U. Council discusses ROTC, Perelman Quad

Discussion at yesterday afternoon's University Council meeting focused on the University's handling of the Reserve Officers Training Corp program, plans for the Perelman Quadrangle and professional and graduate education. Two key issues which had been scheduled for discussion were left off the agenda. Provost Stanley Chodorow did not report on the proposed judicial charter, calling the deletion a "casualty of the snowstorm." As a result of the blizzard, Chodorow said those revising the charter were unable to finish their work and get it published in Almanac before the meeting. He added that the draft would be finished and published within the next two weeks, at which point he will present it to the four undergraduate deans for final comments. Due to a request by United Minorities Council Chairperson and College senior Onyx Finney, the issue of whether the organization would receive a permanent seat on the Council was also delayed until next month's meeting. Turning to his discussion to the U.S. Defense Department, Chodorow reiterated comments from last month's meeting that the Navy was unwilling to modify its ROTC agreement with the University in order to resolve conflicts with University policy. But Chodorow said he would continue meeting with the directors of the Army's ROTC program about the situation. "One of the important things to know about the Defense Department and the Pentagon is not to give up," he said. "I can report that we are not giving up." In response to Chodorow's ROTC report, Communications professor Larry Gross invoked earlier Council mandates that the University resolve the ROTC question swiftly, and called on the provost for action. "How many of our policies are we willing to countenance violations against before we act," Gross asked. "The process of endless delay and hairsplitting does not change the situation." Chodorow also updated the Council on the Perelman Quad. He announced that the schematic plans for Logan Hall had been approved, adding that work will begin there in early February. He also spoke about plans to improve the acoustics in Irvine Auditorium. Following comments and questions on the Perelman Quad, Chodorow spoke briefly about graduate education at the University before opening the floor to other members. He cited the revamping of the Wharton and Social Work graduate programs as examples of improvements in each of the University's graduate programs over the last five years. Chodorow also discussed other graduate school issues, saying that lowering the number of students in each program is a priority and one way to improve those programs. Several Council members said the University should examine developing alternative graduate programs to better prepare students for the changing job market. "I think it's important to think creatively about ways to redefine the relationship between doctoral education and post-doctoral job opportunities," Gross said. Also at the meeting, Chodorow said he had received several comments about University President Judith Rodin's strategic Plan for Academic Excellence. He said the comments would be taken up by the Academic Planning and Budget Committee and would also be discussed at a meeting of the University Board of Trustees today. Rodin was not present at the meeting due to an "unavoidable conflict" according to Chodorow, who presented Rodin's report.