Lazerson says rumors of cuts are 'garbage'

Denies VPUL faces shakeup Calling student allegations that his office plans to cut crucial student services "garbage," Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson said last week he has no plan to restructure the Vice Provost for University Life office by the end of his term. His comments came in response to a student demonstration held outside McClelland Hall in the Quadrangle, the location of last week's University Council meeting. Student concern about the elimination of some student services stemmed from last week's announcement that Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson is being transferred to the provost's office. Many campus groups maintain that this transfer foreshadows large- scale alterations in the Vice Provost for University Life office – which encompasses Career Planning and Placement and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, among others. They are upset by what they perceive as a lack of student input in the alterations – though none have been made. "Our goal is to ask questions to students and to develop possible ways we can improve student services," Lazerson said. "The statements you are hearing [from student groups] are rumor-mongering." Past Faculty Senate Chairperson David Hildebrand expressed confusion about the motivation behind student concerns that services will be eliminated. "I know two things," Hildebrand said. "There was a change of leadership in the VPUL, and there were a series of assertions that a number of student services were in danger of being cut. "There is a very large gap between those two things. It seems like a script that was written by Samuel Beckett and Chicken Little working in tandem." Throughout the ensuing discussion, Lazerson's responses to student concerns stated unequivocally the administration's commitment to student services. When pressed by Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Seth Hamalian to say "on the record" that services would be maintained, Lazerson said he "could not imagine" that any would be cut. Hamalian said he senses an overall attitude that the VPUL's office is not "as academic" as other departments and, therefore, is not considered as important. He alleged that Morrisson's transfer and Acting VPUL Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum's appointment reflected a "lesser commitment" to student life and activities. "Few people show more of an interest [in providing the best possible student services] than Dr. McCoullum," Lazerson said. "She will work beyond full time to make student life better." Lazerson added that McCoullum, as well as Morrisson in her new position, will help to "build more bridges between student life and academic life."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.