AI Summary:
The December 1974 issue of “The Eclectic”, the bi-monthly newspaper of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), covers student government upheaval, campus development projects, bookstore profits benefiting students, financial aid opportunities, sports, and campus security updates. The issue also includes controversies, opinion pieces, entertainment news, and an upcoming chorus concert.
Student Government Controversy: Senate Dismissals and Constitution Violations
One of the biggest stories in this issue is the controversial dismissal of seven Student Senate members, which has raised concerns about constitutional violations and student representation.
The dismissed senators—George Adams, Kevin Kassel, Lloyd Luppes, Nancy Brown, and Steve (last name not provided)—were allegedly removed due to failure to attend required meetings. However, the Senate Review Board, which is supposed to oversee suspensions, never officially recommended their removal as outlined in the Student Senate Constitution.
This lack of due process has sparked accusations of unconstitutional actions by the remaining Senate members. According to the constitution, any motion to suspend senators must be approved by two-thirds of the entire Senate, but it remains unclear if this requirement was met.
Additionally, the dismissed members have the right to appeal, raising the possibility of further conflict and debate over student government procedures in the coming months.
Student Union Project: Debates Over Location and Funding
Another major focus is the ongoing debate over creating a permanent Student Union on campus. Several options have been proposed:
- Constructing a new permanent building (estimated at $30,000, requiring a student vote).
- Purchasing a temporary steel building (cheaper but still a long-term investment).
- Repurposing an existing building by moving the bookstore and using that space for a student center.
The primary concern is that existing classroom buildings are already overcrowded, making it difficult to find a location that wouldn’t disrupt academic activities.
Money for the Student Union would come from:
- A fund specifically set aside for this purpose.
- Potential state legislature allocations.
If completed, the Student Union could include lounge areas, a television, vending machines, a game room, and student meeting spaces. However, disagreements over location and funding may delay the project for years.
Bookstore Profits Used for Student Aid and New Initiatives
In a rare win for students, the DMACC bookstore is allocating over $14,000 in profits toward student-focused initiatives, including:
- Expanding the Boone Campus bookstore ($2,000 allocated).
- Adding $5,000 to the student emergency loan fund (completing an initial $10,000 goal).
- Potentially funding the new Student Union with a $5,000 contribution.
- Exploring the creation of a new student scholarship fund.
This allocation follows a recent survey at the Boone campus, where students overwhelmingly supported expanding bookstore services. However, debates remain over whether funds should be invested in a new scholarship program instead.
The committee managing bookstore profits is still gathering student input before making a final decision.
Financial Aid Updates and Possible Changes to Registration
Several key financial aid updates are featured in this issue:
- More students are encouraged to apply for Basic Grants, as only 200 applications have been submitted so far. The maximum award is $1,050, and many students who qualify are missing out due to lack of awareness.
- AIDP funds (Advanced Institutional Development Program) will be used to streamline DMACC’s registration process, possibly introducing pre-registration and mail-in registration options.
Additionally, DMACC is evaluating teacher performance, with new faculty evaluation criteria possibly being introduced.
Campus Security: Helping Students Beyond Parking Tickets
The DMACC Security Office is offering expanded student assistance, beyond its usual enforcement of parking violations.
New services include:
- Helping students unlock their cars if they leave their keys inside.
- Jump-starting vehicles with dead batteries.
- Notifying students if they leave their lights on to prevent battery drainage.
- Assisting students with flat tires.
- Providing security reports for on-campus vehicle accidents.
Despite these efforts, security officers continue to issue citations for illegal parking, leading to ongoing student frustrations over parking policies.
Affirmative Action Committee Takes Shape
A new Affirmative Action Committee (AAC) has been formed at DMACC to address discrimination in hiring, promotions, and student job placements.
Committee members include:
- Peggy Gaines, Linda Pederson, Tom Pestotnik, Marvin Jacobs, Jerry Blanchard, and Don Rhead.
- Chairperson Julia Haggar emphasizes that students should not be afraid to report discrimination.
The committee meets monthly and will work on cases related to sex, race, or national origin discrimination.
Student Opinions and Letters to the Editor
The opinion section features a heated letter from a Student Senate Vice President, accusing the current Senate president of incompetence and poor leadership. The letter criticizes the president for:
- Not understanding parliamentary procedure.
- Failing to engage with students.
- Dismissing business items as “out of order” without explanation.
Another letter expresses frustration over campus parking issues, arguing that faculty and staff parking areas are underutilized while students struggle to find spaces.
A humorous holiday poem about students struggling through finals before winter break also appears in this section.
Entertainment and Events: DMACC Chorus Concert & More
A DMACC chorus concert is scheduled for December 15th at 3:00 PM in the auditorium.
- The performance includes selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and traditional Christmas carols.
- Featured student soloists include Mardy Ankeny, Kay Myer, and Yvonne Lersson.
- The chorus is also seeking new members for the spring concert.
A free holiday movie screening will also take place on December 18th, featuring classic holiday cartoons.
Other entertainment news includes:
- A critical review of Cheech & Chong’s latest album, which is called “juvenile and unfunny”.
- A humorous story about an overdue library book from 1942, returned after its original borrower was shot down in WWII.
Sports and Miscellaneous News
- Des Moines Area Community College’s basketball team is recruiting players from all campuses.
- The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) warns that federal education funding may be cut in 1976, possibly impacting financial aid programs.
- A student initiative is advocating for better communication between DMACC and students, following confusion over classroom assignments and cancellations.
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