Miami Hurricane, September 18, 1987

              Who owns the zone?
The 10th anniversary of the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty prompted Ambler Moss to discuss America’s military rights in the canal zone.
News — page 3
Timeout from academia
With the back-to-school race winding down, it’s time to seek some rest and relaxation.
Accent — page 6
Football fever
A reserve defensive back and newly-signed defensive tackle storm the practice field for the sixth-ranked Hurricane football team.
Sports — page 8
THE MIAMI
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Volume 65, Number 4
University of Miami
Friday, Sept. 18,1987
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Foote addresses grad students
By CAREN BURMEISTER
Hurricane Assistant News Editor
President Edward T. Foote discussed the Otto G. Richter Library, housing, registration and other issues with graduate students during the Graduate Student Association's first meeting Wednesday.
Foote responded to library issues raised by Russ Brown, treasurer of GSA. He said he recognized the lack of resources and space in the library and specified that he would like to add a new wing.
Foote attributed the library problem to a lack of outside funding. “We have not found an endowment for the library as of yet.” Foote said.
He added that the library issue is a top priority within the school.
GSA President Jane Whitehead confronted Foote on the library issue, reminding him of the removal of the graduate student representative from the library committee last year.
"I will put a graduate student on the library committee tommorrow morning," F'oote responded.
In hopes of maintaining a light tone at the meeting. Foote said, “The good news is that we don't have a monopoly on library problems#.'!. _«i¥,rr}oe~ to recent nlr
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GSA, brought up the gractuat «.•
student housing issue, stressing difficulties in finding low-priced housing since the University Inn had been sold.
According to Foote, a campus master plan including housing will not be finished for at least two years. Foote explained that for housing to be successful, it should be self-supporting.
Routh said the price difference between off-campus housing and the previous University Inn housing could cost as much as $150.
A British graduate student Roman Tryjonmko, spoke of the difficulties and rudeness he encountered during registration. He said that culture shock wasn't all he experienced by attending this university.
"We (international students) have traveled thousands of mi,es to attend this ‘global University’ and the procedure displayed during registration was bad and rude," Tryjomko said. Other in-ternnational students reiterated his complaints.
Foote said he hadn't considered the problems that adult international students might encounter during registration. He expressed his concern over the matter and said he would look into it.
Pamela Ferguson, dean of graduate studies, who opened the GSA meeting, suggested that seminars
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Declining enrollment improves class quality
‘Paying money for an education is not like shopping in a supermarket.
The students themselves determine whether they get what they pay for.’
Paul Wilson, School of Music professor
By MATHEW BENNETT
Hurricane Staff Writer
This year. 2,000 fewer students are enrolled in the University of Miami than in 1980. This trend is part of the University's four year old strategic planning process designed to improve the faculty/student ratio.	, _
This trend is described by President Edward T Foote II as a “significant example of greater acedemic quality."
When 19-year-old Francis Houghtalin. the first student at the University of Miami arrived on campus, he payed a scant tuition fee of under $300. In 1926 the University was just beginning.
But much has changed since then, including the student population and the tuition it pays.
In an August memo to the University faculty. Foote described the results of the ongoing "strategic planning process.”
One elelment of this plan is the improved faculty/student ratio and the new selectivity.
The average SAT score of the current entering class exceeds 1100, considered among universities as within the bounds of "selectivity."
However.this selectivity has its costs. Unlike the
student population, tuition costs have continued to
rise.
Since Houghtalin paid that first fee, every decade, on the average, has seen the costs of tuition double. Although this is in keeping with the national demographics of private university costs, UM is among the most expensive, partially due to new expansions, and also partially due to the University's youth.
Paul Wilson, assistant professor of the School of Music, said that compared to other universities, UM has a lack of amassed endowments.
"Paying money for an education is not like shopping in a supermarket. The students themselves determine whether they get what they pay for," he
said.
Many students seem to think that selectivity is worth the cost.
Freshman Joan Roland believes the personal attention recieved in smaller classes is very beneficial.
Norma Wilson, a freshman in the honors program, said that in a smaller class students "get a lot more done" and that "everybody gets a chance."
UM has earned a worldwide reputation in this endeavor to transform the old "Suntan U" into a selective “Global University" attracting students from over 100 foreign nations.
Ralph Johann, a graduate student from West Germany, considers that smaller student/faculty ratio
is important, and an improvement over some large European universities which may enroll hundreds of students in a single class.
Brian Curtis, assistant professor of art, said that, although classes in his department are small anyway, the improved student/faculty ratio is a “positive educational tool coming from a new realization of ancient techniques involving students and teachers in a one-on-one experience."
Vicki Byk. a freshman student in the School of Architecture, agrees with this philosophy of teaching.
She said she likes to ask a lot of questions and feels more comfortable asking questions in a small group.
“It’s very important to not have a million eyes looking at you," said David Gamback. a sophomore minoring in philosophy. He said that in small classes "the teachers are more accessible."
Students and teachers seem to approve of this "smaller is better" philosophy in the pursuit of selectivity. Although Roland said that there is a limit to how much you pay for this selectivity.
“It depends on how much [it costs|." she said
Women’s studies minor may be offered at UM
By LAURIE L. THOMAS
Hurricane Staff Writer
The College of Arts and Sciences may soon be offering a 12 credit minor in women’s studies, according to Shari Benstock, associate professor of English.
“Among the 10 or so universities we compare ourselves to, such as Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and Florida State Universty in Tallahassee, we are the only one without a women's studies program," Benstock said.
The proposed minor would consist of the 12-15 women's studies courses already offered through the departments of anthropology, biology. English, psychology, religion, sociology, and politics and public affairs.
Benstock is chairperson of the Women’s Studies ad hoc advisory committee for the College of Arts and Sciences. She came to the University of Miami last year from the University of Tulsa and began working
toward establishing the minor in women's studies.
“These things don’t happen by accident, they must be organized," iiensiock said. This semester, the committee plans to send the official proposal for the minor to David Wilson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
If Wilson approves the curriculum, it will be sent to the entire faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences for the final vote of approval.
Senior Lisa Sanders, student liaison to the Women's Commission, said, “I think the University is scared to offer a women's studies minor because of being thought of as feminist bra burners.”
While many faculty members have been supportive, there are still some problems ahead, according to Benstock.
“Dean Wilson has been very supportive, but we still need advisors, secretaries and others to help make this work." Benstock said.
Scheduling Reminders
Last day lo drop a course without a “W"............................Friday
Last day to make a change in credit only destination...............Friday
Last day lor applications for degrees earned at the end of the semester Thursday, Oct. 1
Mid-term grades of “D” and “E”..........................Wednesday, Oct 14
Courses may not be dropped after this date................Tuesday, Oct. 20
ERIK COCKS/llurrtc one SI all
Major discussion
Students Pete Valdesdale, left, and Jeoff Robinson, talk with Dr. John Masterson about choosing a major at the School of Communication student/faculty mixer held at the Rat Tuesday.