Fall semester, the proposal of the A.U. Master Plan to consoli- date the seventeen Liberal Arts departments into no less than four or no more than seven divisions, over a three year period, was finalized.
The department of Liberal Arts has grouped itself into six divisions which are:
Humanities (formerly the Eng- lish, Foreign Languages and Speech and Dramatic Arts) under the chairmanship of Dr.
David M. Ohara, professor of English; Behavioral Sciences (formerly Political Science, Sociology and Psychology departments) under the chair- manship of Dr. Robert A.
Heineman, associate profes- sor of Political Science; and Science and Mathematics (formerly departments of Bio- logy, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics and Physics) under the chairmanship of Dr.
Richard D. Sands, professor of Chemistry.
is apt to be loneliness. World Friends, with its monthly outing or p a r t i e s , bring international students from both schools together and puts them in touch with interested Americans. Mem- bers also offer practical help in the form of a ride to Hornell or Wellsville to shop, or in the loan of warm clothing and blankets, or w h a t e v e r is needed.
Through the community contacts the club is in a postion to aid the schools' foreign student advisors in finding host families for those students who want one, and the letter from Afghanistan shows, a host family can make a profound difference in a student's live.
The engulfing • loneliness which sometimes besets the newcomer, cut off from family ties and limited by language barriers to somewhat simple expressions of his feelings, probably has to be experience to be appreciated. Several years ago a young man from Bangladesh wrote the follow- ing to our family: "If I had not met you, I could not have continued at the university;
nobody cared if I came or went, so I was about to give up. I am thankful to God that He sent you and that now I can talk with you about my problems and successes and know that someone cares about me." Our efforts had been casual and we had not realized their importance to him. Although the university he attended had a fine foreign student advisor, he minister- ed to many, and there is that need in all of us for a particular friend or family
Host families, ideally, fill that need. Very briefly, a host family should be one who will offer a continuing friendship, include the student in occa- sional outings or family get- togethers; and even though often the student's life is too busy to accept much hospita- lity (he usually has to work twice as hard as an American student and is usually a highly dedicated student), the family should keep in touch by telephone or letter, show concern for his welfare and be on hand when help is needed. Holidays are lonely times when one is far from
Prior to the fall, the following divisions had been effective: Human Studies (formerly History and Philo- sophy), under the chairman- ship of Dr. Garrett Droppers, associate professor of history;
Education (programs in ele- mentary and secondary edu- cation), under the chairman- Ship of Dr. Willian J. Walker, associate professor of educa- tion and Special Programs
(academic offerings including environmental studies, Track II and military science), under the c h a i r m a n s h i p of Dr.
George C. Towe, professor of Physics.
According to Dr. James A.
Taylor, dean of the college of Liberal Arts, the reason for the proposal was to achieve economic savings and to promote multi-disciplinary study.
Dr. Taylor mentioned that htthere has been a strong feeling in many campuses that the academic departments
"form their own worlds." He said, he does not believe that this is a very serious problem on Alfred's campus because it has the advantage of being small and closely knit. Yet there was a feeling within the Master Plan Committee that there were too many small departments and that bigger groupings were inorder, to foster greater cooperation among individual courses.
It was argued by the former President Miles and presum- ably the Master Plan Commit- tee that regrouping into divisions was an economical move. There would be a need for fewer secretaries, and having six division chairmen, where there were formerly fourteen, would leave eight professors more time to spend in classes. The development of divisions allows the con- venience of substituting a teacher from one field to another, as is needed. There is also the possibility of more than one class being com- bined under one teacher.
As Dean Taylor see its, "the outward evidence is that we aren't going to economize, although I believe it is really too early to tell." He noted that the budgets from the seperate departments have merely been added together under the new divisions and t h a t if faculty m e m b e r s decide to create new course, it would end up costing money
for the necessary teaching devices. It was his viewpoint that money was saved by simply keeping the same amount of secretaries as last year, rather than adding more, as requested by the old departments.
Dr. Taylor indicated that the faculty was opposed to the idea of regrouping into divisions. He went on to say that their argument was that the individual disciplines would be lost within too big a unit. Yet, he added, the University is in unsteady times in regard to tenure, promotion and many teachers fear that division chairmen will not be able to know their individual cases as well as a department chairman would.
Dr. Garrett Droppers, of the Human Studies division, ac- knowledged that he now has less contact with faculty members than he had as department chairman of His- tory two years ago. Yet, he added, there has been no evidence that this has result- ed in problems concerning tenure. He said that his faculty like the divisional arrangement, "but are con- tinuing to evaluate it." Dr.
Droppers went on to say that he has not had to reduce his number of classes but has found it difficult to begin new ones due to lack of time. He noted that he Human Studies division consists of only fifteen members and that he does not believe all the other divisions will realize educa- tional benefits because of their greater sizes. He added that the resulting greater degree of impersonalization may have a negative impact on students.
Dr. Droppers declared that in the formation of divisions, economy has taken priority over educational objectives.
The Master Plan, he stated, deals almost entirely with economic to the exclusion of educational considerations.
He added that the faculty in the Human Studies division are skeptical for this reason.
In his estimation, "The administration has not been gracious in offering incentive to expand. They are playing a numbers game." Faculty are f a c e d with accounting schemes to fill their classes, rather than encouraged to be better teachers. This, he says, is "unfair to students."
Counseling Groups Scheduled
This fall the following groups will be held at the Counseling Center, 10 Park Street, and will be open to the University Community (student, faculty, administraotrs, staff and their wives and husbands):
UNCONSCIOUS PROCESS A ND DREA M INTERPRET A TION
For persons who are seriously concerned about exploring the existence and effects of unconscious processes and how they are experessed in dreams, fantasy and everyday behavior.GROUP 1 meets on Monday, 4 to 530 P.M. beginning October 14th for six weeks. The leaders are Dr. Bert Cunin and Mr.
Alan Fairbanks.
AWARENESS GROUPS
These experiences are designed to increase personal and interpersonal awareness. Through the process of greater self-awareness, you may be able to better use your potential for deeper and more meaningful relationships with others.
GROUP 2 meets Wednesday, 7 to 9 P.M. beginning October 9 for six weeks. The leaders are Miss Lola Lovell and Mr.
Nathan Zimmerman.
GROUP3meetsThursday,7to9 P.M. beginning October 17 for six weeks. The leaders are Mrs. Dorothy M. Towe and Dr. Bert Cunin.
MARATHON
GROUP4 will meet Sunday, 1 to 9 P.M., November 17. There will be a $3 fee for food service. The leaders are Mrs. Dorothy M. Towe and Dr. Bert Cunin.
Registration for groups will take place at the Counseling Center, 10 Park Street. Please see the secretary between 830 A.M. to noon and 1 to 430 P.M., Monday, September 30 through Thursday, October 3. Whenever possible, participants will be assigned to groups on a "first come, first served" basis. It is suggested that you list your first and second choices when signing up.
home, and this is a time when hospitality is very much appreciated.
Ideally, the international student will fit in so well he is
"one of the family" and that is a happy situation all around.
But, human temperaments vary, and such close bonds are not always formed, of course. However, the host family program is a regarding opportunity in the field of international understanding and personal friendship.
More information about the program will be avilable at the World Friends dinner.
To those interested in the Host Family program or those interested simply in getting acquainted with international students, World Friends ex- tends a warm welcome.
ALFRED
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• Soccer & Football Shoes®
JANSPORT PACKS — All Sizes Hiking Boots
Shotguns • Rifles • Handguns
FALL A M M O SPECIALS (Hunting Licenses Available)
Tennis« Squash« Paddle Racquets SPECIAL: Bancroft Tennis Balls,
3/$2
50 Reg. $300 per Can Champion Handball Gloves f r o m $625O p e n Sunday - Friday
ROTC Summer (.amp <;halleiijuj<*s \ .»liege Representatives
by Nikki Humphrey Imagine if you will, a swarm of about 200 college p r e s i d e n t s , deans, faculty members and myself tramping through the hot, dusty brush of North Carolina. The innocent b y s t a n d e r would probably think we were either engaged in a snake hunt or else crazy.
Actually, we were institu- tional representatives from 103 colleges and universities located in the East, observing the rigorous training of 1,640 R.O.T.C. cadets during the 1974 Advanced Camp. The six week Camp was designed to "develop leadership talents decision-making capabilities and to challenge, both men- tally and physically, future Army officers Training included rifle marksmanship communications, land navi gation, tactics, overnight biv ouacs, physical fitness train ing, and leadership reaction Emphasis is placed on practi cal application of on-campus classroom instruction
So, for three days in the middle of luly, we were simultaneously horrified, a- mazed and changed as we observed the various training programs that our cadets went through It was only
"human nature' that caused us to arrive 1 there with definite pre-concieved ideas about the military in general.
Yet. it took only three days to change the way many of us lelt about the Army.
The activities that we observed included:
1, L e a d e r s h i p Reaction Course-where groups of ap- proximately five cadets, with one serving as the leader, were faced with obstacle or problems which were to be solved in a certain time span.
Points were gained or lost as the leader organized the solving of, for example, how to suspend a plank over two poles, when the plank is just that much too short.
Co-operation was necessary for the group's success and we, the observers, found ourselves contemplating our own solutions.
2. Anti-Armor Training—was to familiarize the men with the proper procedures in- volved in mortar and artillery firing. It was surprising to realize how much planning, checking and recording was involved with pulling a string to shoot one of those huge guns.
3. Anti-Armor Training-was to teach the cadets various methods for dismantling a tank and to accustom them to the necessary weaponry.
4, Machine Gun Training- which sharpened marksman- ship skills with pistols and machine guns. The cadets were also taught to clean, assemble and dismantle the weapons in as short a time as possible. Many of the representatives almost broke their arms trying to also shoot the guns.
Platoon Defensive and Offensive Techniques-were taught to the cadets and practical experience was had as they developed defensive positioning and offensive tac- tics in the simulated battle fields.
6, RECONDO Training-which was designed to build confi-
Student Representative tests effectiveness of confidence building exercise at R.O.T.C. Summer Camp
effectiveness from the whole Camp program.
The entire conference was a informative experience for most of us who were not
^familiar with the Army R.O.T.C. way. Contact with numerous cadets, instructors and Army personnel brought about the realization that there are real people in the military-not just killing ma- chines. The social life on the b a s e did not lack for activities, movies, bars, dance halls, clubs, etc., although many of us though otherwise.
All in all, the college administrators learned just exactly what was happening with their students and I changed alot of pre-concieved notions I had entertained before the visit. Lesson: don't knock it until you know what it's all about.
dence in the cadets' physical and mental abilities. This part of the training was, to most of us, the most horrifying part of the program. We stood on the banks of the riyer while these college juniors and seniors from our schools were made to run through the most inhumane exercises.
Dressed in full gear, these guys had to run through the training area yelling at the top of their lungs to the foot of a 40' tower where, after recieving vocal abuse from some nasty sargeant, they had to climb the ladder and crawl out over the river on a 2" tightrope. Permission had to be asked for to drop into a hanging position and then to mercifully plunge into the water. This to us seemed physically and mentally de- meaning and totally unnec- cessary, until we began to realize the effectiveness of the event. Imagine the relief of the cadet who successfully overcomes his fear of heights.
Yet, the poor boy was not done-he still had to climb out of the water and run, still yelling, to the foot of another tower where he had to slide down a slanting rope at about 40 m.p.h. until he was almost at water level, when he could let go of the pulley devise.
Rappelling w a s a n o t h e r RECONDO exercise. This involved sort of sliding and jumping down a straight wall, hanging onto nothing but a piece of rope. This was also designed to build confidence, which, I g a t h e r e d from first-hand experience, it does.
At any rate, after conver- sation with the other repre- sentatives and some Army instructors, it seemed that our initial horror was replaced with a respect for and an understanding of the psycho- locical processes which were utilized in developing these exercises. It seemed that the instructors knew just how far they could push the cadets and how to achieve the most
SOLUTION TO DOUBLE CROSS-UP No. 6
Black Awareness Schedule Events
Thursday, September 26-
The last day of black artist Palmer Hayden's "Southern Scenes and City Lights" exhibit at the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery.Friday, September 27-
"Fresh Flavor" in concert at 9 P.M. in the Harder Hall auditorium. Sponsored by Student Activities Board and Society for Afro-American Awareness. I.D.s necessary for admission.
Saturday, September 28-
Nikki Giovanni, "princess of black poetry" at the Tech S.A.C. Building at 815 P.M. Sponsored by Student Activities Council and Black Student's Union. A.U. or Tech I.D.s needed.Sunday, September 29-
Movie "Wattstax" at the Tech S.A.C. auditorium at 730 P.M. Sponsored by the Student Activities Council and Black Students Union.
Captain Trivia
The Trivia contest is in full bloom again, but we need more contestants! This week's winner was Clark Averill, who got all five right.
Runners-up were John Campione, Bruce Aikin and Leadfoot, with four out of five. Clark wins a free pass to the movie of his choice, compliments of Nevins Campus Theater.
The Captain takes to the air this year, on WALF, at 9 o'clock on Thursday evenings, so stay tuned.
Las week's answers:
1. Tarot suits—cups, wands, pentacles and swords.
2. The flesh of a cling peach clings to the stone, unlike an Alberta peach, which is a "free stone" peach.
3. Perseus lopped off the Medusa's head while looking at her reflection In Achille's shield.
4. Record for an Atlantic crossing is one hour and 56 minutes by a U.S.
spy plane.
5. Fiat Lux means "let there be light."
This week's questions:
1. Who or what is an Orrery named for?
2. In ceramics, what do the initials P.C.E. stand for?
3. In what story does the character "Charles Proteus" appear?
4. Where does the Ohio river start?
5. What two men simultaneously invented the Calculas?
BONUS QUESTION:
professor is in love
What famous, balding, red-haired, with the T.V. character "Maud"?
Ph.D. history
Alfred Green
Chlorophytum elatum Chlorophytum variegatum The spider plant gets its name from the unusual manor in which it reproduces. It is one of the most h a r d y houseplants available. There are several varieties of spider plants: elatum has dark green leaves and variegatum is green and white striped.
The spider plants' leaves grow from a central point and usually grows to about 12 inches long. When the plant is mature it sends out a spike that bears small white flow- ers, after the flowers have dropped off new little plants start to develop. As they get bigger their weight will gradually make the spike gracefully hand down. These
A. Shortsighted B. Twisted C. E f f o r t l e s s D. Penthouses E. H u m i l i a t i o n F. Extension G. Neanderthal H. Chitchat
Ravage Abacus N a t i v i t y Eaves T r a j e c t i o n Halfway
Pachyderms Eggs on Numerous Bituminous O f f and on 0. Eats
P. Outwit
V. Avoiding W. T a f f e t a s
AUTHOR: Stephen Crane TITLE: The Open Boat QUOTATION:
A s i n g u l a r disadvantage o f the sea l i e s i n the f a c t t h a t a f t e r s u c c e s s f u l l y surmounting one wave you discover t h a t there i s another behind i t j u s t as important and anxious t o do something e f f e c t i v e i n the way o f swamping boats.
plants can be cut off the mother plant and planted.
They will quickly grow and give you more plants.
For the best growth and development you spider plant should be in a mixture of V%
potting soil, Vs sand and V4 peat moss. It likes bright morning or late-afternoon sun but it will make due with low light situations. You should water it only when the top of the soil is dry. If you leave it for a few days don't worry about it as the roots contain enough water to last about five days. You should feed your plant once a month, March-September, with a water soluble plant food.
COLLEGE BOOKSTORE
HUGE RECORD SALE!
Large Selection of JAZZ and ROCK
M 99 and s 2 99
SPECIAL DISCOUNT PRICES ON AND
TOP 30 ALBUMS
Code E:
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September 26, 1974 FIAT LUX, ALFRED, NEW YORK 5
FIAT LUX
VOL. 62, No. 1
ALFRED, N.Y.
Sept. 19, 1974
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-ChiefManaging Editor-
-Nikki Humphrey Barb Gregory
NEWS:
Hilary Raff,
Nan Bober, Sue Bianchetti, Daryl Murray Linda Norwood, Roman Olynyk, Mark RoamanARTS:
Bruce Gianinny,
Scott Schlegel, Roger Feldman SPORTS:Evan Katz,
Frank Giaccone, Tim ScottPHOTOGRAPHY:
Ron Rothman,
Stan Bucklin, Tom Beibel Brandon Scholz, Bruce Cohn, Evan Steinberg, Mike Hardy PRODUCTION: David Snook, Scott SchlegelBUSINESS MANAGER:
David Moss
ADVERTISING MANAGER:
Stephanie Rudo
FACULTY ADVISOR:
Fran Hassencahl
Second Class Postage paid at Alfred, New York 14802 Published weekly during the school year(Sept. to May)
except during vaction periods.
Opinions expressed under bylines in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board.
E d i t o r i a l
HEY EARL, WOULD W LOOK AT Tf/£ TVI/O
ASSÖOLES ON
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ALFRED SUB SHOP
submarines pizzas salads cookies brownies yogurt
Open 'til 1 a.m. Every Day Phone: 587-4422
This coupon worth 5c toward the purchase of one pizza
or one sub
ACTION
For those of you majoring in the human experience, and those of you who are a human experience, various situations will arise throughout the year which will help prepare you for the cold cruel world of reality. (After all folks, the Alfred hello is not found everywhere.)
Many of these situations will appear in the form of obstacles that will test your Kung Fu patience and Sher- lock Holmes wit.
Although none of these problems should be too much for such great future schol- ars, this newspaper feels valuable student time may be wasted in unnecessary red tape. (Let's face it, when was the last time Caine had to go to five other monks, before the first one would give him the answer.)
T h e r e f o r e , in o r d e r to preserve human energy and fill-up space in this newspa- per, the Fiat will continue it's ACTION column. (Now that's a relief!)
ACTION will try to answer any questions you might have concerning the university's policy, procedure, or porfit.
Please submit your written curiousity at the Campus Center Desk. To insure against loss, mark the exter- ior ACTION c/o The Fiat Lux.
Replys will be printed as soon as possible.
Visitors Welcomed to A.U. Campus
Classifieds
For Sale: Two , 13" Sears, steel-belted radial tires, brand
Dear Editor; new, AMflFM radio, stereo 8-track I submit this letter to serve car tape player. Call Doug at a s a s t a t e m e n t of my 478-8936.
appreciation for the assist-
ance I received during the I need a ride to or from N.Y.C.
recent Trustee Orientation sometime Sept. 30 to Oct. 5.
Weekend. Please call Anne Klingensmith at
The comments from the 587-4382 or contact me nights at
University guests-trustees, the Alfred Sub shop,
alumni, parents, friends and •***•****•**•••*•*•*******•*•*
spouses were highly favor- Two rooms for rent in gargantuan
able. They indicated a strong house situated in the heart of
feeling that the visitors had Almond, one block from Harvey's,
come to know the University $58 a month, including utilities,
at a d e e p e r level t h a n Come to 104 Main St., Almond, or
previously, because of the call Steve, Steve, Randy, or wayne
opportunity to meet the at 276-5342 morning or night,
people and see the place in Pets, little kids okay.
operation. Alfred became ****
individual students and fac- Women: Does smoking prove
ulty m e m b e r s i n s t e a d of you're liberated?
statistics. Problems and
viewpoints became attached SREKOMS ERA SDRAWKCAB
to o w n e r s i n s t e a d of «**»****•*•***•*••**•*•*••*••*
generalities developed in re- Don't you hate people who hate
ports. cigarettes and make it a point to
Each of your readers was in tell the whole world?
part responsible. Student «**•**••*•*«*••*******•*•***•*
hosts, workship leaders, the Moveable Feast? Dr. Goldberg's
faculty who welcomed visitors Magic Munchie Catering Service
to their classes, staff mem- cooks almost anything for your
bers from food service and delight. Parties, weddings, funer-
the various administrative als, etc. Semi-organic, vegitarian,
d e p a r t m e n t s , even c a s u a l carnivorous gourmet cooking at
encounters on campus, made reasonable prices. Available most
our guests' experiences of weekends and evenings. Menus
Alfred accurate and positive, planned to your taste and budget.
I thank them all. My kitch or yours? Call Lee at
Marty Moore 276-6378.
Director of Public Affairs * *
To Whom It May Concern: Thank you for returning my jacket and my keys and my smokes. You are to be commended for your honesty.
Thanks.
Omicron's party was great!
When's the next?
For Sale: 1969 BMW, red 1600.
Contact Jon Garson at 871-3433.
Are you still possessed, Brucie?
It is 3 o'clock in the morning and if someone doesn't come down and help the FIAT LUX staff out this semester, I am going to quit. It is up to you students to produce this paper. Stop complaining and get off your butts. N.
80 proof coffee, Lon?
The AU Student Store
Mon.-Fri . 9-5 We Carry:
Sat. 12-4 school supplies
Sun. 10-3 books
newspapers MS \ tV-î records
\ \ cigarettes It's Your Store! candy
SUPPORT IT! AND MORE!
BALFOUR COLLEGE
JEWELRY
Rec Pins Pledge Pins
Frat Pins Mugs & Favors
Class Rings ORDER
EARLY
E. W. Crandall
& Son, Inc.
Photo by Menken/Seltzer
Your girlfriends can
get you pregnant faster than your husband.
Sometimes it looks like there's a conspiracy to get you to have children.
You're married and it's great being alone with your husband, discovering each other and feeling free to do whatever you want.
But already your girlfriends are telling you how wonderful children are and how selfish it is to wait and anything else they can think of to make you feel guilty.
Actually the girls are only part of it.
Let us not forget the future grand- parents, bless their impatient hearts.
There's an awful lot of pressure on you.
It becomes hard to resist.
But if you want to, you have to know the
facts of birth planning. (Lots of people who think they know, don't. Research statistics show that more than half the pregnancies each year are accidental.)
As for the pressure from relatives and friends, just remember that if you're going to have a baby it should be because you really want one.
Not because you were talked into it.
Planned Parenthood
Children by choice. Not chance.
F o r f u r t h e r information,write Planned Parenthood, Box 431, Radio City Station, New York, N.Y. 10019.
»tali*, i J V o
Planned Parenthood is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to providing I * "
i n f o r m a t i o n and effective means of f a m i l y p l a n n i n g to all who w a n t and need it. 0oUKcs"o POPULATION CAMPAIGN
NEWSPAPER AD MAT NO. PC-101-72 600 LINES (4 columns x 150 lines)
a d v e r t i s i n g contributed f o r the public good
\
September 26, 1974 FIAT LUX, ALFRED, NEW YORK 7
POTPOURRI
a o o n o o a c x p D o o a o o o o o u
Gallery - Exhibition
MEMORIAL ART GALLERY OF ROCHESTER Sept. 21 - Nov. 3 Decalcomania
Sept 21 - Oct. 13 Sculpture and Watercolors from Upstate mUseums Sept. 21 - Oct. 27 Rochester Art Club
Sept. 21 - Oct. 27 Rochester Art Club Retrospective Stage
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY PLAYERS Nov. 8 - 10, 14 - 16 Last of the Red Hot Lovers
Alfred Potter Uses Decals in New Style
Chekov Production Inspires Emotions
Decalcomania, the work of three potters who have been exploring the possibilities of combining decals and cera- mics, is now on view at the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester through Nov. 3.
Each of the three - Howard Kottler of Seattle, Jacquelyn Rice of Ann Arbor, and David Silverman of Alfred - has arrived at a very different style and together make a broad statement about the range of expressions possible within the unusual art form.
Silverman, for example, often uses decals to create patterns that merge with the
surface of the pot and become an integral part of it. Kottler, in humorously titled series of plates, has taken commercial dinnerware and decals and with unexpected alterations froms witty works of art.
Rice, using considerably freer forms, p r o d u c e s strangely whimsical images.
This exhibition presents a number of works by the three artists and marks the first time decalcomania has been defined as a specific style.
Following the showing at the Memorial Art Gallery, the exhibition will go to other N.Y.S. museums.
Civil War Poem Read By Theatre Group
The Reader's Theatre pro- duction of John Browns Body an epic poem written by Stephen Vincent Benet was very effectively done last ' T h u r s d a y by the Alfred University T h e a t r e group under the direction of Mr.
Ronald M. Brown. The epic poem contains many delight- ful and perceptive incidents, of the Civil War after the initial riad of Harper's Ferry by John Brown and his raiders. The outstanding dramatic moments were the scenes of Abraham Lincoln's reflection of the state of the
nation and his newly written emancipation proclamation - performed by Keith Gregory, and the portrayal of Lucy Weatherly by Mrs. Ellen Schwartz. The 11 member chorus under the direction Mr. James Chapman and organ accompanyment helped c r e a t e the a t m o s p h e r e . Considering the fact that there was no setting or costumes for this production it was a remarkable success.
I hope Alfred can look forward to theatre of this calliber for the coming year.
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
1975 Spring Semester Abroad
LIVE and Learn
Florence London Madrid
Italian, Fine Arts, History,
Political Science English,
Political Science, Drama, Art, Communications Spanish Language, Literature,
Anthropology
C + r r t c ^ m i r n French Langauage, Literature,
OTraSDOUry
R e M a i o n >Religion, History History History,A m s t e r d a m c u l t u r e ,
Sociology
Latin American Studies,
Puebla, Mexico
Spanish Languages, and LiteratureApplication Due October 1st
Write: Division of International Proarams 335 Comstock Ave.
Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 (Tel.: 315-423-3471)
As Harder Hall packed in tKbse who waited patiently in long lines outside, I realized that the theatre had never been so crowded. Not a seat was unoccupied and even the aisles were filled as the audience waited pensively for this highly acclaimed per- formance to begin.
The stage was set and the curtain pulled before the audience entered. The scene resembled a late nineteenth- century Russian parlor with a dining room in the back- ground, containing a table set for twelve. In the foreground, a parlor scene was accented by numerous tapestries, ori- ental rug, an abundance of house plants and the furni- ture of that era. Four tall grey pillars, with candelabras mounted on each side, divided the two rooms. The scene set the mood perfectly as one began to imagine what was about to take place even before Act One began.
The house lights dimmed and the three sisters entered, coming to the front of the stage. Within five minutes one could assume the person- alises of each of them-they were all invariably different, but obviously sisters. Their dress was that of the time.
They were all very slender and astonishingly beautiful, especially Irina. Of the three sisters it was probably she who received the most atten- tion,
Soon all the main char- acters were on stage. The men were all of the military and appeared to be rather handsome to the three sisters.
They were very jolly and this at once made one aware of the Comedy to come.
There was motion immedi- ately and the audience was suddenly captivated by the supreme excellence of The City Center Acting Company.
Their voices were well proj- ected and their ability to portray the part of each character was no less than the best.
As the play progressed one realized that the three sisters were very unahppy. Having left Moscow following the death of their father, they moved to a large estate in a provincial town far from their birthplace. Due to their inherent wealth, their lives had been choreless. Ironi- cally, they longed to work, but the lack of it had made their lifes empty and miserable. It was Irina who felt this most strongly.
After much soul-searching, all three sisters decided they could not resist their instinc- tive yearning for Moscow.
They arranged to move there b ut were deterred by several matters.
During Act One the brother of the three sisters decided to
The Three Sisters-Marsha (Mary-Joan Negro,left), Olga (Mary Lou Rosato) and Irina (Patti LuPone, seated) watch love and happiness fade from their lives in the powerful closing scene of the Chekov drama, performed by the City Center Acting Company. Photo by Diane Gorodnitzki.
THE STASH BOX New in Alfred
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marry a woman who, several years later and in Act Four, becomes the fnost loathesome woman he ever laid eyes on.
In the meantime, in order to feed what has become a family of four, he was forced to mortgage the Prozorov family estate. By doing this without the consent of his sisters and for marrying Natasha, he found his sisters very spiteful.
Indeed, Natasha was a horrid woman. From the moment she set foot in the Prozorov household, she - plagued everyone, and she knew it. Her revenge was only to become more detest- able. I found m> 3elf longing to jump onto the stage and thrust a silver dagger through this woman's heart before I remembered that I watching a Chekov play. The part of Natasha was played excel- lently by Sandra Halprin.
To add to this commotion, the eldest of the three sisters,
Masha, was involved in a bit of Hanky-panky. Having been married for several years to a rather "mouse" of a man, she found marriage quite boring.
One evening she was wooed by a devilishly handsome soldier and from that moment on her husband became a menace to her.
The middle-aged sister, Olga, longed to be swept off her feet by some handsome
gentleman. He never came and she remained unwed, consoling her other sisters.
As might be expected, I r i n a ' s y o u t h f u l b e a u t y
brought on rivalry. Although she had been proposed to by one solider, she was ap- proached by another. He claimed that if any other man came between them he would,
"Destroy him." Hence, "The Baron" was challenged to a duel on the day of their planned migration to Moscow.
Inevitably, "Baron Tusen- bach" was killed and Irina's suitor was off to fight for the mother country with Irina left husbandless and lonely. This instance being too much for her to bear, brought on torrents of tears and extreme depression.
As the story ended, we saw the three sisters gazing into the d i s t a n c e from their garden, watching the soldiers march off to war. A Russian march played in the distance.
Masha the eldest, "Oh my dear sisters, life is not over for us yet. Let us live." She is joined by Olga saying, "If we could only know..." as Irina sobbed deeply.
The lights dimmed un- noticably and the audience was released from captiva- tion. Thundering applause fell and the performers took their bows, receiving several standing ovations.
I'm sure the production surfaced inner feelings in many people. Such an emotional productin depicting an historically typical family predicament, could very well be depressing. Whether you could relate to it or not, it was undoubtedly one of the most a p p r e c i a t e d p e r f o r m a n c e s ever given at A l f r e d .
