tl19740308-000 "towerlight Vol. No. XXVII No. 22 Towson State College March 8, 1974 Towson, Md. 21204 Elections today: Residence Council sponsors forum for candidates by Mike Dilworth The five Student Government Association executive candidates participated in a forum Tuesday night, answering questions dealing mainly with food services, parking, commuter and resident problems and the state of student government. Attended by thirty students, the forum was sponsored by the Residence Council, in an effort to inform students of the executive hopefuls' position on campus issues. Candidates for SGA president were Konrad Herling and Ken Nelson. Seeking the office of treasurer were Darryll Wright and Ruth Forti. David Nevins, running unopposed for the vice-president position, also participated. Today is the last day to vote in the elections with voting booths set up on the first floor of the College Center. Attacks college's residence policy Herling, presently the Junior Class President, in outlining his goals. attacked the college photo by Coke Hogepanos Ken Nelson administration saying, ""The residents on campus have been overlooked. The administration has done nothing for residents."" He went on citing poor parking and food services for resident students. Reviewing his tenure as a class officer, Herling mentioned free activities that he sponsored including speakers, movies and June week activities. Herling is campaigning on a ticket with Nevins and Forti that emphasizes more concerts, revised budgeting procedures, free events, extended Library hours, publication of upper and lower level course guides, open records, improved communications between SGA and campus media and the needs of resident students. Nelson advocates action Nelson. SGA treasurer, advocated a plan utilizing student action, carried through by the SGA. Saying that SGA is in a transitional period with the basic foundation for action, he stressed the point that he would personally work with individual students with problems and SGA organizational concerns. ""Students are not aware of the available resources in SGA,"" Nelson said, calling for a working relationship with individuals as well as monthly meetings with organization heads to counter apathy. Advocating a reduced student fare for college students riding the Mass Transit buses, Nelson said he was working with the American Marketing Association to have a bill introduced in the state legislature. The reduction, he said, would benefit both commuters and residents. He also suggested a bus run from the campus to local shopping centers. Grass roots effort Expressing a ""growing understanding of SGA financial policies,"" Wright said, ""as treasurer, I will do the best I can whenever I can. . .and use experts in areas to help."" The SGA parlimentarian, Wright called for better communications between the SGA executives, students and the Senate. He urged an ""open door"" policy whereby students and senators would have access to SGA files and information. Get students involved Dedicated to getting students involved in student government. Forti, chairman of the College Advancement and Improvement Board which allocates finances Fisher addresses Academic Council concerning budgets by Sue DeBolt Towson President James L. Fisher addressed the March 4 Academic Council meeting concerning the operating and capital budgets currently being discussed in Annapolis. Although hearings have not aided the operating budget, Fisher labelled the capital budget ""good."" However, he stressed uncertainty, especially in regard to the salary situation. At this moment, it looks like there will be no across-the-board 6.8 percent increase for the faculty of the state colleges,"" Fisher said. In a Towerlight interview Tuesday, March 5, Fisher said that the situation looked even worse than it did on Monday when he addressed the Council. He cited the possibility of taking such an increase ""out of our hides,"" meaning student fees, but said that this was ""impossible in conscience and intelligence."" Meetings near Fisher reported that there would be a meeting of the State College Presidents, Wednesday, March 6, and a Board of Trustees meeting Thursday, March 7. He added that several Board members had previously spoken of resigning if the Governor had backed out on his word to the faculty. Reduced transit fares sought by TSC by Sue DeBolt Towson representatives are currently working to support a Proposed General Assembly bill to require the Metropolitan Transit Administration to reduce rates to college and university and community students. Sponsored by Baltimore City delegates Joseph Bonvegna and Frank C. Robey, H Jr., the bill would call for the same rates for higher education students as elementary and secondary school students. LCurrent Student Government Association Treasurer and presidential hopeful, Ken Nelson, reported that Towson representatives such as himself and Vice President of Business and Finance, Wayne Shelle, have gone to Annapolis to speak in favor of the bill. At that time, Nelson called the session a ""stalemate,"" with positive remarks made by Towson officials and negative comments by MTA representatives. In a letter to House Ways and Means Committee, Towson President James L.. Fisher called for a fare reduction., which he believed would provide as incentive for students to use to a greater extent the public transportation system. He called such a reduction advantageous, because there would be an immediate reduction in the utilization of gasoline during these times of energy shortages. Pollution would be reduced through diminished use of private vehicles, and the serious parking problem on college campuses might be alleviated. At this time, the bill is still in committee. If it should become law, it will be effective July 1, 1974. Towson's American Marketing Association is also currently working on the bill, as they are asking students to send letters of support to the AMA, which they will in turn address to legislators. 'Mose letters may be sent to the AMA office, Box 1994. 1954. Despite some discussion as to how to improve the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee, the Council voted to accept that Committee's annual report. Dr. Darlene Kelly questioned whether TSC's Boosters Club affeeted the policy of the Committee. Men's Athletic Director, Dr. Thomas Meinhardt, reported that ""the function of the Boosters Club at this moment is to award athletic grants-in-aid to deserving young athletes at TSC, particularly males."" The money is administered by the TSC Foundation and Financial Aids Directors, and Meinhardt said that the ""essence of need is always a prime factor.� � When questioned about policy, Meinhardt said that it was made by the faculty of the Men's Physical Education Department who coach and counsel. Faculty Emeritus recommended With the exception of one faculty member, whom the Council sought more information on, the Council approved a number of faculty members recommended by the Alumni Association and the Faculty Association for Faculty Emeritus Status. The Council also voted to accept the General College Requirements approved at the Academic Standards Committee. Dean of Academic Affairs. Kenneth Shaw, said that this was not a policy change, as it was meant only to better clarify our present situation. to SGA organizations, advocates monthly financial statements to be issued complete with an explanation. He also called for a double budgeting system whereby SGA organizational budgets would be allocated in the Spring for the coming Fall term, and a tenative allotment for the following Spring. In December then he would reevaluate an organization's financial records and activities to determine any changes in their tenative budget for that Spring. Forti explained that some organizations were sitting on funds or had excessive money, while other organizations were Struggling for funds for planned activities. The double budget, hearings, he contends, will make the allocations more responsible. Wright stressed working with the present financial policy after refining it. Nevins V-P candidate Active in the SGA Senate, Nevins sees the major problem facing SGA Senate as one of communications between the Senate and the SGA executives. Nevins answered questions concerning the dining hall facilities, explaining that two committees were working through the Senate. Money will be available next year for renovation of the Newell Cafeteria, and new equipment has been purchased that would hopefully improve the food quality, he said. Other issues discussed at the forum included the parking problem, future concerts, liason groups to the state legislature, the role of executives and relations with President James L. Fisher. photo by Coke Hageponos Konrad HerlIng "
