President Roger Hull opened the first faculty meeting of the year on Tuesday by stressing the importance of undergraduate research, international study and community service. In addition, he stated the need to develop social alternatives.
He congratulated the faculty on their commitment to undergraduate research, citing the 46 students who attended the National Conference on
Undergraduate Research, “one of the largest contingents for any college, regardless
of size.” He also praised the Steinmetz Symposium, which last year had presentations
from some 250 students, calling it “the best day of the year on this campus.”
Of Terms Abroad offerings, he urged the development of
more exchange programs. They are less expensive to the College than study abroad programs,
he said, and they allow students to rejoin the campus without “double culture
shock.”
He reiterated the College's commitment to community
service beginning with the annual community service day by freshmen. “Turning
students loose on this city is good for the city and good for the students,” he said.
“This city is starting to change and will change dramatically in the next three
years.”
Hull applauded the success of Theme Houses and social
alternatives like last year's fashion show and garden party for providing a range of
social alternatives to an increasingly diverse student body.
He also announced that the campus community will have a
celebration on Oct. 24 for the successful completion of the $150 million Bicentennial
Campaign.
Dean of Faculty Linda Cool announced that Andrew Curran of
modern languages, and Dianne McMullen of music were named MacArthur Assistant Professors.
Funded by the John T. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the distinction honors junior
faculty who show great promise.
Cool, who on Monday presented the Stillman Prize for
Excellence in Teaching to Ashraf Ghaly, cited five other finalists for the award: Bonney
MacDonald, English; Eshragh Motahar, economics; Seyfollah Maleki, physics; Karl
Zimmermann, mathematics; and Bradley Jordan, modern languages.
She also announced that 31 honors scholars had entered
with the Class of 2001 in a program to be taught by Joyce Madancy, Hugh Jenkins and Scott
Scullion. Three multimedia classrooms – two in Humanities and a third under
development in Steinmetz 106 – will be used by students and faculty this year.
The College is about to embark on accreditation studies by
the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology for engineering, the American
Association of Collegiate Schools of Business for the Graduate Management Institute, and
Middle States Association of Colleges.
Cool also announced new administrative appointments:
Virginia Solomon as coordinator of instructional technology; Rachel Seligman, director of
Mandeville Gallery; David Hannay, acting dean of engineering; Rebecca Fisher, language
laboratory coordinator; Thomas McFadden, director of Schaffer Library; and Joseph Zolner
'76, director of GMI.
The faculty discussed a proposal from the Academic Affairs
Council for a revision in class schedule that would create a lunch period for all days but
Friday. Faculty will continue to discuss details of the proposal with the intention of
implementing a change in the upcoming winter term.
The faculty welcomed 16 new colleagues on Tuesday. They
will be profiled in the next issue of the Chronicle.