The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 65, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 20, 1978 Page: 5 of 16
sixteen pages : ill. ; page 20 x 14 in.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Wolak
I definitely hope that what
I've written here will be read
and thought about since I feel
very strongly about it. I don't
want this statement to be
thought of as just B.S. trying
to get me elected. I want to
bring up some issues that I feel
are important to students at
Rice.
Most of the students at Rice
haven't heard about the
University Council or what its
function is. This seems to be
the case with many of the
governmental positions for
students at Rice with the
possible exception of the SA
officers and even the specific
duties of these positions are
not well known. This seems
very strange for a place such
as Rice where there are such
high quality students.
What adds to this peculi-
arity is that many students,
myself included, complain
about Rice and are very quick
Bay
The University Council is
one of the few elected offices
that has significant input into
the University present day
functions and future plans.
Though largely unknown the
University Council reviews
course requirements, degree
plans, add-drop deadlines, all
standing committee recom-
mendations, teacher salaries
library improvements, and
many other things that
directly affect the student
body. The shame of it is that
every year candidates must re-
explain the functions of the
council because they realize
that few students even
recognize its existene. This, in
my mind, is more the fault of
the council than the students.
As such I believe it the
responsibility of future council
members to not only
disseminate the ideas on
issues that take place in the
to point out all of the
deficiencies of the system here.
I see the Student Association
and the University Council as
the students' way to have their
voice heard and to change
things that they see fault in.
So, instead of continuing to
complain about the parts of
Rice that need improvement
I've decided to run for a
position on the University
Council in an attempt to make
Rice a more enjoyable
experience for its students
since as corny as it may sound
college is for the students'
enjoyment.
The reason that the average
Rice student is uninformed
about the University Council
is partly due to the lack of
publicity that is given to the
proceedings of the meetings
in spite of the fact that there
are very important issues
being discussed. One of my
goals as a Council member
discussions but must also
make a valid attempt to
solicit student opinions and
ideas. This means that the
council member should be
both open-minded and readily
available for discussion. It is
my belief that the most
efficient manner for doing this
is through printed summaries
in the Thresher as well as
advance notice of future
issues to be discussed.
At the same time the council
member should be confident
enough in his or her beliefs so
that student opinions can be
would be to inform you, the
students, of what is being done
by the Council so that as your
representative I would have
the students' feelings as a base
for my voting instead of
simply my personal opinion.
This could not help but make
me a better Council member.
Thus, I would definitely make
the issues as public as
permitted and be responsive to
student feedback since I feel it
is my duty.
One issue that has been a
source of complaint for many
students and me is the
decisions as to which professors
get tenure. Although the
faculty members of the
University Council determine
who gets tenure, that does not
prevent the student represent-
ative from voicing his
opinions and those of his peers
so that the faculty members
can make more informed
choices. This issue is another
more than adequately
represented to the influential
committee members, (i.e. Dr.
Hackerman, Dean Brown)
This aspect certainly should
not be, overlooked as the
students views are only as
important as the council
members make them. I hope
that students will take the
time to examine each
candidate thoroughly,
keeping in mind that they will
represent both your views and
aspirations for the Univer-
sity's future growth. I would
appreciate your vote in next
Tuesday's election.
HAROLD'S GARAGE
HENRY). ENGEL, OWNER
Automatic Transmission — Air Conditioning
Brakes — Engine Tune-Ups — Front End
Rebuilding — Wheel Aligning
2431 Dunstan
528-5323
QWey*
PASADENA
TEXAS
Where the action is
Dance seven nights a week
Food & Drinks
Hear Regulars Johnny Lee, Kenny Fulton,
Toni Holcomb, Faron Evans and
the Bayou City Beat, nightly.
4500 Spencer Highway
Pasadena
946-9842
************************************* ****** *
reason for student feedback to
the University Council
representative because if the
member can name numerous
student sources about a
certain faculty member his
voice will have more weight to
it than if it were his single
opinion.
This type of attitude of
informed students providing
feedback would breed greater
interest in the University
which could only serve to
make Rice better than it
already is for the students. I
am not saying that everyone
Shenoi
Just a few years ago,
students at Rice were endowed
with a larger share of the
administrative responsibil-
ities of the University through
the membership on several
executive committees, one of
them being the University
Council. Through these
channels, students must
assume the responsibility of
promoting and protecting
their interests as well as the
interests of the University as a
whole.
The council is, in fact, the
highest decision making body
in the University, except fox
the Board of Governors. Most
of the recommendations and
proposed policies from the
University Standing Com-
mittees pass through the
Council and the student
representatives are obligated
to insure that the students'
unique and often-overlooked
perspective of the University
be presented.
I am seeking the office of
University Council repre-
should get involved but I want
to make it easier for those who
want to get involved so that
nobody will be discouraged
from participating. Maybe if
there is more student
involvement and interest more
responsibility in determining
Rice University policies will be
delegated to the students. I feel
that is something for us to
shoot for in the coming years.
I hope that at the polls you
will take into account what 1
have said and make an
intelligent and informed vote.
Thank you, Frank Wolak.
sentative to insure that the
above mentioned duties are
carried out. I strongly believe
in the potential and value of
an institution like Rice, and I
shall do my best to insure that
these qualities of the
University are maintained
and improved. I would like to
provide the University
Council with a fresh and
constructive input, and to
assist in making communica-
tion with the rest of the
University community
possible.
'76 Lancia Beta Coupe
Classic Sport Car
Beautiful Leather Interior
16,000 miles
Power Brakes AM/FM Tape
$7,000
661-2289 8-5
782-2454 after 6
The following people
support and recommend
Frank Bay
for
&
2* X*
University
Council
>S
V
Sharilyn Stanley
Cissy Kraft
Mindy McNeely
Ann Spiering
Charles Closmann
Alan Frey
Lynn Laverty
Kathryn Payne
Bill Wilder
Maureen Moore
Leon Vance
Chris Lahart
Marcella Whiting
Jeff Taylor
Steve Sullivan
Mark Scheevel
Carrie Meacham
Chip Bledsoe
Marty Froelich
Joel Laser
W.
%
:#
. v.*.
$
the rice thresher, april 20, 1978—page 5
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Parker, Philip. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 65, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 20, 1978, newspaper, April 20, 1978; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth245371/m1/5/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.